The 41st Street intersection with Skelly Drive (I-44) is the scene of much congestion and a narrow bridge with a deteriorating bridge deck. Unlike most other I-44 intersections, 41st Street crosses the interstate instead of passing under it. The intersection also carries motorists from two arterial streets (Sheridan Road and 41st Street) who wish to access I-44 without using the Broken Arrow Expressway, as Sheridan Road has no direct access to I-44. The only "direct" access at Sheridan Road is the westbound frontage road, and motorists traveling this route must pass through the 41st Street intersection before accessing westbound I-44. A major problem at the intersection is the absence of separate left-turn lanes to access I-44, as the left-through lanes each handle through traffic or motorists wishing to turn left. The green left-turn arrow comes at the end of the cycle, so motorists often have to wait for it before they can make a left turn. There are no funds available to improve the intersection, so the traffic jams likely will be around for a while. Photo taken Novewmber 1983.
DEVELOPING TULSA: THE AUSTIN HELLWIG COLLECTION
