The Skelly Drive and Harvard Avenue intersection will undergo a major renovation when I-44 eventually is widened to six lanes through the area. The intersection congests heavily during most of the day, with southbound traffic jams more than a half mile in length during peak hours. Northbound traffic also congests in the left-turn lane, but it usually clears out with the green arrow. Combined with 51st Street and Harvard Avenue to the south, this area is noted for heavy congestion. The northbound signals were the "square" lights until early 1980, at which time the present signals were installed. This conversion was made at the same time as the green-arrow conversion at 51st Street and Harvard Avenue. Several businesses at this intersection include Jiffy Lube, Shoney's Restaurant (just east), and the Best Western Trade Winds Inn East and Best Western Trade Winds Inn Central (west of Harvard Avenue). The Patrick Henry Apartments are on the west side of Harvard Avenue in the distance (just beyond the Texaco station). The westbound I-44 bridge is visible at the top. Notice the drainage patterns on the bridge (where the water runs off the bridge is black compared to the areas where the railing mounts are). Photo taken May 1986.
