The new intersection at Houston Street (81st St.) and Olive Avenue (129th E. Ave.) is now open, as of Oct. 15.

Traffic lanes in all directions are accessible, but the city urges motorists to pay attention to the work zone signs regarding left turns.  

The intersection is a part of a larger scale widening project on Houston Street, from Olive Avenue to Garnett Road.

The project includes widening the roadway to five lanes from Garnett Road to Olive Avenue, adding a sidewalk, installing ADA ramps at the intersection, performing concrete work at the driveway returns, and adding new traffic signals, signage, and pavement markings near the Houston Street and Olive Avenue intersection. 

It also connects existing sidewalks on the south side of Houston Street, demonstrating the city’s commitment to connectivity. The city is working to connect as many neighborhoods as possible to enhance residents' access and improve walkability throughout the city.

A northbound and southbound partial lane closure at the corner of Olive Avenue and Houston Street was put in place in January to accommodate the construction. Significant stormwater drainage improvements under the intersection were necessary due to the nearby creek, which wasn’t possible with the traffic continuing in all directions.

The intersection was closed longer than expected due to several factors, including weather, difficulties in moving an underground utility line, and the need for a safety barrier where Houston Street crosses a nearby creek.

“The weather affected the project several months ago, but there is an underground utility line that we’ve had an extremely difficult time getting the owner of the line to remove,” City Manager Michael Spurgeon said on the Sept. 30 edition of the BA Breakdown on KRMG Radio. “We just actually completed a redesign for safety improvements. Instead of guardrails, we’re putting in a barrier. So, from everything I’m being told by my staff, we should have this project completed in early 2026.”

City of Broken Arrow Construction Division Manager Nate Kohl provided additional information on the project’s timeline.

First, the project slowed early due to spring rains. “It was the wettest three months on record,” Kohl said.

This project is one of several projects delayed due to an unusual amount of rain in the spring. Then, as previously mentioned there were issues with the underground lines.

“So, it was just that one, big transcontinental line going through the project. It took six months for them to get us an answer, work with us, get out there and do the work before we could even continue on the south side there, and that slowed us down quite a bit,” Kohl said.

The contractor finished the southern half of the intersection, and everything was proceeding on schedule despite the delays.

“And then we found the guardrail that wasn't accounted for in the original plan, so we had to design a parapet wall,” Kohl said.

A parapet wall is a concrete barrier with drainage holes at the bottom. It is significantly stronger than guardrails and prevents drivers from veering off the road into the creek.

“We had to coordinate between the contractor and the consultant to design the parapet wall,” Kohl said. “We all met on-site probably three times, to make it right. So that was the delay there.”

The parapet wall is still under construction.

“Once that's done, we will be able to open up all of the intersections with the traffic lighting system," Kohl said. "They have to get their signal poles installed, and they are currently pouring the bases for them."

Once the signal poles arrive and are installed, the intersection will be fully opened. Currently, they are working on the curb and gutter, as well as the 10-foot-wide walking path extending from Olive Avenue down to Garnett Road.

“So, they're moving, and then it'll just be mill, overlay, and we're done,” Kohl said.

The Houston Street Widening Project between Garnett Road and Olive Avenue is one of the 17 Transportation projects of the 2018 General Obligation Bond package that are currently underway and in various stages of development.

Becco Contractors is the contractor for the project and the lowest responsible bidder at $5.7 million. Kohl expects the project to be finished sometime in February.