The 51st Street and Memorial Drive intersection took on a new look following a traffic signal conversion in July 1985. The first part of the conversion occurred in August 1984 with the installation of new southbound signals, including a pole and mast arm. The remaining three directions received new signals, poles and mast arms in July 1985, which made this intersection the first to have the left-turn signals converted, right-turn arrows deleted where applicable and then have a complete new set of signals installed later. Traffic still congests at the intersection, but the Mingo Valley Expressway should be extended to 71st Street by the late 1980s, as contracts are scheduled to be awarded soon for the initial phases of this project. The expressway extension should improve traffic flow at this intersection. In the background, a new office building now stands at 51st Street and 76th East Avenue, and a traffic signal also has been installed at that intersection. Photo taken June 1986.
DEVELOPING TULSA: THE AUSTIN HELLWIG COLLECTION
