TISHOMINGO, Okla. (KTEN) — There are three solutions on the table to address safety concerns at the Y-interchange on the west side of Tishomingo where six high school students were killed in a horrific crash two years ago.

Residents had an opportunity to provide some feedback on those plans at a public meeting held at Murray State College Tuesday evening.

"Given the tragedies that's happened in the past, one accident or one more death would be too much," said Dorine Scribner, who regularly drives through the intersection of US 377 and State Highway 22.

In March 2023, KTEN reported that that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation had intended to outline its plans to rebuild the junction by the end of that year.

That was delayed until Tuesday evening, when three solutions were presented:

  • a traffic circle
  • a T-interchange
  • a four-way stop

 

Proposal for a roundabout at US 377 and State Highway 22 in Tishomingo.
Proposal for a roundabout at US 377 and State Highway 22 in Tishomingo. (ODOT)

 

Proposal for a T-interchange at US 377 and State Highway 22 in Tishomingo.
Proposal for a T-interchange at US 377 and State Highway 22 in Tishomingo. (ODOT)

 

Proposal for a 4-way intersection at US 377 and State Highway 22 in Tishomingo.
Proposal for a 4-way intersection at US 377 and State Highway 22 in Tishomingo. (ODOT)

 

Of the three, engineers have found a roundabout to be the best option.

"Roundabouts drastically reduce the nature and type of collision that can happen at intersections,” explained Brandon Huxford, a civil engineer for Freese and Nichols. “It's not to say it's the only safe option, but it is the option based off of empirical data from them being historically implemented."

Location map of the intersection of US 377 and State Highway 22 in Tishomingo. (Google Maps)

Scribner was not impressed with what she heard at the meeting.

"A good solution was not presented; at least not in the way that people would say, 'Oh yeah, that looks like that would be a very safe option,'" she said.

Karen Inman said she also felt that the proposals fell short.

"We have a lot of truck traffic that comes through that intersection, and I don't know that a roundabout is going to be effective with the trucks," she said.

Public comments on changes to the interchange can be submitted to ODOT until May 7. Call 405-325-3269 or email [email protected].

Construction is expected to begin sometime in 2026.