The 51st Street and Garnett Road intersection underwent a major widening project in 1989-90 that resulted in closure of the intersection for the duration of the project. The 1985 sales tax project involved widening the intersection to four lanes with left- and right-turn lanes on each approach. The culvert under the intersection was replaced with a large reinforced-concrete box bridge, and 51st Street was widened to five lanes between Garnett Road and the Mingo Valley Expressway. Due to the bridge work, the intersection was closed for the duration of the project, although some portions opened as they were completed. The northeast quadrant remained open (except during its reconstruction) to connect to the two streets, and this later was followed by the opening of the southwest quadrant. However, traffic could not cross the intersection to access the opposite side until the project was completed in June 1990. This is the last project presently funded on Garnett Road, although others likely will be included in future sales tax or bond issue packages. Photograph taken September 1990.
