The Jenkins Avenue reconstruction project began Monday, according to a press release from the city of Norman.
The project, part of a 2019 bond issue voted on by the city of Norman, will happen on Jenkins Avenue between Lindsey Street and Imhoff Road. The project will be managed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
In an email from Tiffany Vrska, Norman’s chief communications officer, Tim Miles, city engineer, wrote Jenkins Avenue will be widened to a four-lane roadway and will include an improved storm drainage pipeline system, sidewalk improvements, new decorative traffic signals at Timberdell Road and Stinson Street intersections and landscaping.
The majority-two-lane road will be limited to one lane during the project. Construction will begin on the north end of Jenkins Avenue between Lindsey Street and Timberdell Road, and commuters should expect delays, according to the press release.
Miles wrote the project is estimated to take over a year to complete.
“The project will take more than a year to complete with 540 working days plus additional anticipated weather delays,” Miles wrote. “Very little work will be completed on weekends, but the contractor does not intend to work during major sporting and other events near the construction area.”
Miles wrote the city expects traffic to flow in its normal fashion, and steps are being made to help alleviate predicted congestion.
“Generally, traffic will function similar to what it does today,” Miles wrote. “We are using temporary asphalt widening on the west side of Jenkins Avenue to maintain two-way traffic between Constitution Street and Lindsey Street. Some delays can be expected at the Stinson Street intersection since the traffic signal will need to be removed during construction and a temporary 3-way stop sign intersection will be utilized in its place. We are making every effort to minimize delays due to construction.”
The area of construction encompasses several OU athletic sites, including Gaylord-Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Love’s Field and the Lloyd Noble Center. Miles wrote the city plans for construction to have little effect on OU athletics.
“A lot of thought was put into the construction sequencing to minimize construction activities in the immediate area of the sports facility each major sporting event season,” Miles wrote. “For example, construction is starting on the northern end of the project now to get as much of the northern part of the project completed before football season starts. Similarly, construction is also staying north of Constitution Street now to minimize impacts to the women’s softball season.”
The project also encompasses several OU residence halls, including Headington Hall, Headington College and Cross Center. While student commutes will be affected by the project, Miles wrote Jenkins Avenue will still be accessible.
“Pedestrian and vehicular accessibility will be maintained at all times to the parking lots/garages and dormitories,” Miles wrote. “Students may need to use a different drive or sidewalk while certain drives or sidewalks are being reconstructed. Students, pedestrians and motorists are asked to stay aware of surroundings and adhere to all signage placed for safety.”
Miles wrote the reason the project was undertaken is because the pavement and existing base in the area is in poor condition and needs to be reconstructed.
“There are existing drainage issues along the corridor that need to be addressed with the next roadway reconstruction project,” Miles wrote. “Increased capacity and safety has been incorporated into the project, as well as better bike/pedestrian accommodations.”
Miles wrote the goals of the project include improving existing storm drain infrastructure, bike and pedestrian safety, the overall safety, traffic capacity and accessibility of Jenkins Avenue and beautification of the area.
Despite the construction being estimated to take over a year to complete, Miles wrote the project will have “minimal or no impacts” on first-year move-in in August.
“The project is being coordinated closely with OU and freshman move-in is on the list of items we are currently discussing,” Miles wrote. “We anticipate minimal or no impacts will occur during the move-in. It appears most of the work by Headington Hall will be completed by this timeframe. If not, we will aim to change up some construction phasing as we approach move-in to avoid disrupting this event.”
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure, Ismael Lele and Ana Barboza. Geethika Kollu and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
