Drivers traveling along US-75 near Preston in Okmulgee County will soon see major changes as a long-anticipated highway improvement project begins taking shape.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has launched construction on a more than $11 million interchange project at the intersection of US-75 and Preston Road, also known as Will Sampson Road, aimed at improving safety and traffic flow in an area that has seen numerous serious crashes over the years.

The project will convert the current at-grade intersection – where drivers must cross or merge directly onto the busy highway – into a grade-separated interchange featuring a bridge and ramps that will allow vehicles to enter and exit the highway more safely.

Work has already begun on the project, and motorists will notice immediate changes in the area.

Both northbound and southbound lanes of US-75 have been narrowed to one lane in each direction near Preston Road, a traffic configuration that is expected to remain in place through much of the construction period.

ODOT officials say the lane restric- tions are necessary to allow crews to begin work while keeping traffic moving along the heavily traveled highway corridor.

Drivers are being urged to slow down, stay alert and watch for workers and construction equipment as they pass through the work zone.

For years, the intersection has been considered one of the more hazardous access points along US75 in Okmulgee County.

Motorists traveling on Preston Road currently must stop and wait for a break in traffic before pulling onto the highway, often while navigating limited visibility caused by hills and curves in the roadway.

“There’s a history of some pretty bad collisions at this intersection,” said ODOT spokesperson TJ Gerlach.

According to ODOT studies, the intersection has been the site of 30 injury crashes over a 10-year period, including two fatal accidents.

Officials say the current design forces drivers to judge high-speed traffic coming from both directions, a maneuver that can be especially dangerous in heavy traffic conditions.

The new interchange is intended to eliminate those risks by separating local traffic from highway traffic.

Once completed, the project will transform the intersection into a modern highway interchange featuring:

• A new bridge carrying Preston Road over US-75

• On-ramps and off-ramps allowing safer entry and exit from the highway

• New connecting local roads to improve access in the surrounding area

• Closure of several direct highway access points, including connections at 220 Road and O’Connor Street, with traffic redirected to the new interchange By replacing the traditional intersection with ramps and an overpass, drivers will no longer have to cross lanes of highway traffic to access US-75.

ODOT officials say the project will be completed in three general phases.

• Phase 1: Construction of new US-75 ramps and local roads.

• Phase 2: Connecting O’Connor Street to Preston Road near the new interchange.

• Phase 3: Building the bridge carrying Preston Road over US-75.

Much of the work can be completed without fully closing the highway, although temporary road closures and detours will occur as construction progresses.

The overall construction period is expected to last about one year, with completion projected for late 2026, weather permitting.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission awarded the construction contract in December 2025 to Sherwood Construction Inc., the contractor responsible for building the new interchange.

ODOT officials selected the design after studying several alternatives, ultimately determining that the $11 million plan provided the most effective longterm safety improvement.

Safety was not the only factor driving the project. Transportation planners say the improvements are also designed to prepare the corridor for significant future traffic growth.

According to ODOT projections, traffic volumes at the Preston Road intersection could double by the year 2051, making the current configuration increasingly unsafe and inefficient.

By installing ramps and separating highway traffic from local vehicles, the interchange will allow the roadway to handle heavier traffic while reducing crash risks.

With construction taking place near the Preston community and school district, Preston Public Schools officials are reminding families to remain cautious while traveling through the area.

School officials encouraged parents and community members to plan for possible detours and slower traffic while construction is underway.

“We want our school families to be aware that construction will be underway to build a new grade-separated interchange on US-75 at Preston Road designed to improve safety and eliminate a high-risk intersection,” the district said in a message to parents.

US-75 serves as one of the primary north-south transportation routes through eastern Oklahoma, connecting Okmulgee County communities with Tulsa and other regional destinations.

The Preston Road intersection, located just west of Preston schools and residential areas, has long been a busy crossing point for commuters, school traffic and local residents.

When completed, the new interchange is expected to significantly improve travel safety while providing a more efficient connection between local roads and the highway.

Until then, ODOT officials are reminding drivers traveling through the area to slow down, remain patient and stay alert as construction crews work to build a safer intersection for the future.