It seems the holdup in shifting to the western-most southbound bridge is the WB to SB cloverleaf.

They also have been reworking I-44 as an approach and now the cold weather is going to slow them down a bit.

ODOT told me everything at this stage is very temperature-dependent.

They got a fever. And the only prescription is more delays. And more delays after that. And let me check. Yup more delays. Maybe it’s because I’m busy dodging a fatal collision at that interchange. But I haven’t seen any warm bodies out there in over a week.

^

Christmas and below-freezing temps, no doubt.

They got a fever. And the only prescription is more delays. And more delays after that. And let me check. Yup more delays. Maybe it’s because I’m busy dodging a fatal collision at that interchange. But I haven’t seen any warm bodies out there in over a week.

I closed my eyes and prayed that I ended up in front of a car in that merge area, they can't give us normal merge areas soon enough

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235010922a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235010922b.jpg

Starting to feel like they're going to have both south bound bridges finished and ready for use by the time the cloverleafs are done.

Starting to feel like they're going to have both south bound bridges finished and ready for use by the time the cloverleafs are done.

I could be wrong but it appears to me that the cloverleafs are basically done and just waiting for the bridge to be completed before being used in their new configuration.

You guys know what time it is? Time for some more godforsaken delays that’s what time is. Remember how many times this has been pushed back. Well it’s been another week. Time for some more delays. Pretty sure that they’re just messing with us. Didn’t they do a 235 10 year challenge?.

You guys know what time it is? Time for some more godforsaken delays that’s what time is. Remember how many times this has been pushed back. Well it’s been another week. Time for some more delays. Pretty sure that they’re just messing with us. Didn’t they do a 235 10 year challenge?.

One thing I’ve noticed with construction is towards the end of the project they pull crews to work on new projects or other areas of money making interest. Not saying that’s the case here but sure feels like it.

They were waiting to finish WB 44 to SB 235 cloverleaf. That appears to be about done now. I would expect ramp traffic to shift to new bridge next week.

The weather wasn't that great last week.

One thing I’ve noticed with construction is towards the end of the project they pull crews to work on new projects or other areas of money making interest. Not saying that’s the case here but sure feels like it.

They make money for earlier completion so that is not the case. You can only throw so many people qt a project that is nearing completion. Their done with the guys whose job is specifically related to building bridges.

I would guess that when they move over to the SB lanes, the lanes as a whole will still be narrowed for maybe a month to finish the dividing walls and the concrete completion, moving equipment/supplies off site and overall clean up.

I would assume they won't have a big shut down of the highway with a dedication like they did when the new I-40 opened years ago.

I would guess that when they move over to the SB lanes, the lanes as a whole will still be narrowed for maybe a month to finish the dividing walls and the concrete completion, moving equipment/supplies off site and overall clean up.

I would assume they won't have a big shut down of the highway with a dedication like they did when the new I-40 opened years ago.

If I recall correctly, I think they would start to shift their work eastward in redoing the ramps coming off Lincoln. So far, the westbound lanes should be a lot more congested because of the work involved. So it'll still be a bottleneck east and west wise, north and south should be river-like.

Wow that temporary ramp for WB 44 to SB 235 is insane. Basically a right turn.

Wish I would have looked at this thread before taking that ramp yesterday. Not a fun experience!

No more right turn tomorrow morning. Lane shift to bridge tonight! Sounds like SB will completely be shifted to western most bridge and shift to middle bridge for main traffic will occur in a couple of weeks.


I-235/US-77 ramps close, I-235 narrows to one lane at N. 63rd St. Tuesday night
Drivers can expect the following closures on southbound I-235/US-77 between N. 63rd St. and the I-44 interchange from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday for a lane shift:

The southbound I-235/US-77 on-ramp from N. 63rd St. will be closed;
The westbound I-44 off-ramp southbound I-235 will be closed;
The southbound I-235/US-77 off-ramp to eastbound I-44 will be closed; and
Southbound I-235/US-77 will be narrowed to one lane between N. 63rd St. and I-44.

These closures will allow crews to shift the southbound I-235/US-77 lanes to the far west, however, southbound I-235 will remain narrowed to two lanes in the work zone starting with the Wednesday morning commute. More significantly, the exit lane to access all southbound I-235/US-77 ramps will be moved to the far west of the interstate. Motorists are advised to plan extra travel time while traffic adjusts to the new lane configuration Wednesday morning.

No more right turn tomorrow morning. Lane shift to bridge tonight! Sounds like SB will completely be shifted to western most bridge and shift to middle bridge for main traffic will occur in a couple of weeks.

Almost, that says it is happening Tuesday night, so tomorrow is the last day you can take use the temp ramp segments.

Behold!

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011222a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011222b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011222c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011222d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011222e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011222g.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011222f.jpg

the clean up of the temp ramps and the rest of the middle bridge should go very quickly now ..

Yes, the rest of the work is really in areas that are not affected by traffic.

The weather looks nice for the foreseeable future so they should be able to wrap up the remainder pretty quickly now. As you can see, they have a ton of people out there working away.

The end is nigh!

Looks like the only thing left for the northbound lanes is removing the temporary barriers and maybe one final stretch of permanent concrete, does that seem right?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011222d.jpg

^ Yes.

Once they get this bit done, they should be able to completely open the northbound bridge and all northbound lanes to the north and south.

That is probably the first thing they will do.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011222h.jpg

And then what about I-44 beneath it all. It seems to me they are going to have to do some serious surface repair work to get things back into shape after the years of lane shifts, etc. I don't travel on all the new stuff, pretty much just I-44, so that is what I am most looking forward to normalizing.

The lanes that SB is currently on is mostly striped in its permanent configuration. Just a little bit of restriping required where you first exit I-235 and meet up with traffic coming from 63rd. Probably see NB restriped to permanent configuration pretty soon with left lane closed followed shortly by SB shifted to permanent lanes with left lane closed while they build barriers.

Still seems like there's going to be a backup, especially during rush hour, of going SB 235 because of the cloverleafs. You still have the same problem with merging/lane changes with people trying to get on SB 235 and EB 44 in such a short distance. I know there's an extra lane that wasn't there before that hopefully people will be smart enough to stay in if they're not getting on/off 235. But let's be real, this is Oklahoma and we aren't exactly known for great drivers.

Still seems like there's going to be a backup, especially during rush hour, of going SB 235 because of the cloverleafs. You still have the same problem with merging/lane changes with people trying to get on SB 235 and EB 44 in such a short distance. I know there's an extra lane that wasn't there before that hopefully people will be smart enough to stay in if they're not getting on/off 235. But let's be real, this is Oklahoma and we aren't exactly known for great drivers.

There will be a hard divider between the exit/merge areas and through traffic and it will cover a long distance.

Effectively, through traffic will have its own bridge.

There will be a hard divider between the exit/merge areas and through traffic and it will cover a long distance.

Effectively, through traffic will have its own bridge.
I guess(hope) that section will be open by February.

I hope they take the time and effort to beautify this intersection. Seems now would be the time to plant trees, install plantings, landscaping etc.

Lol

I’m sure you’re right, knowing Oklahoma, that my comment deserves an LOL, but it’s just so sad to me that they can spend $100 million dollars (more?) on a highway project and in six months there will just be bare grass in the cloverleafs, probably rutted out with red dirt tracks, whereas most other places in the country would at least try to have some kind of beautification. In newer projects in Missouri like this there are stone and brick terraces with manicured trees and shrubbery.

I suspect ODOT sees trees as fixed hazardous objects in their clear zone, and plantings seem like would need a very stable organization willing to maintain that in perpetuity

You’re probably right. If you use a term like “clear zone” you know more about the issue than I do. I just don’t understand how most other places I visit in this country seem to figure things like this out. Oh well.

Why has xeriscaping not been considered in any of these projects? Super low maintenance and much better to look at than dead grass in the winter and 2 foot tall weeds in the spring.

Plus the use of rocks and native tall grasses can be incredibly beautiful with almost no maintenance required. Much less man hours per year than mowing the weed/grass every week in the spring, anyway.

Why has xeriscaping not been considered in any of these projects? Super low maintenance and much better to look at than dead grass in the winter and 2 foot tall weeds in the spring.

Plus the use of rocks and native tall grasses can be incredibly beautiful with almost no maintenance required. Much less man hours per year than mowing the weed/grass every week in the spring, anyway.

Good question. It seems like landscape maintenance and aesthetics is rarely considered in the build out.

Good question. It seems like landscape maintenance and aesthetics is rarely considered in the build out.

That, and the large areas of open rights of way ODOT loves to purchase and put grass down, they like to let it get full of weeds and nasty crap and look third-world with 2 foot tall weeds, etc. You'd think they'd at least tighten up their footprints around their highways and interchanges and reduce the amount of opens space they have to even maintain.

Took these today (Sunday):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011622a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011622b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011622c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011622d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011622e.jpg

Just a few more weeks!

Weather looks relatively warm and completely dry for the next 10 days, so they should be able to make good progress.

I’ve not posted here in forever but have read the last tons of pages. I can’t believe all the complaints I read.

Having driven this since the very first phase over 10 years ago I can say this last phase was the very best managed by construction crews. They kept speed at least 45 throughout the project and very few accidents compared to prior ones.

Previous phases had 35 mph speed limits which backed traffic up and created more hazards. This time with the higher limit it seemed to flow so much better.

The problem I mentioned pages ago is once done the throttle is removed and its going to rush traffic up to turnpike faster. There you have the same 235/44 bridge type problem with good chunk of traffic wanting to go turnpike west needing to compete in far right lane with merging 235n on traffic. The only good solution is to make the turnpike west ramp start in the left 235n lane and drop you in the left turnpike west lane. With toll plaza gone they could move lames north to make room for this. Or same thing except go over both turnpike lames and drop you in right lanes where plaza was.

Anyways, great job to the construction crew for this major phase, they kept 2 lanes open each way and kept speeds high enough to keep flow going. Well done to them!!! The prior phase was a big mess yet less complicated too. Not sure if same crew or not but a noticeable difference.

Thanks Pete for all your pics. Although not posting for a few years I did mange to read this thread occasionally.

^^^ Most left lane exit/entrance are dangerous... but this may be one that is an exception. They won't do this though.

Likely - The way to prevent backs is to turn the Broadway Ext N/S to West Turnpike merge into 2 lane, they should have some space do to the toll booth closing.

Unlikely - Then limit/remove access from 122nd to North Broadway Ext (no cheap option to keep this access & prevent traffic from backing up)

I agree OTA should rework that NB BWX to WB JKT movement. The current bridge over the railroad poses possible issues. They really should allow two lanes instead of a merge here and they do have the room to finagle that in there, however I still think with the bridge there still will be a slow down. I actually think one of the issues there isn't just the merge there, but also the curve onto the JKT over the railroad bridge. There is no tilt in the grade on that curve causing a natural slow-down. I mean, you take that turn at any speed over 20 you throw everything around in your car and burn off a half inch of your tire tread. Add a second lane there on that curve and I think, with Oklahoma drivers, you get trouble. Realistically it'd be great for them to expand that bridge and rework the grade there to complete the highway movement. OTA has that really wide loop bridge (much like ODOT has done at I44/BWX) and they do that do help keep traffic at or close to highway speeds through interchanges. So OTA has this up here but then completely ruins it with that merge.

Another problem is that ODOT and OTA really don't work very well together, and in my opinion I think it's OTA with the problem. Just look at how some of these turnpikes they build have such awful "dump-offs" to other highways, interstates, or city streets. OTA could have mitigated the JKT/Memorial road congestion by having better exits and onramps like those in larger cities. Anyone you ask up there about that and they view that as a "city" problem, being that of the city of OKC. Your comment about turnpike traffic getting backed up on NB BWX there at the JKT, I mean, who hasn't sat in that fat mess just simply trying to drive by it going up into Edmond? It's terrible. But you ask OTA about that and they refer you to ODOT because it's their problem. Same problems with some of the turnpikes in the Tulsa area. This same issue was awful there at I-40 and JKT, but finally was mitigated with a full ODOT widening of the interstate there and a lot of money. But even still (after having driven the facility yesterday going to/from Yukon/Edmond for gymnastics) even there the merging from SB JKT to WB I-40 is terrible.

IDK, OTA just doesn't play well with others in the sandbox. I thought this over 20 years ago when I briefly worked for the state out of college and I still believe it to be true today.

But, back to your original point -- I think you are absolutely right. ODOT has done a fantastic job here and the backups that used to take place here will just move up to JKT/BWX!

Sorry for the Monday morning rant there.

Unlikely - Then limit/remove access from 122nd to North Broadway Ext (no cheap option to keep this access & prevent traffic from backing up)
Closing access to NB Broadway Extension needs to happen. Drivers can easily get on at Hefner or Memorial instead.

This situation of on ramps so close to major interchanges is infuriating. The situation is particularly awful at the I40/I44 interchange with EB drivers entering at Portland to go NB on I44 and WB drivers entering from Agnew/May to make it all the way over to SB I44.

Closing access to NB Broadway Extension needs to happen. Drivers can easily get on at Hefner or Memorial instead.

This situation of on ramps so close to major interchanges is infuriating. The situation is particularly awful at the I40/I44 interchange with EB drivers entering at Portland to go NB on I44 and WB drivers entering from Agnew/May to make it all the way over to SB I44.
You can't get on at Portland to go eastbound. You can at Meridian though.

You can't get on at Portland to go eastbound. You can at Meridian though.
My apologies - yep. But between that and people moving over to exit at Portland or move over to SB I44 and those racing to get to the far left lane before they're up to speed, lots of good accidents.

I agree OTA should rework that NB BWX to WB JKT movement. The current bridge over the railroad poses possible issues. They really should allow two lanes instead of a merge here and they do have the room to finagle that in there, however I still think with the bridge there still will be a slow down. I actually think one of the issues there isn't just the merge there, but also the curve onto the JKT over the railroad bridge. There is no tilt in the grade on that curve causing a natural slow-down. I mean, you take that turn at any speed over 20 you throw everything around in your car and burn off a half inch of your tire tread. Add a second lane there on that curve and I think, with Oklahoma drivers, you get trouble. Realistically it'd be great for them to expand that bridge and rework the grade there to complete the highway movement. OTA has that really wide loop bridge (much like ODOT has done at I44/BWX) and they do that do help keep traffic at or close to highway speeds through interchanges. So OTA has this up here but then completely ruins it with that merge.

Another problem is that ODOT and OTA really don't work very well together, and in my opinion I think it's OTA with the problem. Just look at how some of these turnpikes they build have such awful "dump-offs" to other highways, interstates, or city streets. OTA could have mitigated the JKT/Memorial road congestion by having better exits and onramps like those in larger cities. Anyone you ask up there about that and they view that as a "city" problem, being that of the city of OKC. Your comment about turnpike traffic getting backed up on NB BWX there at the JKT, I mean, who hasn't sat in that fat mess just simply trying to drive by it going up into Edmond? It's terrible. But you ask OTA about that and they refer you to ODOT because it's their problem. Same problems with some of the turnpikes in the Tulsa area. This same issue was awful there at I-40 and JKT, but finally was mitigated with a full ODOT widening of the interstate there and a lot of money. But even still (after having driven the facility yesterday going to/from Yukon/Edmond for gymnastics) even there the merging from SB JKT to WB I-40 is terrible.

IDK, OTA just doesn't play well with others in the sandbox. I thought this over 20 years ago when I briefly worked for the state out of college and I still believe it to be true today.

But, back to your original point -- I think you are absolutely right. ODOT has done a fantastic job here and the backups that used to take place here will just move up to JKT/BWX!

Sorry for the Monday morning rant there.
Really the game should be find a highway to highway interchange in Oklahoma that DOESN'T need to be redesigned. lol

I’ve not posted here in forever but have read the last tons of pages. I can’t believe all the complaints I read.

Having driven this since the very first phase over 10 years ago I can say this last phase was the very best managed by construction crews. They kept speed at least 45 throughout the project and very few accidents compared to prior ones.

What complaint specifically "can you not believe you read?" So far all the complaints are perfectly valid. I don't think anyone is blaming the construction crews. They've done great and worked fast. It isn't their fault it has taken so long, it's ODOT, or arguably the state. But ODOT's requirement is to keep access to not cause minor inconveniences to people that could be avoid by simply taking a detour route. Just because there was luck afoot doesn't mean there isn't criticism to dish out given you don't see setups like that in many states.

Still, I would say the fact that there weren't any wrecks kind of dampers the notion OKC drivers are horrible.

Closing access to NB Broadway Extension needs to happen. Drivers can easily get on at Hefner or Memorial instead.


Never happen due to the industry on 122nd. Both Dolese and Schwartz have ready mix plants nearby and there are 2 or 3 large warehouses that seem to generate a lot of traffic.

I've had the opportunity to drive several ramps of this interchange over the last week and it's really quite nice. Can't wait until it's completely open to full capacity.

Never happen due to the industry on 122nd. Both Dolese and Schwartz have ready mix plants nearby and there are 2 or 3 large warehouses that seem to generate a lot of traffic.
Then the lanes need to be separated or the TP entrance needs to start before the on-ramp or something because it’s a giant cluster.

Just took these (Wednesday around 1PM):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011922a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011922b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235011922c.jpg

Can someone explain to me how those two cloverleafs on the west side are going to be less of a cluster **** then the two clover leafs were that used to be on the east side? Cars trying to get on 235 playing bumper cars with cars getting off 235. Just a different direction. What am I missing here?

Can someone explain to me how those two cloverleafs on the west side are going to be less of a cluster **** then the two clover leafs were that used to be on the east side? Cars trying to get on 235 playing bumper cars with cars getting off 235. Just a different direction. What am I missing here?

South bound 235 is divided. Pass through traffic is on the east side where entry / exit from 44 on the west. Plus you're talking 5 total lanes here.

Plus there is way lower traffic counts on the cloverleafs on the west side than it was on the east side before they were replaced.

South bound 235 is divided. Pass through traffic is on the east side where entry / exit from 44 on the west. Plus you're talking 5 total lanes here.

Yes! I noticed this when driving through it last week and I think it's a great idea. Your thru traffic won't have to deal with the slower speeds of the slower merging traffic because they will have plenty of time to get up to speed before coming into a full merge at highway speeds with the thru traffic. Man, that's kind of confusing. LOL

You still have cars entering and exiting jockeying for the same lane. But whatever.

You still have cars entering and exiting jockeying for the same lane. But whatever.

True but not as many as when it was congested with pass through traffic.

You still have cars entering and exiting jockeying for the same lane. But whatever.

I really don't think you are understanding the full picture yet. Please wait until the project is completed in a month or so and then comment.

You still have cars entering and exiting jockeying for the same lane. But whatever.

but not part of the main south bound traffic ..

^

And now in addition to the merge lane, there are two other completely separate lanes, not counting the 3 for the through traffic.

From this (Sunday) morning:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235012322a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235012322x.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235012322xx.jpg

Just a small pour here and there and it's essentially finished!