Heads up, Norman residents and commuters: Starting September 22, James Garner Avenue will be closed between Main Street and Gray Street for construction. This is part of a project to turn Gray Street into a two-way road from University Avenue to Porter Avenue. During this phase, you won’t be able to drive through that part of James Garner Avenue. Gray Street will stay partly open, with one westbound lane still available., as stated by the City of Norman.
The intersection at Gray Street and James Garner Avenue is getting a full upgrade. They're removing the split lanes on James Garner, adding new sidewalks, and improving the look with decorative paving and lighting. But it’s not just about looks—there will also be new traffic signals and signs to make things safer for pedestrians. The work includes adding temporary pavement to connect everything, and it should take about 30 days to finish—hopefully keeping the disruption short, as reported by the City of Norman.
Funding for this construction comes from a combination of sources. Following a city vote back on April 2, 2019, the Norman community gave the green light to a Bond Issue meant to bankroll nineteen transportation projects, and this Gray Street upgrade is one piece of that puzzle. The price tag sits at a cool $7.5 million, with federal grants covering about $4.9 million and the City of Norman's 2019 Bond Program pitching in the remaining $2.6 million. According to the City of Norman's official announcement, Ellsworth Construction, LLC of Oklahoma City snagged the low bid and has been getting their hands dirty since August 2024. Expected to wrap up by November 2025, this work is just one part of the larger puzzle that aims to improve Norman's transportation landscape.
