Drivers who use the Creek Turnpike near Broken Arrow are about to see major construction on a notoriously bumpy stretch. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority says it’s tackling both maintenance and long-standing drivability issues on the bridges over Haikey Creek.

OTA spokeswoman Lisa Shearer-Salim explains what’s happening, why it’s needed, and how it’ll affect drivers.

A: These are two of the longest bridges on the turnpike system. Since they opened in 2001, drivers have noticed bumpiness, what some call the “roller coaster effect.” That happened because the steel beams didn’t settle as much as expected during construction, creating uneven spots along the bridge.

A: Crews will:

Replace the concrete beams and bridge deck

Repair the bridge substructure

Replace parapets (side barriers)

Fi

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