Construction to begin Monday on East Gore Boulevard pedestrian bridge

Work is set to begin Monday on a new pedestrian bridge crossing Interstate 44 at East Gore Boulevard, meaning some changes for drivers in that area.

The project, being coordinated by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, will include a 10-foot-wide bridge adjacent to the vehicular bridge, along with sidewalks and pedestrian push buttons on the sidewalk crossing the I-44 entry ramp to I-44 westbound (running south) and eastbound (running north), City of Lawton officials said.

Eastbound drivers on East Gore Boulevard will see lane closures during sidewalk installation and replacement of concrete panels in the Gore driving lanes. Lanes on Interstate 44 will remain open, but barrier walls will be placed along the inside and outside shoulders to protect work in the median and adjacent areas, ODOT officials said.

The start of construction marks the beginning of a project that city officials have been pursuing for more than five years.

East Lawton residents have said many people walk or bike along East Gore Boulevard, and must use a narrow shoulder when they cross the vehicular bridge. But City Council members also have said the project is important to counteract the dangers posed to pedestrians who try to walk across the interstate below, despite fencing put into place to prevent that practice. Two pedestrians have died trying to walk across the interstate.

City officials said ODOT’s concerns about pedestrians is the reason that state entity agreed to provide matching funds for construction. ODOT agreed earlier this year to increase its allocation to the project because of increases in construction materials. ODOT is providing $1,560,934 toward the cost of construction, with the City of Lawton covering the remainder from its 2019 Capital Improvements Program.

ODOT awarded the $2.415 million contract to Haskell Lemon Group LLC earlier this year. Completion is expected by January 2025, weather permitting.