Oh, I'm familiar with ODOT. What I meant to ask was, if they mean completed by 2012, does that mean we'll get something resembling a road by 2015 that will need to be repaved by 2017.

LOL, Yes you are familiar with ODOT! Couldn't have said it better myself. It will be a miracle if this project is completed by 2015.

How much of the timing is because of funds availability? Contracts can't be let without funds.

How much of the timing is because of funds availability? Contracts can't be let without funds.

I thought all the contracts have been let.

I remember a link to a story on here towards the end of last year (thought it was written by Steve) saying that one paving contract had been awarded and the other two would be awarded sometime this spring. I wish that all the sections would use the Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement that Jonno mentioned, as it appears to be the longest lasting technique.

Rover:

I am sure funding played a part since I think most was thru the Feds (ran across an article that the State wasn't contributing anything, but that may have changed). Know funding was an issue on redoing the Ft. Smith Junction...took something like 10 years or so for it.

their were also several lawsuits about union station, probably some others as well

10+ years for four miles of freeway!! Good Grief.

Yep. That's called 'Job Security.' ;)

I don't believe the lawsuits held up construction, and if they did, it wasn't by much.

Their original 8 year time estimate included two years for the boulevard, which is now not part of the immediate plan.

So, it was supposed to take 6 years (which in itself seems a bit absurd for four miles of freeway) and now it's going to be at least 10 and probably longer.

10+ years for four miles of freeway!! Good Grief.

Gotta keep in mind a good portion of that timeline was acquisition and demolition. Then comes the mail-chewing process of relocating utilities.

The freeway itself will be done by 2012. It's the boulevard that is the issue and is unfunded.

Gotta keep in mind a good portion of that timeline was acquisition and demolition. Then comes the mail-chewing process of relocating utilities.

The freeway itself will be done by 2012. It's the boulevard that is the issue and is unfunded.

the boulevard is now almost totally funded and is on the odot 8 years plans with funds totalling over 50 mil
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/cwp-8-year-plan/pdfs/cwp2011-2018.pdf

Yep. That's called 'Job Security.' ;)

I don't think you need job security for construction. Construction is like nursing. It's a career that's in demand anywhere you go.

the boulevard is now almost totally funded and is on the odot 8 years plans with funds totalling over 50 mil
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/cwp-8-year-plan/pdfs/cwp2011-2018.pdf

I looked that over completely and saw a few projects connected with the boulevard but didn't see anything that resembled coming close to full funding. Given that we currently only know the basic route but not how it will be constructed how could it be budgeted anyway?

Not sure where the article is, but remember reading that funding for the Boulevard isn't actually in hand yet. They are basing it being funded on anticipated revenue growth (or some shell game) and that expected funding wasn't until AFTER the announced/expected completion date of the Boulevard.

Might have been in this article but is archived (Published: September 4, 2010 "Funding in place for Oklahoma City; width could be changed") . Think it was in in an Oklahoman editorial though...

I looked that over completely and saw a few projects connected with the boulevard but didn't see anything that resembled coming close to full funding. Given that we currently only know the basic route but not how it will be constructed how could it be budgeted anyway?

BRIDGE & APPROACHES
I-40 CROSSTOWN: DECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING X-TOWN BRIDGE
17428(77) FFY 2012 (OK134)
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 1.520 Mi. Let 04/2012 $12,000,000

GRADE,DRAINING,BRIDGE & SURFACE
I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP 3.5, WEST CONNECTION OF NEW XTOWN WITH THE
17428(81) FFY 2012 BOULEVARD
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.750 Mi. Let 01/2012 $5,000,000

BRIDGE & APPROACHES
I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP 1.5, BNSF BRIDGE AT BOULEVARD
17428(25) FFY 2013
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.040 Mi. Let 01/2013 $6,011,125

GRADE,DRAINING,BRIDGE & SURFACE
I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP 4.5, GR, DR, BR & SURFACE THE BOULEVARD FROMBNSF
17428(60) FFY 2013 EAST TO I-40
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.750 Mi. Let 04/2013 $15,000,000

GRADE,DRAINING,BRIDGE & SURFACE
WP 5.1: OVRLAY & STRIPE I-40 MAINLINE FR PENN TO WESTERN, GR, DR, BR &
SURFMULTI-LANE RDWY ON FORMER I-40 XTWN BR ALNMT FR CLASSEN TO
E.K.GAYLORD.
17428(80) FFY 2013
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 2.170 Mi. Let 05/2013 $15,000,000

RECONSTRUCT-NO ADDED LANES
I-40 CROSS TOWN: UPRR AT THE HARTER YARD (DEMO = OK134)
17428(53) FFY 2014
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 4.000 Mi. $5,141,509

GRADE,DRAINING,BRIDGE & SURFACE
I-40 CROSS TOWN: RELOCATION OF THE EXISTING UPRR WYE TRACK(DEMO =
17428(55) FFY 2014 OK134)
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.750 Mi. $4,758,283

RAILROAD REHABILITATION
I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP.1.5 RR WORK FOR THE BNSF BRIDGE AT THE
17428(63) FFY 2014 BOULEVARD***WORK ASSOCIATED WITH 17428(25)***
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.750 Mi. $1,378,918

that is over 64 mil for the new BLVD

BRIDGE & APPROACHES
I-40 CROSSTOWN: DECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING X-TOWN BRIDGE
17428(77) FFY 2012 (OK134)
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 1.520 Mi. Let 04/2012 $12,000,000

GRADE,DRAINING,BRIDGE & SURFACE
I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP 3.5, WEST CONNECTION OF NEW XTOWN WITH THE
17428(81) FFY 2012 BOULEVARD
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.750 Mi. Let 01/2012 $5,000,000



If these estimates are anywhere close toward being correct the new I-40 should be substantially complete by the first half of 2012. I think there is still one more bridge that needs to be built at Agnew which can't begin until the eastbound bridge is demolished and this may be included in the project going out for bid in January. The project to demolish the elevated part of the old I-40 goes out for bid April 2012. When the I-40 bridge approach is demolished on the east end, the ramps going westbound coming from I-235 North and South can be finished(they will probably build temporary ramps a little bit further east). By the end of 2012 everything should be completely done. Just a thought............

Edit: Nevermind, it still does look like late 2012.

GRADE,DRAINING,BRIDGE & SURFACE
I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP 3.4, GR, DR, BR & SURFACE FROM AGNEW WEST 0.7 MI
17428(58) FFY 2012
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.750 Mi. Let 04/2012 $20,928,986
Westbound I-40 bridge over Agnew?

GRADE,DRAINING,BRIDGE & SURFACE
I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP 4.4, GR, DR, BR & SURFACE FROM THE OKLAHOMA CITY
17428(59) FFY 2012 CANALEAST 0.9 MI & SHIFT I-40 TRAFFIC TO NEW ALIGNMENT
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.750 Mi. Let 04/2012 $10,000,000
I wonder what the duration is on this project?

If these estimates are anywhere close toward being correct the new I-40 should be substantially complete by the first half of 2012. I think there is still one more bridge that needs to be built at Agnew which can't begin until the eastbound bridge is demolished and this may be included in the project going out for bid in January. The project to demolish the elevated part of the old I-40 goes out for bid April 2012. When the I-40 bridge approach is demolished on the east end, the ramps going westbound coming from I-235 North and South can be finished(they will probably build temporary ramps a little bit further east). By the end of 2012 everything should be completely done. Just a thought............


After they finish the train track their is not much stopping them from paving the main route and ramps, the interconnects are going to be a multi-stage nightmare. The earliest crosstown destructions are probably to make room for the interconnects from southbound i235, northbound i35 and bridge over may.

BRIDGE & APPROACHES
I-40 CROSSTOWN: DECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING X-TOWN BRIDGE
17428(77) FFY 2012 (OK134)
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 1.520 Mi. Let 04/2012 $12,000,000

...

that is over 64 mil for the new BLVD

Which implies an incomplete list as they have budgeted $85 million

After they finish the train track their is not much stopping them from paving the main route and ramps, the interconnects are going to be a multi-stage nightmare. The earliest crosstown destructions are probably to make room for the interconnects from southbound i235, northbound i35 and bridge over may.

NO DOUBT!! What people don't realize is that what they see on the west end (those two bridges) is just eastbound traffic lanes. They still have to build and connect the westbound bridge over Agnew into the current I-40 alignment. I think they'll have everything full access in the middle and merge traffic down to maybe two or three lanes each on the ends so they can build the interconnects like you mention. It'll be a bottle neck for a while but, to me, it'll be interesting to see how they do it!

Some construction pics from the new Western Avenue bridge. http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlywinegareth/sets/72157625868446685/

Nice pics earlywine!

Unfortunately, not everywhere looks as good on the new highway as your pics show. Anyone else notice how much graffiti there is on the retaining walls of the new I-40 (even after seeing some of it cleaned up), not to mention on the exit signs of the existing route? I'm talking about as you go south on Lincoln to the boathouses, and at the Western and Penn interchanges specifically. There is probably more on the south side that I'm unaware of...

Nice pics earlywine!

Unfortunately, not everywhere looks as good on the new highway as your pics show. Anyone else notice how much graffiti there is on the retaining walls of the new I-40 (even after seeing some of it cleaned up), not to mention on the exit signs of the existing route? I'm talking about as you go south on Lincoln to the boathouses, and at the Western and Penn interchanges specifically. There is probably more on the south side that I'm unaware of...

Hate the graffiti, but it will be cleaned up. Also would like to note that the textured walls and the details on the towers (columns) on the bridges will all be stained. They do it by hand, "brick by brick."

That will make them stand out nicely, thanks for the info.

Any idea what the signage will be like? Hopefully like Norman's I-35 stretch with the "water-pipe" signs and modern looking lights overlooking the freeway.

Thanks for the pics earlywine!

Any idea what the signage will be like? Hopefully like Norman's I-35 stretch with the "water-pipe" signs and modern looking lights overlooking the freeway.

Thanks for the pics earlywine!

Yes, I think the plan is to use the "water-pipe" signs on I-40 and other projects in the future.

Any idea what the signage will be like? Hopefully like Norman's I-35 stretch with the "water-pipe" signs and modern looking lights overlooking the freeway.

Thanks for the pics earlywine!

Absolutely despise the water pipe design! So that's probably what we will get

Why? It's modern...harder to get on and graffiti it up, too. Also a plus. I am starting to despise the 1970's "jungle-gym" style....love the water-pipe ones. Fresh and modern, just what the city needs!

Why? It's modern...harder to get on and graffiti it up, too. Also a plus. I am starting to despise the 1970's "jungle-gym" style....love the water-pipe ones. Fresh and modern, just what the city needs!

Not to mention less expensive and easier to maintain and replace if damaged.

The wate pipe sign are absolutely the way to go. I completely agree with the posts by SkyWest and rcjunkie. Also, good to hear that the walls and towers will be stained - I was beginning to wonder. Regardless of what design the signs use or if things are stained, the new stretch of I-40 will look 500% than the current crosstown.

The wate pipe sign are absolutely the way to go. I completely agree with the posts by SkyWest and rcjunkie. Also, good to hear that the walls and towers will be stained - I was beginning to wonder. Regardless of what design the signs use or if things are stained, the new stretch of I-40 will look 500% than the current crosstown.

The 100% lower chance it is going to collapse or develop a 3 to 5 foot hole at the time you drive over it is great too.

valid point

Why? It's modern...harder to get on and graffiti it up, too. Also a plus. I am starting to despise the 1970's "jungle-gym" style....love the water-pipe ones. Fresh and modern, just what the city needs!

Sorry, but couldn't disagree more. What about it looks modern? It looks cheap (that we couldn't afford the real thing so we just used whatever was laying around). Am sure it is less to maintain etc (and it looks it).

on edit: I like the bridge design and other elements that I have seen and don't think the water pipe compliments the design in the least.

Forgive me if this has been asked, but driving out of OKC yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder if the Amarillo junction is ever going to be rebuilt. It's not aging gracefully, but seems to be handling traffic. I imagine a pretty decent stack interchange would work there in the future.

It handles the traffic in good weather and in non-peak times. The bottle-neck at rush hour is absolutely terrible though. I'm sure it will be rebuilt, but I don't think there's any future plans as of right now for it.

Sky have they completed the work on I 40 yet?

Yeah, 44 needs to be 6 thru lanes and not just 4. There's enough land at that interchange to accomodate that.


Sky have they completed the work on I 40 yet?

Still have a ways to go...

No....

Any idea what the signage will be like? Hopefully like Norman's I-35 stretch with the "water-pipe" signs and modern looking lights overlooking the freeway.

Thanks for the pics earlywine!

I've not been to Norman in awhile. Is this what you mean by water-pipe signs?

http://www.canhighways.com/CA/PHOTOS/I-15-56_lg.jpg

^^ Yes, they look a lot like that.

I was thinking it was a project scheduled to be completed 2014 or 2016

It might be, I'm not too familiar with the road projects and what their timing is. There is a new interchange project for I-44 and I-235, maybe you are thinking of that?

No, Doug, its thicker and natural steel color. Much thicker than pictured above.

I was thinking it was a project scheduled to be completed 2014 or 2016

i40 has still been stated as 2012 the last I heard, with the boulevard being completed somewhere around 2014.

Some pics from today...basically an update to the set I did 6 weeks ago from the new Western Ave bridge: http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlywinegareth/sets/72157626157368471/

It's nice to see some actual road on there finally. I WANNA DRIVE ON IT! God it's about to turn into such a huge mess at the junction points though......ugh.

Nothing 5 miles long should take this long to build. why does everything on Oklahoma takes years to get done?

Nothing 5 miles long should take this long to build. why does everything on Oklahoma takes years to get done?

Totally agree, especially when the current crosstown is so unstable. This isn't the norm for other states.

Nothing 5 miles long should take this long to build. why does everything on Oklahoma takes years to get done?

planning, drawing, aquire land, move major utilities, dirt work, drainage work, business re-location, build bridges, all of this before actual road work can begin, time factor is average for this type of major highway construction.

It doesn't look wide enough for 4 lanes each. Are they eliminating the shoulders?

It doesn't look wide enough for 4 lanes each. Are they eliminating the shoulders?

Keep in mind that their not done yet. Concrete will eventually fill that entire space. Also, we don't have anything to establish scale so it may be a lot wider then you think it is.

Keep in mind that their not done yet. Concrete will eventually fill that entire space. Also, we don't have anything to establish scale so it may be a lot wider then you think it is.

Trick of the camera.

I thought it was going to be five lanes each way. Is that wrong?

I thought it was going to be five lanes each way. Is that wrong?

No, that's correct. Much of the new freeway will be 10 lanes.

No, Doug, its thicker and natural steel color. Much thicker than pictured above.

like this?

http://www.aaroads.com/west/arizona101/lp-101_s_exit_054_01.jpg

Here is a good aerial tour of the construction areas from March:


http://wmstream.pbid.com/shared/i40_crosstown/april_2011_construction_1_high.wmv

That video really shows you how much more is left. Especially on the west end. I understand that they had to wait for funding for each part and the purchase, design, the number of bridges, etc. But it's still frustrating to see that little done after that amount of time. All the while we're still stuck on the craptown bridge.

Yeah, I will be surprised if it is opened even by the end of 2012.

Also, there is an exit ramp to the new boulevard just east of Agnew; I don't see how traffic goes under there, there are multiple columns.

They are actually further along than that video showed.. The west end is a lot closer to being finished than the east end. The Shields bridge is finally 100% open.. The railroads tracks on the east section are now finished and moved to the north side. The concrete between Western and Penn is completely poured and ready to go (besides the center median and I think concrete around the storm drains). Now that the train tracks are completely moved, I believe all they have left is grade and pour.

On the extreme east end, they started placing the beams needed to widen the I-40 bridge that goes over I-235. They are also about to shift the lanes to build the center pier for the Lincoln bridge.

Too bad nothing will be done about the I-40/I-44 interchange. I don't even think it is on the ODOT 8-year plan..... will it last that long? Seems to at least need some serious surface work done.

That video really shows you how much more is left. Especially on the west end. I understand that they had to wait for funding for each part and the purchase, design, the number of bridges, etc. But it's still frustrating to see that little done after that amount of time. All the while we're still stuck on the craptown bridge.

The things in progress or completed are the time consuming projects (bridges, raildroad relocation, drainage, etc:). once they start the actual roadway, it will speed up considerbly.