MUSKOGEE, Okla. — An Oklahoma Department of Transportation project along Highway 69 in Muskogee updates when planned construction will begin.
When 2 News Oklahoma first reported on the project in 2025, ODOT planned to begin work in late 2025. The project has not started, prompting questions from residents about the delay.
WATCH: ON HOLD: ODOT delays start of Highway 69 widening project in Muskogee:
“We need it now. We really need the expansion because it really hurts people that can’t get in and out,” Muskogee resident Sue McBride said.
According to ODOT, the widening project will construct about one mile of Highway 69, expanding the roadway from two lanes to three lanes in each direction. While the full project is about 2.5 miles.
Plans also include adding sidewalks, replacing the pedestrian bridge, and lowering the roadway beneath the bridge so oversized loads can remain on Highway 69 instead of detouring through city streets.
ODOT also said the project aims to reduce traffic congestion along one of Muskogee’s busiest corridors.
2 News asked why construction didn't start as originally planned. ODOT spokesperson TJ Gerlach said funding and rising costs delayed the project, “A lot of projects get pushed back a year or two. It’s just the nature of available funding."
Gerlach said inflation also contributed to the delay. He said construction is now expected to begin in Oct of 2026, with completion scheduled for the fall of 2028.
Despite the timeline, Gerlach said the scope of the project did not change.
For McBride, the delay is frustrating as traffic continues to grow.
“I’d like to have it done as soon as we could. It would help us all,” McBride said.
Clifton Haskin is your Muskogee reporter.
Is there something you think he should know about or look into?
You can email him at clifton.haskin@kjrh.com.
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