City getting closer to May Avenue bridge makeover; looks to community for input

A new look is coming to the May Avenue NW Expressway bridge, but not without input from the people who use it.  

The City of Oklahoma is relying on the community to help create a new design for the bridge all while making significant improvements for safety and traffic flow.

RELATED: City leaders seek public input for NW OKC May Avenue bridge project

A Wake Up Call

It is a project that began about three years ago but the bridge accident in 2016 would reveal the need for other changes.  

“In the past we’ve had issues with it being hit because it’s too low so we’re in the process of reconstructing the bridge and we are also doing improvements to the on and off ramps,” said the City of Oklahoma Director of Public Works Debbie Miller.   

Back in 2016 a semi-truck with a tall load hit the May Avenue bridge over NW Expressway.  

Fire officials said the boom lift on the semi was too tall to make the additional four-inch clearance causing it to collapse.  

Friday, Miller said clearance is one of a few changes the city plans to make.  

“We’re going to raise the bridge up to where we have a 19-feet clearance. It’s the standard clearance. We’re also going to provide access going eastbound on NW Expressway to get off at May Avenue,” added Miller.

The Plan

The city wants to look at a completely new bridge design and Miller said not without the input of the public.  

Miller said, “We’re using the NEPA process which is the environmental process to get the input from the public to see what options they’re interested in.” 

She said the City has been awarded over 11 million dollars in funding for the project with some of the money coming from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments.  

Miller add the city is also looking at the pedestrian traffic in the area and providing crosswalks, trails, and connections to NW Expressway.

She said the construction is set to begin for either 2027-2028. The plan is to keep traffic open but Miller asks for those using the route to be patient in the process. 

Have Your Say

The deadline for all comments regarding the new design has been extended through April 25, 2025, to be considered in the project development. 

You can visit okc.gov for more information.