Sheridan and Robinson to Reopen … But ….
First, some good news from the folks at Project 180:
Oklahoma City has good news for downtown workers – Robinson between Main and Park and Sheridan between Hudson and Robinson will reopen to traffic on Wednesday, April 18.
Traffic will be two-way on Robinson from Sheridan to Park. The portion of Robinson from Park to Kerr will remain one-way so OG&E crews can replace circuits. Once complete, the rest of Robinson will transition to two-way traffic. Sheridan will also open to two-way traffic.
Crews will continue installing landscaping and completing sidewalks along the two streets.
Motorists and pedestrians are advised to be particularly careful as they adjust to the change.
“Remembering to look both ways before crossing Robinson could be a challenge for downtown walkers and cyclists,” said Public Works Director Eric Wenger. “The same goes for motorists when they experience oncoming traffic on Robinson for the first time. Changing decades-long driving and walking habits won’t happen overnight. Motorists and pedestrians need to be vigilant and yield to each other during this time of transition.”
According to Wenger, work is wrapping up on phase four of Project 180, with phase five expected to be complete by the end of this year. Drivers and workers should experience fewer closed streets this fall.
NOW…. FOR THE OTHER PART OF THIS STORY NOT IN THE PRESS RELEASE….
Some OKC Central readers have noticed that the sidewalk on the east side of Robinson between Main and Park Avenue was not being torn up by contractors. They wondered – will the sidewalk still be rebuilt?
The answer, from Shannon Cox, spokeswoman for Project 180, is that engineers decided to leave the sidewalk untouched as it crosses the basements of First National Center and the Oil & Gas Building following expensive delays experienced with sidewalks crossing other basements along Main Street west of Hudson Avenue. This section of sidewalk will NOT be rebuilt.
With money short, this might make sense. But then will the old I.M. Pei globe lights from the early 1970s be left in place amidst the remaining Project 180 upgrades? It seems as if the addition of street furniture and new lighting to match the rest of the street would be a common sense move.
Shannon said she’s uncertain about this question and will get back to us.
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Thanks for staying on top of this Steve