Question about Cherokee Curve (I-44/US 412/OK 66 split) in Catoosa

[bugo]

When the Will Rogers Turnpike was first built to tie into Skelly Drive, was current US 412 (former OK 33) built at the same time?  If so, how far east did the expressway go?    If not, was all traffic diverted to the current OK 66 (former I-44) interchange?  Also, whoever designed Cherokee Curve must have been on some serious drugs.

[US71]

Having driven old 33 a few times, I believe traffic was diverted at some point, but I'm not sure where. Seems like I saw some "ghost" roads at one time. Whatever evidence there may have been, was probably obliterated by the Creek Turnpike.

I know the expressway was built in pieces. I used to know of one or two old access points along old 33.

[NE2]

Having driven old 33 a few times, I believe traffic was diverted at some point, but I'm not sure where. Seems like I saw some "ghost" roads at one time. Whatever evidence there may have been, was probably obliterated by the Creek Turnpike.

Here's a pre-Creek aerial: http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.16231,-95.72469&z=15&t=O

[bugo]

I've seen the former SH 33 crossover from current US 412 to Admiral, but it's quite a way east of the Creek Turnpike.

[US71]

I've seen the former SH 33 crossover from current US 412 to Admiral, but it's quite a way east of the Creek Turnpike.

I remember two different crossovers. One was just past the old railroad bridge (N 4300?), the other was just west of OK 88.

[bugo]

I've seen the former SH 33 crossover from current US 412 to Admiral, but it's quite a way east of the Creek Turnpike.

I remember two different crossovers. One was just past the old railroad bridge (N 4300?), the other was just west of OK 88.

The one I'm referring to is just to the east of the Verdigris River bridge.

[rte66man]

When that junction was first built, OK33 ran east for a short period as a 4-lane, then narrowed down to 2 lanes.  Some of this still remains as Admiral Place.

When the McClellan-Kerr Navigation system was built in the late 60's, the old highway was replaced by 4 lanes across the canal and the Verdigris River.  It went about 2 miles, then you were divereted onto the old 2 lane just to the south. 

In the late 70's, the 4-lane was extended to just short of the junction with OK88 at Inola. It was not until around the time the Cherokee was built that the remaining 4-lane was completed to east of Chouteau.

I used to drive that road often for TU-Arkansas football games.  Even had a Dan Holmes-inspired "I Drove 33 and Survived" bumper sticker.

rte66man