Upgrades along H.E. Bailey will slow traffic between Fletcher, Newcastle

Work to upgrade sections of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike between Fletcher and Newcastle will cause headaches for drivers this summer.

But the end result will be better and safer shoulders that will complement the new 80 mph speed now in effect in that area, state officials said.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority voted earlier this month to approve two projects totaling $18.1 million, with both projects focused on upgrades to shoulders and guard railing along the interstate. Lisa Shearer-Salim, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, said turnpike authority members unanimously awarded a $8.9 million project to T.J. Campbell Construction and a $9.2 million project to Haskell Lemon Group LLC. Both contracts included the cost of construction, as well as early incentives to finish their work before the projected late fall completion time.

T.J. Campbell Construction will handle the work that stretches just northwest of Oklahoma 92 near Chickasha to 1 mile northwest of the highway to Newcastle. Shearer-Salim said work is expected to begin Aug. 5, “although it might start a bit earlier,” with completion expected by late fall. The contract will include shoulder and guard rail improvements on the interstate, as well as a mile-long stretch between West Country Club Road and U.S. 277/South 4th Street near and within Chickasha.

She said construction along the 6-mile stretch will be done in 2-mile segments, to lessen the impact on drivers who will be limited to one travel lane in work areas.

“It will be a moving operation,” she said, explaining the contractor will work in a 2-mile section, then pick up and move to a new section. “Traffic will have some relief in the work zones.”

Haskell Lemon Group’s contract will be similar, with work focusing on County Street 2700 (north of Fletcher) to Pikes Peak Road (south of Chickasha), local roads that don’t access the interstate, but are nearby (Shearer-Salim said roughly Mile Markers 62 to 78). Work is expected to begin in July, at the latest.

Shearer-Salim said both projects are focused on the “heavy maintenance” necessary to improve the shoulders, while also widening them a bit.

“So they can be used more in emergency situations,” she said, explaining better shoulders will allow drivers to pull over for crashes, necessary stops or for “whatever reason” in a safe manner.

Shearer-Salim said drivers can expect to see reduced speeds in work areas because they are active work zones — meaning workers will be present — so travelers may want to plan for additional driving time and expect delays.

But, the work has another up side. Shearer-Salim said the upgrades will help the Turnpike Authority complete the preparations necessary for the increased speed on the turnpike, which went into effect between Lawton and Chickasha on Thursday.

“That is all part of that process,” she said.