A stretch of James Garner Boulevard in downtown Norman will shut down for four days next week as crews replace a water line, the first visible step toward a larger reconstruction of the corridor.

The City of Norman announced Aug. 13, that the boulevard between W. Linn Street and W. Apache Street will close to all traffic beginning Aug. 18 through 5 p.m. Aug. 21. A city contractor will install a replacement water line across the roadway during the closure.

The road will fully close. Traffic will be detoured to adjacent streets, and the city is asking motorists to follow posted signage.

Phase 3 bond project

The city described the water line work as preparation for the "future James Garner Boulevard improvement project," formally known as the James Garner Phase 3 2019 Bond Project. Norman voters approved that project as one of 19 transportation improvements in an April 2, 2019, bond issue.

Phase 3 calls for a full reconstruction of James Garner Avenue from Duffy Street to approximately Acres Street, according to ConstructConnect project records. The scope includes new roadway construction, sidewalks, storm drainage, waterline installation, traffic signal upgrades, roadway lighting and landscaping. The contractor will also need to coordinate with BNSF railroad for rail-adjacent work.

City documents tied to the related Gray Street Two-Way project list additional planned improvements along the James Garner corridor: reverse-angle parking, decorative lighting, new curb and gutter, pedestrian safety upgrades, and new railroad crossing gates for two-way operation.

Years of corridor work

The water line replacement follows years of adjacent construction. The Gray Street Two-Way project, which reconstructed the James Garner Avenue and Gray Street intersection specifically to accommodate Phase 3, carried a total cost of approximately $7.5 million. About $4.9 million came from federal grants, with the remaining $2.6 million funded through the city's 2019 bond program. That project, awarded to Ellsworth Construction of Oklahoma City, began construction Aug. 5, 2024.

The city has not released a timeline or projected completion date for the full Phase 3 street reconstruction. ConstructConnect records listed a bid deadline of March 20, 2025, and a construction start of April 21, 2025, but the city's characterization of the water line work as "preparation" for the future project suggests major street construction has not yet begun.

Residents with questions about the Aug. 18–21 closure can contact the City of Norman Utilities Department at (405) 366-5443.