Bumpy portion of Creek Turnpike will be smoothed out in upcoming road project

Some drivers are glad to hear construction is coming to a bumpy part of the Creek Turnpike. The state is fixing the bridges over Haikey Creek, which are uneven.

What's wrong with the roads?

A stretch of the Creek Turnpike leading in and out of Broken Arrow is very bumpy. It's been that way for years.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is planning to address it in a $72 million project.

"In that area, I have to slow down because you definitely notice the bumps," said Jennifer Peters, a driver. "You definitely notice the car bouncing, you feel like you're going to bounce off the road or something like that."

When will the project start, and how long will it last?

The OTA expects to begin construction in October and finish in 2027. Drivers can expect slowdowns and lane changes during construction.

Why have the roads been so bumpy for so long?

The bumps were never a part of the original plan. The OTA says beams placed in the original 2001 construction of the bridges were supposed to level out evenly.

"They were designed that way, but they just didn't relax once the concrete decking was set," said Jessica Lyle, an OTA spokesperson.

Why does the OTA think now is the right time to fix the roads?

"It's 25 years old," said Lyle. "This is right on par for the lifespan of the bridge to undergo its first major rehabilitation."

Part of the construction will include replacing more than 480 of the concrete beams to make the drive smoother.