James Garner Avenue closure between Main Street and Gray Street on Friday, July 24, 2026

James Garner Avenue, between Gray Street and Main Street, will be closed July 24, 2026, for some construction related activities in conjunction with the Gray Street Two-Way project. The work is expected to be completed in one day. Travelers are advised to avoid this area and observe all detour signage during the closure.

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 substantially complete in August 2026. 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