Robinson Street to be reduced to one lane in each direction between Flood Avenue and Stubbeman Avenue beginning September 11

UPDATE, 2/23/24: A general reopening of Robinson Street is expected to occur by March 15, pending weather. Drivers should still expect intermittent lane closures through the completion of this project, however, which the community should see in June. Project delays have been experienced due to cold temperatures and precipitation. Managing community partners at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation are working with a contractor to complete the project.

 

POSTED 8/25/23: Beginning Monday, September 11, 2023, Robinson Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction, between Flood Avenue and Stubbeman Avenue.  The lane reduction is to accommodate storm sewer modifications and the construction of the new James Garner Avenue Bridge over Robinson Street in conjunction with the James Garner Avenue Norman Forward Project.  Bridge construction will take approximately four months to complete.   Traffic operations will vary, in the area, as bridge construction progresses.  Robinson Street will never be fully closed and at least one lane will always remain open in each direction. Therefore, travelers are cautioned to observe all construction zone signage and to find alternate routes when practical. 

Questions can be directed to 405.366.5453.

 

History of the Project

On October 13, 2015, Norman Voters approved the $150 million, 15-year, Norman Forward Sales Tax initiative.  The program outlined various citywide projects to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Norman.  One of these projects is the James Garner Avenue – Acres Street to Flood Avenue project.  The current construction cost for the project is approximately $7.9 million.  Of that, approximately $4.8 million, will be paid from federal grant funds, and the remainder will be paid with Norman Forward Funds.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation conducted a bid opening on October 20, 2022, for the James Garner Avenue Norman Forward Project.  The low bidder was Redlands Contracting, LLC of Warr Acres, Oklahoma.  ODOT awarded the project on November 7, 2022.  This project has a 460-calendar day construction schedule, which will likely result in summer 2024 completion.  The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is administering the construction of this project, with the assistance of Smith Roberts Baldischwiler. 

Proposed improvements for the James Garner Phase 2 Norman Forward Project include:

  • Construction of a new roadway extension of James Garner Avenue beginning from just north of Acres Street adjacent to the Norman Municipal Library and extending north of Robinson Street to connect to Flood Avenue.
  • New multilane roundabout intersection between the Flood Avenue and the new James Garner extension
  • A new vehicular and pedestrian bridge over Robinson Street with aesthetics honoring James Garner as the roadway’s namesake.      
  • Reconstruction and extension of the Legacy Trail with improved pedestrian lighting.
  • Low Impact Development such as plantings and landscaping in the roadway medians and at bridge abutments to filter runoff and help prevent erosion.
  • Reconfigured connections between local streets from Johnson Street to Himes Street.
  • Decorative roadway lighting and landscaping.

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