Dave Ward widening and Salem Road, anybody seen work actually start?

Keep hearing the Dave Ward widening (Harkrider out to I-40) and the Salem Road rebuild from Dave Ward over to College Ave are supposed to happen in 2026, plus more roundabouts out at Salem and Meadowlake. Seven years out feels like a long way to wait, but I haven't seen a single survey stake or orange cone so I'm wondering if anyone knows more than I do.

I'm over in Beaverfork and any trip toward the interstate at 5 o'clock is its own little adventure. Oak Street is the worst. Sat through two light cycles last Thursday just to get past the one block. And if a train is sitting on the crossing you may as well turn off the engine and call it an afternoon. Had one stopped so long my sister in law asked if it had broken down.

I don't hate roundabouts like some people do, but I'll say we've got a lot of them for a town this size. My husband still goes around them the wrong way in his head. When I was young out that direction was mostly pasture, so I know it was bound to fill up, I just wish the roads had kept pace.

If anybody has talked to the city or knows where to look for the real schedule I'd appreciate it. Or just tell me your favorite way around Oak Street, I'm taking suggestions.

Live right on Oak, so I feel this. Haven't seen a stake or a cone on Dave Ward either. 2026 is far enough out I'd expect it to slip.

After 4:30 I cut over to Prince or Washington to dodge the light. Trains are still a coin flip no matter which way you go.

Thanks Josh, I never thought of Prince. I guess I just stuck with Oak out of habit, my husband would drive it blindfolded at this point. I'll try Washington one afternoon and report back.

You're probably right about 2026 slipping. Folks around here have been promising to fix the roads out our way since I was a girl, so I'll believe it when I see an orange cone. Meantime I'll keep a book in the car for the trains.