Portion of James Garner to close for reconstruction of Gray Street Intersection

Beginning September 22, 2025, James Garner Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Main Street and Gray Street. This closure is to accommodate the first phase of the reconstruction of James Garner Avenue and Gray Street as part of the Gray Street Two-Way 2019 Bond Project. Gray Street will remain open but will be reduced to one westbound lane at the intersection of this area.

This phase of the intersection construction includes reconstruction of the south half of the Gray Street/James Garner Avenue intersection, as well as installation of temporary pavement south of Gray Street on James Garner Avenue to tie the new intersection into the existing James Garner alignment. In addition, the existing split lane configuration of James Garner Avenue will be eliminated and converted into a contiguous alignment. This phase of construction is expected to take approximately 30 days. Travelers should follow all detour and construction signage to eliminate delays.

History of the Project

On April 2, 2019, the citizens of Norman voted in favor of a Bond Issue to finance the local share of nineteen transportation improvement projects. The Gray Street Two-Way 2019 Bond Project consists of the conversion of Gray Street from a one-way street to a two-way street between University Avenue and Porter Avenue, and the installation of streetscape elements along Gray Street. The intersection with James Garner Avenue will be entirely reconstructed to accommodate the future James Garner Phase 3 2019 Bond Project. In addition to the roadway and streetscape work, improvements are required to the railroad crossing just east of James Garner Avenue.

The total construction cost for the project is approximately $7.5 million. Of that, approximately $4.9 million will be paid by federal grants. The remaining $2.6 million will be paid for through the City of Noman 2019 Bond Program.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation conducted a bid opening on March 21, 2024, for the Gray Street Two-Way 2019 Bond Project. The low bidder was Ellsworth Construction, LLC of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. ODOT awarded the project on April 1, 2024. Construction started on Monday, August 5, 2024. This work is anticipated to be completed in November 2025. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is administering the construction of this project, with the assistance of WSB.

Proposed improvements include:

• New sidewalks
• Conversion to reverse angle parking for on-street spaces
• New decorative roadway lighting
• Landscaping
• Decorative paving elements
• New curb and gutter
• New Decorative Traffic Signals
• Pedestrian safety improvements
• Revised signing and striping for two-way operation
• Reconstruction of the James Garner intersection
• New gates and controls for two-way operation of the railroad crossing