The team at Benham, a Haskell Company, collaborated with the City of Tulsa on its largest roadway project ever.

The Yale Avenue Widening Project, the largest roadway construction effort in Tulsa’s history, transformed a congested two-lane corridor into a modern six-lane arterial. Spanning one mile between East 81st and East 91st Streets, the $31 million project addressed long-standing safety concerns, reduced traffic congestion and enhanced infrastructure capacity in South Tulsa. Benham, a Haskell company, served as the project’s prime design consultant, working closely with the City of Tulsa to implement roadway realignment strategies, stabilize slopes and improve overall traffic flow.

A redesigned roadway improved sight distance and roadway stability.

Accommodating approximately 25,000 vehicles daily, the project involved realigning and widening a curvy, hilly corridor that previously suffered from poor sight distances and roadway instability. Engineers flattened tight curves and lowered the roadway by more than 14 feet to enhance visibility. Given the constrained right-of-way and proximity to residential areas, the design incorporated 13 retaining walls, ranging from 4 to 28 feet high, to provide structural reinforcement and visual screening for adjacent neighborhoods. The project also included extensive utility relocations, with phased water and power line adjustments ensuring uninterrupted service throughout construction.

The award-winning project enhanced safety, access and connectivity.

The completed project improves mobility and accessibility for both drivers and pedestrians. Features include 6-foot-wide sidewalks and a landscaped center median with dedicated turn bays. Removing a hazardous curve has reduced accident risks, while the expanded corridor supports increasing traffic demands. The project, funded by the Improve Our Tulsa sales tax, was completed under budget and represents a significant investment in the city’s transportation network. For its role as the prime design consultant, Benham received an Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Oklahoma Engineering Excellence Awards, qualifying the project for submission to the 2025 ACEC National Engineering Excellence Awards.