Webster Avenue to be temporarily closed to through traffic at Gray Street beginning April 14, 2025

A portion of N. Webster Avenue between W. Gray Street and W. Tonhawa Street will be closed April 14 through April 17 to facilitate construction of new storm drainage at the intersection.  The City of Norman Development Center parking lot, as well as the City of Norman’s drive-thru payment window (for utility customers), will still be accessible when approaching from Tonhawa or the north side of the closure. Travelers are advised to follow all detour and construction signage to avoid delays.

History of the Project

On April 2, 2019, the citizens of Norman voted in favor of a Bond Issue to finance the local share of nineteen transportation improvement projects. The Gray Street Two-Way 2019 Bond Project consists of the conversion of Gray Street from a one-way street to a two-way street between University Avenue and Porter Avenue, and the installation of streetscape elements along Gray Street.  The intersection with James Garner Avenue will be entirely reconstructed to accommodate the future James Garner Phase 3 2019 Bond Project.  In addition to the roadway and streetscape work, improvements are required to the railroad crossing just east of James Garner Avenue. 

The total construction cost for the project is approximately $7.5 million.  Of that, approximately $4.9 million will be paid by federal grants.  The remaining $2.6 million will be paid for through the City of Noman 2019 Bond Program.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation conducted a bid opening on March 21, 2024, for the Gray Street Two-Way 2019 Bond Project.  The low bidder was Ellsworth Construction, LLC of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  ODOT awarded the project on April 1, 2024.  Construction started on Monday, August 5, 2024, and there are 360 calendar days in the project.  This timeframe will likely require just over a year to complete.  The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is administering the construction of this project, with the assistance of WSB. 

Proposed improvements include:

  • New sidewalks
  • Conversion to reverse angle parking for on-street spaces
  • New decorative roadway lighting
  • Landscaping
  • Decorative paving elements
  • New curb and gutter
  • New Decorative Traffic Signals
  • Pedestrian safety improvements
  • Revised signing and striping for two-way operation
  • Reconstruction of the James Garner intersection
  • New gates and controls for two-way operation of the railroad crossing