| Updated: 10/30/2012 6:16 pm |
Published: 10/30/2012 6:08 pm
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Federal and State lawmakers came together Monday to get a look at the progress on construction on I-44 near Lewis Avenue.
"Our interstates are our lifeline for commerce in this country,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley. “Certainly for economic development in Oklahoma."
"It's not just Oklahoma,” said U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe. “This is a major pass through, and as they pass through that contributes to our economy."
They're hoping the nearly $400-million project will get the wheels turning for business along the major interstate and put the brakes on number of accidents there.
"The section we had before was not a safe place to drive,” said Gary Ridley. “It was a high accident location."
The state will be widening the interstate to six lanes and building new ramps. Ridley says the inconvenience now will pay off in the end.
"The cost of not doing something far exceeds the cost of doing something," he told FOX23.
The construction is expected to last until early 2014.
The state says once I-44 is finished, improvements will continue on I-244.
