Gilcrease Expwy Extension $$ Approved!

[dsjeffries]

Finally, some work is going to be done!

quote:From Tulsa World (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080205_1_A9_spanc82066):

Gilcrease Expressway extension funds OK'd

By ANGEL RIGGS World Capitol Bureau
2/5/2008

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Work along the Gilcrease Expressway extension is set to continue with the Oklahoma Transportation Commission's approval Monday of more than $9 million.

Edmond-based Duit Construction Co. was awarded the contract to build just more than two miles of roadway between the L.L. Tisdale Parkway and North Lewis Avenue.

Work is expected to begin in six to eight weeks and should take about seven months to complete.

The project is a partnership between the federal government, the city of Tulsa, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Indian Nations Council of Governments, said Kenna Mitchell, an ODOT spokeswoman.

[sgrizzle]

The section they are referring to can be seen on this map:

http://www.incog.org/Transportation/destination2030/maps/2-2030RoadwaysPlan.pdf

It's the blue dashed line running E-W north of the IDL.

[cannon_fodder]

For what's it's worth work has been ongoing for a good while now from about Lewis to Peoria.  The Lewis overpass is nearly complete and I imagine they wrap up that interchange in the next 6 months or so.

Odds of them funding the entire loops?  It looks like the funding stops at the Tisdale but the plan goes around, over the river, and into 44.  Which makes sense, it always seemed odd the way the highways just ended.  That would do much to develop Sand Springs and fill in the West side I'd imagine.

[tulsa_fan]

I've got my fingers crossed they bring it all the way over, it would be great for Prattville (South Sand Springs)  Doubt I'll ever see it though!  Can hope!

[sgrizzle]

The other end of the gilcrease expressway exists, for a mile at least, coming off of I-44. They have also been doing some minor relocation work on that end as well.

[breitee]

quote:Originally posted by tulsa_fan

I've got my fingers crossed they bring it all the way over, it would be great for Prattville (South Sand Springs)  Doubt I'll ever see it though!  Can hope!

Agreed. How long is it going to take to finish? It has only been on the drawing board for over thirty years.

[perspicuity85]

Eventually part of the loop is supposed to have an interchange with 41st W. Ave. or Apache St. near the new botanical garden.  It would be nice to see development along the expressway corridor in the botanical garden's vicinity.  Between the botanical garden, Gilcrease Museum, and close proximity of Downtown and Skiatook Lake, the whole area seems ripe for residential development.  The rolling hills in that area give great views of the skyline at night.

[SXSW]

Eventually part of the loop is supposed to have an interchange with 41st W. Ave. or Apache St. near the new botanical garden.  It would be nice to see development along the expressway corridor in the botanical garden's vicinity.  Between the botanical garden, Gilcrease Museum, and close proximity of Downtown and Skiatook Lake, the whole area seems ripe for residential development.  The rolling hills in that area give great views of the skyline at night.

Work is progressing..

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100112_11_A11_TheOkl129088&archive=yes

[sgrizzle]

Apparently OTA has their eye on this road now:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100218_11_0_Fundin415472

[buckeye]

That hilly part of the west side is going to explode over the next years.  It's a very pretty setting, just not as much quick, easy freeway access.  Once that's in place...

[Red Arrow]

Quick, put in light rail.

[SXSW]

That hilly part of the west side is going to explode over the next years.  It's a very pretty setting, just not as much quick, easy freeway access.  Once that's in place...

Hopefully the hillier areas become nicer neighborhoods like the ones in west Austin where the homes have amazing views of downtown and the river.  I can see more bland subdivisions getting built on the flatter land just north of Edison and along 33rd W. Ave, and also just north of Apache.

The comprehensive plan for NW Tulsa with the Gilcrease Loop shows Pine and Apache being extended west to meet up with the highway, and Gilcrease Museum Rd. which would be extended north.  The plan also shows 41st W. Ave. extended south to connect to 49th W. Ave. where there is an interchange with 412; 41st W. Ave. already continues north past where the highway will intersect and becomes 52nd W. Ave. which takes you north to Lake Skiatook.  There is also a 'regional park' shown north of the Pine extension.  I think they should work with Osage County and Sand Springs to expand the 220 acres where the Centennial Botanical Gardens are located just northwest of N. 31st St. & 41st W. Ave. to encompass more of the hills and canyons to the west for hiking/mountain biking trails and create a true regional park on par with Mohawk, Chandler, and Turkey Mountain..



When they built the Creek South Loop they included a jogging/biking trail in the right-of-way, I hope they do the same with the Gilcrease Loop as it could provide another river crossing for bikers/joggers and connect to both the KATY and Midland Valley trails.

[SXSW]

Just as I always heard about the 'future' Gilcrease Loop I also remember hearing about a proposed expressway to Skiatook and that the L.L. Tisdale Parkway is the first leg of such a highway.  This is the first time I've seen the ROW shown on a planning map though, as the 'Osage Expressway'.  The map also shows the Gilcrease Loop and Pine/Apache and 41st W. Ave./Gilcrease Museum Rd. all being extended to meet up with the highway.
http://www.incog.org/mapping/Major%20St%20Hwy/Major%20Street%20&%20Highway%20Plan%20Map.pdf

Also, I found this proposed development called Northwest Crossing to be located just south of the Gilcrease extension where it intersects with the L.L. Tisdale.  I wonder if there are other proposals just like this for new housing and/or commercial developments waiting for the highway to open?  The land in this area south of 36th St. N. and north of Apache west of the L.L. Tisdale and Reservoir Hill is on a big plateau and has some great views for future homes..