City of Stillwater NEWS | For Immediate Release
University Avenue to officially open Monday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
University Avenue / Photo by Kyle Buthrod
(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Oct. 1, 2009) — The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. at the corner of Knoblock Street and University Avenue to celebrate the reopening of University Avenue.
The $3.6 million University Avenue Reconstruction project was jointly financed by the Stillwater's Half-Cent Sales Tax Transportation Fund and Oklahoma State University.
OSU President Burns Hargis said, "The University Avenue Project is a great example of how the city and OSU can be effective partners and provide much needed improvements that benefit Stillwater residents and visitors and OSU's students, employees and alumni. We appreciate the city’s leadership on this important project."
Stillwater City Councilor Tom Williams said, "University Avenue is absolutely beautiful. It is hard to overstate how wonderful the improvements are. As someone who drives on University a lot, I can say it is now a pleasure to turn onto it. The design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it increases safety for pedestrians and drivers alike."
Vice Mayor Tom Dugger agreed. "I am especially proud of this project. Improvements made to University Avenue show our commitment to planning and implementing infrastructure improvement projects, which we know drive civic and business interests and help the community thrive."
Designed by The Benham Companies, LLC of Oklahoma City, and constructed by Rudy Construction Company of Oklahoma City, the project included the following:
- Storm drainage improvements on University and Hester
- Water line relocation/replacement along University and up Knoblock to Maple
- Sanitary sewer replacement on University in front of Bennett Chapel
- Access modifications to the Student Union Parking Garage
- Center median with left turn lanes will be added to improve traffic flow and enhance safety
- New ADA-compliant sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, crosswalks and audible pedestrian signals
- Decorative pavement crosswalks and street lighting
- Additional turn lanes on Hester
- Signal upgrades at Monroe and Hester including video detection and emergency vehicle pre-emption
University Avenue is one of the most important corridors for Stillwater and Oklahoma State. Not only is it important to the campus and Greek community, it provides access to businesses at Campus Corner and those in the Washington Street business area.
City Manager Dan Galloway said, "The city's Public Works Department understood how important University Avenue is to Stillwater residents and the OSU community, and they were diligent in making sure that the project finished on time. I'm very proud of their hard work."
Speakers at the ribbon cutting will include President Hargis, Mayor Nathan Bates and City Manager Galloway.
For more information, call (405) 742-8362 or e-mail news@stillwater.org.
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University Avenue Project 'ahead of schedule'
University Avenue & Hester Street
(STILLWATER, OKLA / July 22, 2009) — The City of Stillwater reports that the University Avenue reconstruction and drainage improvement project is ahead of schedule, and if the weather cooperates the project will be completed without any impact to OSU home football games this fall.
“We began the project in early January and have worked aggressively to meet a number of planned milestones throughout the project,” said Public Works Director Ralph Kinder.
The first milestone concerned the section from Monroe Street to Washington. Work on the intersection at Monroe and University was completed and open to traffic in April, while the installation of sidewalks was completed earlier this summer.
The second milestone concerned the section from Washington to Hester. Last week crews completed work for the subgrade stabilization, installation of the edge drain, open-graded base installation, and installation of curb and gutter.
Kinder said, “The contractor is working diligently to complete work on this section in order to minimize traffic impacts on the start of the OSU fall semester.”
The final phase of the project is the section from Hester to Knoblock. Anticipated work for this section includes storm drain installation, subgrade stabilization, and installation of the edge drain.
“As currently scheduled this section of roadway will be completed well in advance of OSU Homecoming weekend,” Kinder said.
The contractor for the University Avenue project is Rudy Construction Company, and the Benham Companies LLC served as designer.
For more information about city-sponsored transportation projects visit the City of Stillwater web site at Stillwater.org and follow the “Transportation” tab.
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City of Stillwater NEWS | For Immediate Release
University Avenue Update as of Jan. 26
(STILLWATER, OKLA / Jan. 26, 2009) — Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 27, Rudy Construction (Contractor for the City) will be closing University Avenue between Monroe Street and Knoblock Street. During this time, access to the Student Union Parking Garage will be available from Hester (north of University Ave.) only.
Additional details including the construction schedule and phasing maps are posted (and will be updated) on the City of Stillwater's web site under the following tabs: Transportation, under “Current Projects, University Ave.
- Project Narrative (download .pdf)
- Reconstruction Project Schedule (download . pdf)
- Phase I map (download .pdf)
- Phase IIA map (Revision: Knoblock will be open until Feb. 2.) (download .pdf)
The roadway is scheduled to be reopened in September. For more information, contact Theron Smith (City of Stillwater) at (405) 533-8439.
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Groundbreaking Ceremony for University Avenue begins project
(STILLWATER, OKLA / Jan. 14, 2009) — To celebrate the beginning of the University Avenue Reconstruction project, the following VIPs participated in the groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 14 at the corner of Hester Street and University Avenue. (l to r)Vice Mayor Tom Dugger; District 34 Representative Cory Williams; Design Engineer Russell Beatty; City Manager Dan Galloway; OSU President Burns Hargis; Mayor Roger McMillian; OSU Associate Vice President of Administration & Finance Joe Weaver; Benham Companies Senior Vice President Alan Soltani; Rudy Construction Vice President Doug Walker.
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Groundbreaking Ceremony for University Avenue Reconstruction slated for Jan. 14 at 9 a.m.
The public is invited to the southwest corner of Hester Street and University Avenue.
(STILLWATER, OKLA / Jan. 9, 2009) — The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the University Avenue Reconstruction Project to be held Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. on the southwest corner of Hester Street and University Avenue.
Project update:
- Phase I – Reconstruction on Hester St. near the OSU Parking Garage entrance began Jan. 5 and is scheduled for completion Jan. 20. Hester St., north of University Ave. is closed to through traffic.
- Phase II – Reconstruction of University Ave., Monroe St. to Knoblock St., the south leg of Hester St., and the north leg of Knoblock St. will start upon completion of Phase I.
University Ave. will be closed during Phase II. The OSU Parking Garage will be accessed via Hester St.
- The south sidewalk (Monroe St. to the southwest corner of Hester St.) is scheduled to reopen in July.
- University Ave. is scheduled to reopen in September.
Rudy Construction Co., of Oklahoma City, will be conducting the project. The $3.6 million project is jointly financed by the City of Stillwater’s half-cent Sales Tax Transportation Fund and Oklahoma State University. Rudy was the lowest of four bids received by the City in November.
Designed by The Benham Companies, LLC, of Oklahoma City, the project includes drainage improvements, modifications to the OSU Student Union Parking Garage, new turn lanes at Hester and Knoblock, signal upgrades at Monroe and Hester, and streetscape amenities including decorative lighting.
University Avenue is a highly traveled corridor through the community and the University, connecting the Campus, Greek community, and vital commercial districts/visitor attractions including Campus Corner and the Washington Street Business District.
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Reconstruction of University Avenue begins Jan. 5
(STILLWATER, OKLA / Dec. 19, 2008) — Rudy Construction Co., of Oklahoma City, is scheduled to begin reconstructing University Avenue from Monroe to Knoblock on Monday, Jan. 5. The $3.6 million project is jointly financed by the City of Stillwater’s half-cent Sales Tax Transportation Fund and Oklahoma State University. Rudy was the lowest of four bids received by the City in November.
Designed by The Benham Companies, LLC, of Oklahoma City, the project includes drainage improvements, modifications to the OSU Student Union Parking Garage, new turn lanes at Hester and Knoblock, signal upgrades at Monroe and Hester, and streetscape amenities including decorative lighting.
Rudy Construction plans to complete the project by mid-September.
University Avenue is a highly traveled corridor through the community and the University, connecting the Campus, Greek community, and vital commercial districts/visitor attractions including Campus Corner and the Washington Street Business District.
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Contact: Sherry Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Public RelationsPhone: 405.742.8362
E-mail: sfletcher@stillwater.org
Web: stillwater.org