For a brief period in the 1970s, 71st Street and Lewis Avenue was the farthest-south intersection in Tulsa with left-turn signals (after the left-turn signal at 81st Street and Lewis Avenue was eliminated in 1975 and before 71st Street and Memorial Drive was completed in August 1976). The intersection is four lanes on Lewis Avenue with left- and right-turn lanes, while 71st Street is two lanes with a wider asphalt approach at Lewis Avenue that permits a passing lane. Traffic flow is excellent at the intersection now, but it is expected to increase substantially following completion of the 71st Street bridge in early 1984. There are no projects funded to improve 71st Street at this time. Development has occurred at the intersection in recent years, with more on the way. A shopping center on the southwest corner containing a Sipes Grocery, Med-X Drug, the Book Nook and other tenants opened in 1978. To the west of the shopping center, work is beginning on the Kensington development, which will include an office tower, the Sheraton Kensington Hotel and a mall, which will have Sakowitz as a major store. A couple of years ago, the intersection's gas stations included Champlin (still here), DX (demolished and replaced with a 7-Eleven store and gas station), and Way-Lo (now Phillips 66, which features a "Free car wash with Phil-Up."). Immediately east of the Phillips 66 station is a Mazzio's Pizza. United Bank has facilities on the southwest and southeast corners, and an office complex opened in 1981 on 71st Street near Atlanta Avenue. The Directory Hotel can be seen in the distance on the right (behind the southbound signal light pole). Photo taken August 1982.
