...that really does look like Hwy 9 Norman. Did ODOT get the address wrong?


nah. light poles are too nice to be H9

The old bridges really look terrible. You would think they would have at least redecked them. Also, I was the only driving west, so still a long ways away from that ODOT prediction. Lol

And there still are no trees in the median nor on the side of the highway ... er i mean boulevard... you know to block the ugly industrial areas from all the tourists who will use this as a gateway to our downtown.

I drove down it going east, it's a big waste of money in my opinion and not necessary. Those $$$ could have gone a long way in rebuilding around the grid. At 45 mph it will be a great speed trap like Hwy 9.

I drove down it going east, it's a big waste of money in my opinion and not necessary. Those $$$ could have gone a long way in rebuilding around the grid. At 45 mph it will be a great speed trap like Hwy 9.

It is almost like we wanted to get a photo from OKC of what not to do back into the slide deck of Jeff Speck, this segment is a great example of a strode.

All ODOT engineers are concerned with is moving traffic as quickly and as efficiently as possible. They aren't concerned with walkability, placemaking, or anything else of that nature. Those who are expecting such will likely be disappointed with the final product, at least initially. I haven't kept up with this entire thing, but if it is being turned over to the city, that is where its going to be transformed from a typical suburban highway to something hopefully close to what was originally envisioned.

Personally I think this is the standard that more suburban thoroughfares in OKC should be built to. I do however agree that all new construction should have at least basic sidewalks whether its a pedestrian friendly area or not.

Drove it both ways yesterday driving to and from the game with my dad, who I picked up at his house in far NW OKC. It's basically still a controlled access highway (no access at Blackwelder, for instance), and intersections are "exits" rather than intersections. It definitely serves as a giant, LLLLOOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG exit ramp and nothing else. I don't think it is possible for anything along this alignment to be considered city street. As built, the "boulevard" really can only start around the end of it. They have repurposed the previously-used bridges and on/off ramps, so it feels oddly familiar.

One interesting and unexpected positive is that I think it actually might help activate the farmers market area, because the Klein exit (the current termination) dumps you onto Reno staring directly into the market district. It is definitely on display and will see significantly more vehicle traffic. Hopefully as the road itself continues east it will remain at grade and become walkable so that it doesn't cut off the market.

As a downtown lover it's pretty awful, but as an automobile driver (all that matters to ODOT) it was of course wonderful. It allowed me to bypass the congestion at the Western and Shields exits, and since nobody else knows it exists, I was literally the only vehicle on it both times. It felt like a private, me-only freeway. Every driver's fantasy. That part won't last long, of course.

I personally didn't have a problem with this particular part of the blvd but if the rest of it is like this, I will be extremely disappointed, especially the area directly south of DT/BT. By the way, how is the boulevard going to work when it comes to the Shields, rail line? Where will it elevate to get over it and where will it come back down on the other side? Will there be an exit for Shields built?

It's supposed to go under the rail line last I saw.

I personally didn't have a problem with this particular part of the blvd but if the rest of it is like this, I will be extremely disappointed, especially the area directly south of DT/BT. By the way, how is the boulevard going to work when it comes to the Shields, rail line? Where will it elevate to get over it and where will it come back down on the other side? Will there be an exit for Shields built?

It will have a street light at Shields then go under the rail line that is parallel to Shields and start ramping up to clear the canal & freeways near Joe Carter Ave

It will have a street light at Shields then go under the rail line that is parallel to Shields and start ramping up to clear the canal & freeways near Joe Carter Ave

So, it will basically just dip under the rail line? Then why are the old I-40 posts still next to the rail line? I figured they were keeping them up for th Boulevard to go over.

I plan to hit the empty, sweeping curves on it pretty hard with my motorcycle later this week. I'll report back afterwards... ;)

So, it will basically just dip under the rail line? Then why are the old I-40 posts still next to the rail line? I figured they were keeping them up for th Boulevard to go over.

I'm guessing here, but there was a time when they weren't sure if they were going over or under, so I presume they left them there in case they went over. The trouble with going over is doing that and also staying at grade around the arena is basically not possible, if I recall correctly.

1st: Did you actually read the article you posted?



2nd:

Why does it matter if the trees are in-place when the road is opened to traffic?

Yes I read it, that is why I posted it. Is frozen earth (tundra) a problem in OKC? I know it gets cold but the ground rarely freezes. As for your second item, did the road open to traffic or did it get handed over to the city? If the road is still a work in progress then there is time for ODOT to add the landscaping. However, if it was turned over to the City, and the City accepted it as is - then why wasn't the landscaping put in by ODOT?

So, it will basically just dip under the rail line? Then why are the old I-40 posts still next to the rail line? I figured they were keeping them up for th Boulevard to go over.

My guess is that those were the second largest concrete columns associated with the old Crosstown and since they were in a hurry to re-open Shields access back up they only destroyed the ones south of the U-Haul building but left these up until Boulevard construction actually starts. The plan has always been to go under the tracks. You can see that in the original animated computer renderings associated with MAPS3.

My guess is that those were the second largest concrete columns associated with the old Crosstown and since they were in a hurry to re-open Shields access back up they only destroyed the ones south of the U-Haul building but left these up until Boulevard construction actually starts. The plan has always been to go under the tracks. You can see that in the original animated computer renderings associated with MAPS3.

Not tearing them down until later makes sense but you can understand my reasoning for thinking it would go over.

No offense, but so much of the Boulevard, convention center and park have changed since the original renderings that I wasn't sure what was still on any more.

Not tearing them down until later makes sense but you can understand my reasoning for thinking it would go over.

No offense, but so much of the Boulevard, convention center and park have changed since the original renderings that I wasn't sure what was still on any more.

None taken. It's kinda funny cause, to me, they're like OKC's version of the Berlin Wall, lol...

The road is alright. It really looks as if they designed it to be widened to 6 lanes. It also seems it will become a popular campout for the po. 60 to a 45, awwww yeeaaaah.

Anyhow, again, why is this asphalt, I thought it was going to be cement... I'm sure ODOT will include landscaping later. This one part of the BLVD. is acceptable however if they continue this, it will not be friendly to pedestrians obviously. The cement issue is not that big of a deal, it would just be nice to truly have a god road here.

The road is alright. It really looks as if they designed it to be widened to 6 lanes. It also seems it will become a popular campout for the po. 60 to a 45, awwww yeeaaaah.

Anyhow, again, why is this asphalt, I thought it was going to be cement... I'm sure ODOT will include landscaping later. This one part of the BLVD. is acceptable however if they continue this, it will not be friendly to pedestrians obviously. The cement issue is not that big of a deal, it would just be nice to truly have a god road here.

Oh, come on PluPan. This is no different than your favorite speed trap where Broadway Extension morphs into Broadway and drops from 60 to 45 in a half mile.

Good news for the possibility of eventually extending California to Hudson and preserving the Crystal Bridge sight line. The OG&E development on the Stage Center site will not place a permanent structure on the Festival Plaza.

Oh, come on PluPan. This is no different than your favorite speed trap where Broadway Extension morphs into Broadway and drops from 60 to 45 in a half mile.I know. I'm just saying I bet it will become another one soon.

I'd better haul a** on it on my motorcycle before they (and other drivers) discover it. Expect to do so today.

Good news for the possibility of eventually extending California to Hudson and preserving the Crystal Bridge sight line. The OG&E development on the Stage Center site will not place a permanent structure on the Festival Plaza.

Upon further review (and more renderings becoming available) it appears the design calls for the ramp into the underground garage is in the California ROW. Crap.

If no one is using the west end of the Blvd., maybe they could lease it out to the Street Outlaw folks for a while.

I use it on the way home. On the way to work I do not because I don't want to cross five lanes of traffic to get to the I-44W exit in that short distance during the morning rush.

I'd better haul a** on it on my motorcycle before they (and other drivers) discover it. Expect to do so today.Took an F430 on it the other day and got some major speed. There was literally no one around, that will change very quickly though.

I wanted to drive it tonight and it was me going eastbound and I think three cars going westbound. At Klein, you can only turn right toward Reno. It's my guess that will be a full intersection once the rest of the boulevard is constructed.

I took the "crosstown boulevard" exit today. It's basically another highway so far. The posted speed limit is 45 but it's constructed and feels like you should go 60, which I did. That's the unfortunate mistake here. If you want people to go 45, then construct the road and it's interaction with it's surroundings as such.

I need to lend ODOT a copy of NACTO's Urban Street Design Guidebook.

So now we have a third empty thoroughfare going west from downtown between 10th and Reno:

Linwood, Main/General Pershing, and the "Boulevard."

I took the "crosstown boulevard" exit today. It's basically another highway so far. The posted speed limit is 45 but it's constructed and feels like you should go 60, which I did. That's the unfortunate mistake here. If you want people to go 45, then construct the road and it's interaction with it's surroundings as such.

I need to lend ODOT a copy of NACTO's Urban Street Design Guidebook.

Of course, they will say:

"You wanted a street with a low speed limit right?"

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRBv9h2t5Mg_CbRJSVsScLiuw1s7tbCW aAKvkUFnitK10MaVQu_3w

Drove it both ways yesterday driving to and from the game with my dad, who I picked up at his house in far NW OKC. It's basically still a controlled access highway (no access at Blackwelder, for instance), and intersections are "exits" rather than intersections. It definitely serves as a giant, LLLLOOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG exit ramp and nothing else. I don't think it is possible for anything along this alignment to be considered city street. As built, the "boulevard" really can only start around the end of it. They have repurposed the previously-used bridges and on/off ramps, so it feels oddly familiar.

One interesting and unexpected positive is that I think it actually might help activate the farmers market area, because the Klein exit (the current termination) dumps you onto Reno staring directly into the market district. It is definitely on display and will see significantly more vehicle traffic. Hopefully as the road itself continues east it will remain at grade and become walkable so that it doesn't cut off the market.

As a downtown lover it's pretty awful, but as an automobile driver (all that matters to ODOT) it was of course wonderful. It allowed me to bypass the congestion at the Western and Shields exits, and since nobody else knows it exists, I was literally the only vehicle on it both times. It felt like a private, me-only freeway. Every driver's fantasy. That part won't last long, of course.

Great post. Sounds like I need to break in the Mustang on this.

I'm not going to read through the pages and pages through this thread, but can anyone tell me if Reno was Considered at all to be the "boulevard"?

It was considered yes. Forcibly considered. Technically a decision has not been made to approve ODOT's proposal for the center sections by the Federal Government. The additional review was forced by Friends for a Better Boulevard.

Reno is unlikely though.

I drive by the west end boulevard connection 5 days a week. Today I saw 2 cars exiting east bound. I've seen only 1 car entering the interstate westbound though, for the past week.

Branding Fail? | News OK (http://newsok.com/branding-fail/article/3915978)

I agree with the article. The city needs to call it something more imaginative than Oklahoma City Boulevard. If we are a big league city, we have to start coming up with more creative names for things aside from "Oklahoma City" or "Thunder." Why not Mick Cornett Blvd? Ray Ackerman Blvd? Freedom Blvd? Pretty much anything is better than OKC Blvd, with the exception of "The Big Friendly."

Branding Fail? | News OK (http://newsok.com/branding-fail/article/3915978)

I agree with the article. The city needs to call it something more imaginative than Oklahoma City Boulevard. If we are a big league city, we have to start coming up with more creative names for things aside from "Oklahoma City" or "Thunder." Why not Mick Cornett Blvd? Ray Ackerman Blvd? Freedom Blvd? Pretty much anything is better than OKC Blvd, with the exception of "The Big Friendly."

As in the picture it says 'Crosstown Boulevard' today. This morning about 7:00 am, I saw 3 cars exit eastbound on it.

Just going to leave this here.

Courtesy of Bing Desktop

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/CuatrodeMayo/BingWallpaper-2013-12-20_zps09c855c8.jpg

I've probably used it ten times now, and last night was the first time I've seen other vehicles (two, both going the opposite direction). Of course, I recall a very similar experience when first using the Kilpatrick Turnpike upon its completion, and now it is quite busy.

And yes, I have now ridden my motorcycle on it, and can confirm that it is currently an excellent place to run on two wheels at a... ...well, let's call it a brisk pace.

If they had named it Kevin Durant Boulevard, everyone would be driving on it...

I hope they end up signing the one end California and not trying to come up with some odd ziz-zag route like it would be worth anyone driving from ramp to the other.

KD Drive or Westbrook Way.

If they had named it Kevin Durant Boulevard, everyone would be driving on it...

No…they'd be driving on it if they called it "James Harden Road"…It sounds so much easier that way...

No…they'd be driving on it if they called it "James Harden Road"…It sounds so much easier that way...

Kind of why it is best to reserve naming important things after people till after they are dead, since they won't make any decitions that will piss of large groups, plus wait long enough all the skeletons are out of the closet.

Branding Fail? | News OK (http://newsok.com/branding-fail/article/3915978)

I agree with the article. The city needs to call it something more imaginative than Oklahoma City Boulevard. If we are a big league city, we have to start coming up with more creative names for things aside from "Oklahoma City" or "Thunder." Why not Mick Cornett Blvd? Ray Ackerman Blvd? Freedom Blvd? Pretty much anything is better than OKC Blvd, with the exception of "The Big Friendly."

Good for Steve for calling out the Mayor for this.

Is there anyone other than Mick that thinks "Oklahoma City Boulevard" -- running very near the Oklahoma River, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma - is a good name??

I like Red Bud Boulevard or ANYTHING else better.

In my perfect world, the east portion would be named SW 3rd Street, and the west portion California Avenue

=)

Pete, you forgot about the intersection with Oklahoma Avenue...

Pete, you forgot about the intersection with Oklahoma Avenue...

....which is Compress Avenue.

It's Compress south of Uhaul is it Compress between UHaul and Reno? Didn't realize if so...

....which is Compress Avenue.

At least at one point they said they are moving it to the other side of the building

It's Compress south of Uhaul is it Compress between UHaul and Reno? Didn't realize if so...

I just remember seeing it that way on the boulevard graphic. If it's Oklahoma then all the more confusing as in your original post ;-)

If they called it Westbrook way, folks would drive it more aggressively.

Good for Steve for calling out the Mayor for this.

Is there anyone other than Mick that thinks "Oklahoma City Boulevard" -- running very near the Oklahoma River, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma - is a good name??

I like Red Bud Boulevard or ANYTHING else better.

I understand their reasoning for calling everything "Oklahoma City" is to avoid controversy, but in reality it comes off as lame. It's little things that give a place character especially years down the line. Red Bud would be a good option too. They could line the existing portion with red bud trees. It would look awesome in April.

If they called it Westbrook way, folks would drive it more aggressively.

We should name the new park The Basket...that way, we can drive to The Basket via the Westbrook Way!

I understand their reasoning for calling everything "Oklahoma City" is to avoid controversy, but in reality it comes off as lame. It's little things that give a place character especially years down the line. Red Bud would be a good option too. They could line the existing portion with red bud trees. It would look awesome in April.

and really crappy after mega ice storms that happen after MM retires.

Here is something fun:
http://andrewkstewart.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/rendering_8-29-1400.jpg (http://andrewkstewart.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/the-better-boulevard-part-i-market-circle/)

I think ODOT is building that there, permanently. ;)

That is beyond cool Cuatro! (Although the Audi R8R TDI should be far far far ahead!! :) )

Here is something fun:
http://andrewkstewart.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/rendering_8-29-1400.jpg (http://andrewkstewart.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/the-better-boulevard-part-i-market-circle/)

Bummed. For some reason, your graphics never show on my computer. Is it possible to duplicate your blog post on this forum with images?
Is it possible that there's some trick to viewing those graphics on your blog that an old fart like myself could learn? Also, please don't underestimate the depth to my ignorance.
I sure enjoyed seeing your original market circle concepts on this forum.

here is a direct link: http://andrewkstewart.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/rendering_8-29-1400.jpg

Fantastic!