i think the University has done a good enough job of making sure that Cherokee Gothic is getting it's time to shine... i personally would like to see other architecture themes used...

but i agree 100% that the current wall is hideous
Personally I enjoy a city / community that has an architecture theme.
I think it helps the coolness factor, the attractiveness and helps gives a city an identity.
Cherokee Gothic architecture just happens to be best suited for Norman IMHO.

In general, at least here in the metro I have noticed that whoever builds highways doesn't like long merge lanes for some reason even when there is ample space to build them. At least they did it right at Shields and the the 240 eastbound to 35 southbound exit (only the merge lane-the rest of the layout is obviously bad).

BTW - it appears there was another fatality accident in the Main St. work zone today (southbound). Again not surprising considering how constricted they made the 2 lanes with the concrete barriers so close on each side.

i think it has less to do with the width of the lanes as much as i don't think they slow you down enough

i think it has less to do with the width of the lanes as much as i don't think they slow you down enough

55 does seem to be a bit fast for there. I would think 45-50 would be more appropriate. Granted most still do 60-70 mph, so perhaps more radar enforcement.

there were two officers working that area this morning when i went through... they had someone pulled over going each direction... this is necessary so that hopefully people will learn to slow down through this area

... this is necessary so that hopefully people will learn to slow down through this area

They'd have to camp there 24/7 for 2-3 weeks, and a few hours, at most, after they pulled out, the traffic would begin to speed up again.

so very true. i normally take 35 all the way to highway 9, and then over to the East side to get home... but just because of this construction, i have been getting off on 77, and taking tecumseh over to E 24th...

so very true. i normally take 35 all the way to highway 9, and then over to the East side to get home... but just because of this construction, i have been getting off on 77, and taking tecumseh over to E 24th...

I've noticed it is a wash when it comes to the time difference using either for me. I can even go down and just take Robinson across and it is still about the same amount of time. I think you end up making a good deal of time with 77 going SE cutting through most of Norman.

Just an FYI for those using Robinson in Norman today, the 13th.
They've been working on the lights at Berry/Robinson and there's been a 4 way stop sign most of the morning. Not sure when they might finish.

BTW - it appears there was another fatality accident in the Main St. work zone today (southbound). Again not surprising considering how constricted they made the 2 lanes with the concrete barriers so close on each side.

I agree with the 2 small lanes and concrete barriers being an issue. I've seen semis drift into the left lane from the right multiple times when going north on I-35 because you can tell they're trying to avoid the barrier. Pretty scary.

I agree with the 2 small lanes and concrete barriers being an issue. I've seen semis drift into the left lane from the right multiple times when going north on I-35 because you can tell they're trying to avoid the barrier. Pretty scary.

Yeah, I already have a paranoia to not right besides someone or sit in their blind spot (especially semis) so through this area I either get passed them or just chill out until out of the zone.

From Moore Monthly


Main Street Interchange in Norman Set to Open
by Rob Morris
Apr 14, 2014

Construction of the new Main Street interchange in Norman has created a temper-testing bottleneck for traffic along I-35 for what seems like forever, but there's good news. That bottleneck could come to an end as early as today. Construction crews are putting the final touches on the $30 million project.

The reconfiguration of the overpass has replaced the old interchange with longer on-and-off ramps and a wider bridge. Traffic engineers say the "single point" interchange will use a single set of traffic lights in the center of the bridge to manage a larger volume of traffic. I-35 has also been widened from four to six lanes of traffic one-half mile on both sides of the interchange.

The project began in January of 2013 and includes bridge artwork depicting the Oklahoma Land Run.

- See more at: News | Moore Monthly (http://www.mooremonthly.com/news/main-street-interchange-in-norman-set-to-open#sthash.HXiqSOBV.dpuf)

Traffic on I-35 got moved over to the new part...which is all wonderful asphalt (buckling in 2-3 years?). OHP should have a much easier time pulling people over speeding through the construction zone now.

Traffic on I-35 got moved over to the new part...which is all wonderful asphalt (buckling in 2-3 years?). OHP should have a much easier time pulling people over speeding through the construction zone now.Wow, they're seriously using asphalt for this? smh... when the hell is ODOT going to get with the program. Makes no sense honestly, it doesn't last as long as cement and doesn't look as good either. Concrete also stays cooler than asphalt, due to asphalt being black.

Wow, they're seriously using asphalt for this? smh... when the hell is ODOT going to get with the program. Makes no sense honestly, it doesn't last as long as cement and doesn't look as good either. Concrete also stays cooler than asphalt, due to asphalt being black.

My only hope is that it is the same mix that they used north of Main St when they redid that section. It evacuates water really well that you get almost zero standing water on the surface at all. It also has very little glare when wet and seems to offer better traction.

To be fair, the ramps/bridges are full concrete it appears.

I wonder why they used asphalt for the new interstate lanes? Seems like a poor choice.

A few questions for Normanites:
- How is construction progressing on the HWY 9 interchange? What's the timeline for that interchange to be done?
- Does Lindsey St. work begin now that Main St. is done?

I wonder why they used asphalt for the new interstate lanes? Seems like a poor choice.

A few questions for Normanites:
- How is construction progressing on the HWY 9 interchange? What's the timeline for that interchange to be done?
- Does Lindsey St. work begin now that Main St. is done?

They just started construction on the new Hwy 9 overpass. So there really isn't much to report right now.

I believe Lindsey doesn't start until Hwy 9 is mostly complete since the bridges will be removed in both instances, they don't want to close both crossings at once.

I don't know how accurate this is but somebody told me that construction on the Lindsey street overpass will start this June or July and that they would start by moving the utility's and such.... But that they would wait until after football season to start most of the major construction.... just as they have done many times in the past.

South bound I-35 at Hy 9 has an ramp under construction and some Hy-9 bridge work being done...
I really wish they would extend HY-9 to SW 60 / Western with intersections at SW 36th and at SW 48th.

Wow, they're seriously using asphalt for this? smh... when the hell is ODOT going to get with the program. Makes no sense honestly, it doesn't last as long as cement and doesn't look as good either. Concrete also stays cooler than asphalt, due to asphalt being black.


If they will keep it sealed and if they have done a good job on the base with a thick layer of asphalt it can last a very long time. Just on the drive by it looks like they have put (about) a 2 foot asphalt base with compacted gravel and drainage below that?

Building our roads right from the very start like Texas usually does is the key IMHO.
It usually pays off in the long run.
For many years Texas built its highways that significantly exceeded Federal standards...A department head field supervisor who is an engineer for the State of Texas told me this several years ago.

I hope Oklahoma has learned something about building and maintaining our roads better than we have often seen.

I really wish they would extend HY-9 to SW 60 / Western with intersections at SW 36th and at SW 48th.

They it wouldn't be Hwy 9 since it goes south along I-35 to get across the river. :)

There isn't any need to really extend a highway that direction anyway. There are a couple neighborhoods but the bulk of the population is caught by Main Street or 36th/Lindsey. Beyond 48th there are just fields mostly with one or two houses. 60th doesn't even run all the way to Main.

Building our roads right from the very start like Texas usually does is the key IMHO.
It usually pays off in the long run.
For many years Texas built its highways that significantly exceeded Federal standards...A department head field supervisor who is an engineer for the State of Texas told me this several years ago.

I hope Oklahoma has learned something about building and maintaining our roads better than we have often seen.

But then ODOT's contractor cronies would lose money not repairing and replacing the roads every few years. :rolleyes:

Do you honestly think that is what is going to though? Hopefully ODOT isn't that corrupt.

Do you honestly think that is what is going to though? Hopefully ODOT isn't that corrupt.

I would not be surprised in the least. Isn't the ODOT boss a former asphalt lobbyist?

I would not be surprised in the least. Isn't the ODOT boss a former asphalt lobbyist?That's what I've heard. If that is the case, he needs to be relieved of his duties, asap.

If they will keep it sealed and if they have done a good job on the base with a thick layer of asphalt it can last a very long time. Just on the drive by it looks like they have put (about) a 2 foot asphalt base with compacted gravel and drainage below that?

Building our roads right from the very start like Texas usually does is the key IMHO.
It usually pays off in the long run.
For many years Texas built its highways that significantly exceeded Federal standards...A department head field supervisor who is an engineer for the State of Texas told me this several years ago.

I hope Oklahoma has learned something about building and maintaining our roads better than we have often seen.

I don't know how true it is but I heard from somewhere that the head of ODOT is keeping us on a very outdated California standard from like the 60s or 70s, that he refers to it as the bible and knows it cover to cover, which is why he is insistent on not moving to something else.

I-35/Main opens this evening. Highway 9 is the next interchange and then Lindsey will be touched.

i-35/main opens this evening. Highway 9 is the next interchange and then lindsey will be touched.

whattttt

Opens at midnight.


Norman Bridge At I-35 And Main Street Re-Opens

Posted: Apr 16, 2014 9:09 PM CDT
Updated: Apr 16, 2014 9:09 PM CDT
By Steve Shaw, News 9 - bio | email

NORMAN, Oklahoma - Folks who live in the south metro will be happy campers when the clock strikes midnight Wednesday night. That's when ODOT will re-open the Main Street and I-35 Interchange for the first time in several months.

Bruce Milner is General Manager of Dillard Group Real Estate in Norman.

"We're excited because people are going to stop here and do business, and the first thing they're going to do is move to Norman," he said.

Phyllis Duffey owns "Cutting Edge" Salon on Main, just east of the Main Street bridge.

"You know I am very excited," she said.

Duffey says legions of OU football fans this year won't have to deal with the game day traffic detours the construction caused last season.

http://kwtv.images.worldnow.com/images/25268667_BG1.jpg

- Norman Bridge At I-35 And Main Street Re-Opens - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/25268667/norman-bridge-at-i-35-and-main-street-re-opens)

Oh...and the contractor fails at leveling pavement. There is a very noticeable drop in the pavement level going on to the new section. Sigh.

I don't go to the west side that often but I have watched the transformation of the interchange from the few times I have traversed the bridge. Looks pretty neat.

Oh...and the contractor fails at leveling pavement. There is a very noticeable drop in the pavement level going on to the new section. Sigh.

This is the exact BS I was railing against in another thread where someone asked what the problem is with OK roads. This type of nonsense. Watch it start to sink and crumble now within a year of being open.

Is there some kind of Park or Shrine in the middle of this bridge? I thought I noticed something when I drove across the other day. It seemed a really weird place to have something.

This is the exact BS I was railing against in another thread where someone asked what the problem is with OK roads. This type of nonsense. Watch it start to sink and crumble now within a year of being open.I don't like this, but I like this comment, if that makes any sense lol ;)

With all that land now open by taking out the cloverleafs, would that be available for development or left open?

Probably left open...state won't be giving up right of way haha

So far the more entertaining part of the new section are people that don't realize the right lane is now exit only onto Lindsey/Hwy 9. So many brake lights and swerving at the last minute...and yes they have a sign up, but people don't pay attention to signs.

It isn't fun not to swerve across 4 lanes of traffic endangering peoples lives man!!! ;) j/k

I've enjoyed the people who didn't realize the merge from 9/Lindsey onto 35N is open and still frantically merge left only to realize the lane doesn't end anymore.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Yes the lack of needing to really merge anymore is so nice. Now I'm wondering how long it will take for people to realize the speed limit is still 55 through there. NPD and OHP could be making a killing right now. LOL