Is there any drawings of these plans available?

It being on the ground was closer to the canal than I remembered.

This is a screen shot of a section of an overlay that has the individual bridge segments highlighted as lines that are about 100ft apart (there are a couple lines on the mainline road that are project segments but they are much farther between). The pdf is a little old 2009 but they never released a newer one (I think this one was removed at some point). It shows some temporary roads and drainage as well so the interchange with i35/i235/i40 was a little hard to tell which the final alignment would be.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6625358763_7c0b3cc2da_b.jpg

ODOT has posted a preview drive on their YouTube acct:

WBJmKr8zb20
bBonI4pYuTo
1Nf8aXF4_yg
m3tAO8BGe6g

Thanks, and thanks to ODOT, for those videos. #3 shows Skydance nicely. It would have been nice to have some pans toward downtown from time to time, but, that's about my only criticism. Very nice videos.

Found this one, also, at ODOT's YouTube collection. The shots are more stationary but pan to show the environment better.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5JcUbaMojg

Who picked out the music lol

Here is KOCO's story from today:

http://www.koco.com/r/30124436/detail.html

The old bridge is being replaced and the new bridge is set to open this week.

Will the East bound traffic only be on the new part with West bound remaining on the old crosstown? or will it be half and half? I know this was discussed awhile back but I don't recall the final answer.

Will the East bound traffic only be on the new part with West bound remaining on the old crosstown? or will it be half and half? I know this was discussed awhile back but I don't recall the final answer.

The eastbound will be moved to only on the new part the 5th, the westbound will be moved something around 30 to 40 days after that. Though only 3 lanes will be used due to when the westbound lanes move over they will have to use parts of the new eastbound lanes to get around the areas when the old route is in the way of the new westbound route.

Signs say 5th at 12pm (noon).

Less than a day until the opening. The biggest change in OKC roads in 20 years. Great to see.

OK, I've re-read almost every page and still can't figure it out - trying to find out how I'll get on the east bound I-40 from downtown?

For years, I've gone south on EKG, under Crosstown and taken SE 2nd street west to loop onto EB I-40 by old fire station/car dealership. I cannot understand how to get on the new EB I-40 from downtown tomorrow. Am I doomed to take Reno? I am now officially a codgerette/old female dog confused by new tricks. TIA

OK, I've re-read almost every page and still can't figure it out - trying to find out how I'll get on the east bound I-40 from downtown?

For years, I've gone south on EKG, under Crosstown and taken SE 2nd street west to loop onto EB I-40 by old fire station/car dealership. I cannot understand how to get on the new EB I-40 from downtown tomorrow. Am I doomed to take Reno? I am now officially a codgerette/old female dog confused by new tricks. TIA

Going south on EKG (sheilds) just south of the new interstate will have a right turn which will loop onto the new i40

Going south on EKG (sheilds) just south of the new interstate will have a right turn which will loop onto the new i40

Thanks Snowman - that's what I was thinking. Looks like that won't be open tomorrow, so Reno it shall be. The new road looks wonderful - can't wait until fully functional!

Thanks Snowman - that's what I was thinking. Looks like that won't be open tomorrow, so Reno it shall be. The new road looks wonderful - can't wait until fully functional!

Are you going to take me along for a ride?

As soon as I get off work tomorrow I know where I am going to drive.

Driving this stretch is going to be a surreal experience...

As strange as it sounds, I'll miss the old Crosstown just because I have always associated it with downtown.

I think I'm going to go downtown in the morning before I go to work, get one more trip on it going eastbound. We all hate it now...but in 25 years...it will be a part of OKC's history. And in 40 years I'll be able to tell my grandkids how that boulevard used to be an old elevated bridge that was a fear to drive on and how happy the city was to have the new highway.

I think I'm going to go downtown in the morning before I go to work, get one more trip on it going eastbound. We all hate it now...but in 25 years...it will be a part of OKC's history. And in 40 years I'll be able to tell my grandkids how that boulevard used to be an old elevated bridge that was a fear to drive on and how happy the city was to have the new highway.

Will they believe you when you tell them the size of chunks could fell out of it?

When I was in high school in the late 70's, I used to drive a delivery van for Swiss Cleaners after school. My route took me downtown and I had to merge onto westbound I-40 from Hudson.

The van was really, really slow and that on-ramp was uphill and dumped you out very quickly into screaming traffic. I was all of 16 and it's a miracle I didn't have at least one fiery crash.

Those are the kind of old Crosstown memories I won't cherish.

Thanks Snowman - that's what I was thinking. Looks like that won't be open tomorrow, so Reno it shall be. The new road looks wonderful - can't wait until fully functional!

If your talking about anytime after 12:00 it should be open.
Doesn't sound like your route will change that much. Just going a little bit more south. =D

I look forward to driving on it after work tomorrow.

All the on-ramps and off-ramps along the new stretch of eastbound I-40.
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsmedia/i40-okc/eastbound.php

I think I'm going to go downtown in the morning before I go to work, get one more trip on it going eastbound. We all hate it now...but in 25 years...it will be a part of OKC's history. And in 40 years I'll be able to tell my grandkids how that boulevard used to be an old elevated bridge that was a fear to drive on and how happy the city was to have the new highway.

Tomorrow I will be doing the same, .... driving full throttle across the old lady one more time.

Although in 40 years I hope to be flying around Okc, like the Jetson's.

All the on-ramps and off-ramps along the new stretch of eastbound I-40.
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsmedia/i40-okc/eastbound.php
Do I read the map correctly to reflect, for eastbound from the I-44 interchange (if not also westbound leading to it) traffic, access ramps are:


No ingress/egress at May Ave.
Ingress/egress at Agnew (Villa) -- 1/2 mile west of May
Ingress/egress at Pennsylvania -- 1/2 mile west of Agnew/Villa
Ingress/egress at Western -- 1 mile from Penn at the west edge of downtown
Ingress/egress at Shields -- 1 mile from Western at the east edge of downtown
Ingress/egress at terminal point with I-35/I-235 junction


If so, on eastbound I-40 at and after the I-44 interchange, for the approximate 6 mile span (I-44 to I-235/I-35 junction)

One cannot enter/exit at May or at any entrance/exit which actually enters downtown
Exit/entrances are only at Agnew (Villa), Penn, Western & Shields


Did I miss something?

You're correct as far as I can tell also, Doug.

Also, I don't know why they went with a full interchange at Western instead of Walker.

One cannot enter/exit at May or at any entrance/exit which actually enters downtown

Did I miss something?

Shields goes downtown. head north 5 blocks, left for business district, right for bricktown.

The lack of a walker/may exits is probably to make it safer, the fewer exits/entrances the better generally speaking.

The very first boulevard project which goes up for bid this month is to build the ramps leading from I-40 to the controlled access portion of the boulevard from Penn to Exchange/Western(a repaved old I-40 basically). This will restore some access to the western sides of downtown.

All the on-ramps and off-ramps along the new stretch of eastbound I-40.
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsmedia/i40-okc/eastbound.php

Thanks jn1780 - this is what I was looking for. I saw another map that showed the Shields EB on ramp, but it was "redded out" as if to show closed. After 28 years of driving the exact same way daily (unless an accident closed the road) it'll take some getting used to for the newer route, but nice to not have to dodge holes and chunks of concrete!
I think I'll still exit at NB 235 to Sheridan in the mornings for the future. Much more convenient for parking garage access.

http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsmedia/i40-okc/maps/20050630b_Corridor-Aerial.pdf

Based on the this map layout, you will take the new east service road from May to Agnew. Continue east on the service road to a ramp that feeds into I-40. The Westbound route will work in a similar manner Exit at Agnew and continue west on the service road to May. This was probably done to ease traffic flow feeding in and out the fairgrounds area.

Here's a photo from about 30 minutes ago of the ribbon-cutting:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/crosstown1.jpg

Driving this stretch is going to be a surreal experience...

As strange as it sounds, I'll miss the old Crosstown just because I have always associated it with downtown.

Pete, we wish you were here to enjoy the experience. I can remember the last new roads that opened in the OKC area. I-240 started at dead mans curve near May Ave and was a total change in getting around in South OKC. I remember sneaking my motorcylce onto I-44 before it opened in Southside OKC. After it opened, getting back and forth to North OKC to harass the Northside Brats was much easier.

But without the winter weather dangers of the elevated crosstown, what will Mike Morgasam obsess about during the next snow-pocolypse?

Don't worry people here will always find a way to kill themselves during any sort of wintertime precip.

Are the new ODOT live cams be accessible as of today or will they only be operational after traffic is flowing both ways?

I haven't viewed the traffic cameras. However, the traffic function on Google Maps is indicating some pretty big backups on 1-40 East of dowtown.

EDIT: I actually checked the camera at 40 and Shields and there is no eastbound traffic.

Just checked out kfor at noon and there was no transfer of traffic yet...

just herd on the scanners that the new crosstown is now open to the public

12:20 .... first cars are now being escorted by three OKC PD cars......its open!

Yep, if you look at the I-40/Shields webcam, you can see the eerie sight of zero eastbound traffic on the old Crosstown:

http://www.oktraffic.org/map.php?location=okc

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/crosstown2.jpg

Well I can't wait to get off work now....

Are the new ODOT live cams be accessible as of today or will they only be operational after traffic is flowing both ways?

No. Who knows how long it will be before they update their website and add them. The cameras were up for a few years before they even gave the public access to them.

I'll catch it on the way to work in the morning.....can't wait.

Well I can't wait to get off work now....

Agreed, even though i won't be anywhere near I-40 this week.

It looked so space age, and then I saw a reminder that this is still Oklahoma. A broken down Nissan on the shoulder 30 minutes after the grand opening!

It looked so space age, and then I saw a reminder that this is still Oklahoma. A broken down Nissan on the shoulder 30 minutes after the grand opening!

I just drove past it. LOL

It looked so space age, and then I saw a reminder that this is still Oklahoma. A broken down Nissan on the shoulder 30 minutes after the grand opening!

That is me. I'm waiting for help. :-(

Haha, it was Thunder I just drove past and I left him stranded. :evilsmile

Video I shot from my dash cam today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpW0xq-6rdE&feature=related&hd=1




BpW0xq-6rdE&feature=related&hd=1

Very cool! Thanks so much.

I love the way the bridges look and the elimination of all the dangerous merges on the old crosstown. Anyone else think that the surface is somewhat uncomfortable to drive on? No large impacts, but I felt a constant vibration which was unique to the new stretch. Perhaps it has significant ridges for better wet traction?

I just drove on the new highway for the first time and I hope it doesnt happen,but I bet there will be multiple wrecks on this,atleast until the newness wears off.I was driving and caught myself looking around and noticed everyone else hitting their brakes for no reason and slowing down to see the Skydance bridge.

Anyone else think that the surface is somewhat uncomfortable to drive on? No large impacts, but I'm felt a vibration which was unique to the new stretch. Perhaps it has significant ridges for better wet traction?

I didn't notice it but I wasn't really paying attention, I was just trying to get a feel for the view I'm going to be seeing from now on. I'll try and look out for it next time I drive on it.

Perhaps it has significant ridges for better wet traction?

I noticed in some photos the concrete surface was purposely finished slightly rough, no doubt to make it safer in wet conditions.

I just drove on the new highway for the first time and I hope it doesnt happen,but I bet there will be multiple wrecks on this,atleast until the newness wears off.I was driving and caught myself looking around and noticed everyone else hitting their brakes for no reason and slowing down to see the Skydance bridge.

I noticed this as well. I hope nothing too serious, if anything at all, happens.

I just drove on the new highway for the first time and I hope it doesnt happen,but I bet there will be multiple wrecks on this,atleast until the newness wears off.I was driving and caught myself looking around and noticed everyone else hitting their brakes for no reason and slowing down to see the Skydance bridge.

I am crossing the new I-40 now as I text this message and I'm also trying to take pics with my iphone. Yes I agree drivers are not focusing on the road and too many are riding their brakes.

I am crossing the new I-40 now as I text this message and I'm also trying to take pics with my iphone. Yes I agree drivers are not focusing on the road and too many are riding their brakes.

Ha! Seriously, though, I'd try not to do anything too bizarre today. I noticed a significant enforcement presence.

Video I shot from my dash cam today:


Awesome video! Even though I have no reason to, it makes me want to drive on it after I get off work at 8 and film it on my Motorola Electrify while it sits in the new windshield mount I bought for my car. Then I can drive under the lit Skydance Bridge!

I just drove on the new highway for the first time and I hope it doesnt happen,but I bet there will be multiple wrecks on this,atleast until the newness wears off.I was driving and caught myself looking around and noticed everyone else hitting their brakes for no reason and slowing down to see the Skydance bridge.

Yeah and their also only using the two to three right hand lanes. The fourth is not being used that much. Fifth is closed.

Wow - thanks for video and other comments! I chickened out today and just took Reno EB to Scott Street. Still would like to know if the EB on ramp on Shields is open? One of my co-workers said he couldn't turn right off Shields at the place shown - it was blocked about 2 pm?
The traffic going out of DT today was nuts at 3:30, so I didn't even try. Maybe Monday

One of my co-workers said he couldn't turn right off Shields at the place shown - it was blocked about 2 pm?


If you look at SSEiYah's video above at the 3:34 mark, you can see traffic entering on to the new alignment from the Shields Blvd. ramp.

I took the new crosstown home tonight. Of course, it is a spectacular improvement on the old piece of $#!t. There's a little "correction glitch" about 300 yards west of the Penn bridge that appears totally unnecessary. How can a project in the making for so long, need a three foot swerve in the middle of an otherwise uninterrupted stretch of highway? I'm hoping that it's just the way the stripes are painted. Didn't have time to look at the details since everyone was braking for the pedestrian bridge!
All in all, it is beautiful. If that seems like a strong word, then you've never driven the existing crosstown.

I took the new crosstown home tonight. Of course, it is a spectacular improvement on the old piece of $#!t. There's a little "correction glitch" about 300 yards west of the Penn bridge that appears totally unnecessary. How can a project in the making for so long, need a three foot swerve in the middle of an otherwise uninterrupted stretch of highway? I'm hoping that it's just the way the stripes are painted. Didn't have time to look at the details since everyone was braking for the pedestrian bridge!
All in all, it is beautiful. If that seems like a strong word, then you've never driven the existing crosstown.

That is where the westbound traffic will be shifted temporarily on the eastbound lanes, due to the old crosstown being in the way of the new westbound route.