Possible change in I-244 Arkansas River bridge project

TULSA - A possible change in plans is in the works for a pedestrian and bike trail near Downtown Tulsa.

Everything is still under construction at the site of the new double-deck multi-modal bridge at I-244 over the Arkansas River.

But the original planned trail is supposed to connect with the River Parks trail on both ends of the dual I-244 bridges.

Construction along the new westbound I-244 has been ongoing for months and is not expected to be complete until early 2015.

The original plan called for two pedestrian-bicycle trails that would go underneath both the east and westbound bridges.

Randle White with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) said the original plan was made with public input in mind.

But now, the proposed revised design plan would do away with the trail underneath the eastbound bridge, replacing it with an overlook.

The bottom line is money.

White said it's trying to "more efficiently" use available construction funding.

"We're going back to the public and we're asking them to put a viewing platform there that goes 3--5 spans into river," White said. "There will be a viewing area where you can view the architecture details of the 11th Street Bridge."

ODOT wants your opinion on the proposed change.  Just send them an email by Nov.13.  The address is environment@ODOT.org .