A 1999 resurfacing and restriping project transformed the once dangerous 51st Street and Lewis Avenue intersection into one with much-needed left-turn signals, which improved traffic flow at the intersection. The intersection received the new lanes through a resurfacing project and modified signals instead of a major widening project. Specifically, the left lane for each direction on 51st Street was transformed into a left-turn lane with a signal. The right lane became the through lane from which right turns also are permitted. Northbound traffic on Lewis Avenue received right-turn arrows for the right-turn lane that already was present, while the no-left-turn sign remains in place. This project is an interim soultuion for the intersection until a time when I-44 is widened to six lanes threough the area. The I-44 project, which still is several years away in this area, will include a new bridge on Lewis Avenue and improvements to this intersection. Photo taken August 2003.
DEVELOPING TULSA: THE AUSTIN HELLWIG COLLECTION
