I for one am glad this is getting done, it's about time. The way most drivers (or should I say wannabe racers) come off from I-35 having absolutely no regard for Main Street traffic is dissapointing. When there is a clearly marked "Yield" sign right before the exit merges onto Main, but hardly anyone seems to care. The new design will put an end to all of that.

Source: Norman Transcript (http://normantranscript.com/headlines/x520557022/Construction-will-close-lanes-in-coming-months)

i love the interchange at Morgan road. can't wait for it to be at main street!

This is going to be a very nice upgrade and I look forward to the finished product!

On a related note, are they going to be redoing the lanes of I-35 in conjunction with this bridge work like they did on I-40 and Morgan Rd. or is that even in the plans?

I also saw that they're going to be redoing the bridge over the Canadian River south of this area. Lots of work getting ready to start in Norman.

It’s good to see this starting.

Traffic over the river is going to be backed up even more during construction. I hope the state strongly suggest alternative routes.
It’s too bad we don’t have a second bridge over the river in the Norman area. We need one.

ODOT’s suggested construction sequencing has the interchange at Main and I-35 closed during part of the construction. ODOT is currently allocating 500 days for construction. Once completed, the bridge will have eight lanes, three in each direction and two turn lanes onto I-35. That will mean that Main St. will have three lanes in each direction between 24 St. NW and 36 St. NW.

It’s good to see this starting.

Traffic over the river is going to be backed up even more during construction. I hope the state strongly suggest alternative routes.
It’s too bad we don’t have a second bridge over the river in the Norman area. We need one.

The river shouldn't be too bad. Since they are just adding an additional lane each way (going to 10 total) it should only impact the far right lanes. Of course it still gets backed up now during certain times, but shouldn't be as bad as it was the last time they worked on it.

Venture, I'm rarely down that far south, but is traffic that bad that we really need to expand that bridge already? Perhaps the casino is really drawing that many people...

Thinking about the expansion on both sides, the area around Lindsey St. is going to be an absolute nightmare bottleneck for awhile.

The river shouldn't be too bad. Since they are just adding an additional lane each way (going to 10 total) it should only impact the far right lanes. Of course it still gets backed up now during certain times, but shouldn't be as bad as it was the last time they worked on it.I would bet that traffic counts have substantially increased since the last major work was done.
The I-35 backup will be well north into Norman during peak periods of time and will mean more traffic on city of Norman streets.

This is really going to be a pain in the ass for awhile, but I really believe the end result will be worth it. It's going to be nice.

The way most drivers (or should I say wannabe racers) come off from I-35 having absolutely no regard for Main Street traffic is dissapointing. When there is a clearly marked "Yield" sign right before the exit merges onto Main, but hardly anyone seems to care.

on robinson, you get your own lane coming off the interchange. i don't know if i'm "most drivers" but not being a regular visitor to the area, i typically get the layout of the two confused. i've been overly cautious merging onto robinson and have had a few "oh crap" moments merging onto main for this exact reason. -M

Venture, I'm rarely down that far south, but is traffic that bad that we really need to expand that bridge already? Perhaps the casino is really drawing that many people...

Thinking about the expansion on both sides, the area around Lindsey St. is going to be an absolute nightmare bottleneck for awhile.

I normally only see it backed up around the bridge during times when there is something major going on at Riverwind or there is an accident. I've seen far more slow downs due to heavy congestion further north mainly due to the narrowing at Main Street.


I would bet that traffic counts have substantially increased since the last major work was done.
The I-35 backup will be well north into Norman during peak periods of time and will mean more traffic on city of Norman streets.

There will be backups but nothing of a Carmegeddon nature. LOL

More traffic on city streets is bound to happen. What else are building streets for except to use them? If we want a community of higher density than that will equate to higher traffic levels. If the issues on 35 become to much, then people will adjust and we can see traffic shifting more to Sooner Road/12th and Flood/77.

I had no idea what a SPUI was or how it worked so I went and found this video if anyone else is interested.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwpoPQ1SPJU

About the second needed River Bridge near Norman…

This is where an east metro by-pass could incorporate a river bridge just northwest of Noble.
A Norman spur from Jenkins should be built south to connect the by-pass on the north side of the bridge.
Thru I-35 traffic and traffic headed to points east and north could use the by-pass reducing traffic loads on I-35 for the rest of us.

About the second needed River Bridge near Norman…

This is where an east metro by-pass could incorporate a river bridge just northwest of Noble.
A Norman spur from Jenkins should be built south to connect the by-pass on the north side of the bridge.
Thru I-35 traffic and traffic headed to points east and north could use the by-pass reducing traffic loads on I-35 for the rest of us.

Don't really see a point there. A better option would be having a by pass along Indian Hills out to Hwy 37/I-44. Another option would be a bridge along what would be 48th SW down to Hwy 9.

Don't really see a point there. A better option would be having a by pass along Indian Hills out to Hwy 37/I-44. Another option would be a bridge along what would be 48th SW down to Hwy 9.
An I-35 by-pass around the east metro has been discussed by state officials.

After crossing the bridge over the river west of Noble the freeway would -- Y-- with on branch headed to south Jenkins and with the other branch headed toward the SE area of Norman before turning to the north and around the east OKC metro.

This option would give the OKC metro a ligament by-pass to I-35. It would provide a southern entrance to OU and help relive congestion on Lindsey and on highway 9 on a daily bases. By 4 landing such streets as Lindsey and Robison to the east, the east by- pass would let football traffic enter and leave Norman much faster. Fans from the eastern side of the metro or from the eastern parts of the state would use it reducing traffic out of Norman and make Norman safer by decongesting the local streets much quicker.

I would agree that a by-pass is needed somewhere along Indian Hills out to Hwy 37/I-44.
But this by-pass should extend the all the way to the I -35 eastern by pass around the east side of the OKC metro.

I can respect what you are proposing, since I'm backed an eastern loop for East Norman and relieving Sooner Road. I just see easier bridges that can be done quicker than a new highway. Plus chances are it will need to be a turnpike as well to even take place, and we know how well that will go over. LOL

We also have to be concerned with allowing too much sprawl to get encouraged without filling in central areas of Norman. We already let the NW side go crazy.

I don't want to de-rail the topic but the east side bypass has always brought up the following questions in my mind:

Since Norman officially goes all the way to the eastern edge of Lake Thunderbird I'm wondering if the area know nas the "east side" i.e. east of downtown would now be actually part of central Norman? Or is it still the east side as is known colloquially?

On a separate note, Norman's estimated 2011 population at least as listed on Wikipedia is 113,273 residents, can anyone confirm that?

I don't want to de-rail the topic but the east side bypass has always brought up the following questions in my mind:

Since Norman officially goes all the way to the eastern edge of Lake Thunderbird I'm wondering if the area know nas the "east side" i.e. east of downtown would now be actually part of central Norman? Or is it still the east side as is known colloquially?

On a separate note, Norman's estimated 2011 population at least as listed on Wikipedia is 113,273 residents, can anyone confirm that?

Yeah it is hard to say how to divide Norman up. You could almost say East Norman is the Lake area. Central Norman is the area from the Western edge of the lake to about 12th East. West Norman anywhere west of 12th. I would imagine any East Side By-Pass would need to come up between 48th and 60th and then probably stay to the west side of Draper Lake.

Right now I take East Norman to be pretty much anything east of the tracks outside of Downtown.

... The way most drivers (or should I say wannabe racers) come off from I-35 having absolutely no regard for Main Street traffic is dissapointing. When there is a clearly marked "Yield" sign right before the exit merges onto Main, but hardly anyone seems to care. ...

Source: Norman Transcript (http://normantranscript.com/headlines/x520557022/Construction-will-close-lanes-in-coming-months)

The first time I drove myself to Norman to attend OU, almost 30 years ago, I almost had a wreck coming off of SB I35 and merging onto EB Main. I was used to driving in Tulsa, and had never encountered an interchange exit like that, where you didn't have a dedicated merge lane. Yes, I should have noticed and been aware of the situation, but as a newly arriving college freshman...

That is a poorly designed intersection, and fixing it is long overdue; I see cars having this issue (zooming on to EB Main from SB 35, assuming there's a merge lane) several times a year.

I tend to consider central norman: bounded on east and west by 24th streets, on north by robinson and south by lindsey or imhoff.

Are there any images available detailing what's to be built at Main St. and Lindsey St.? I remember there were a series of images available awhile back, but I'm having trouble finding them with the search.

Found what I was looking for -- http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/meetings/a2011/110622/presentation.pdf

It appears that Lindsey St. is going to be another SPUI, but I had forgotten they're going to put in loops at Highway 9. Why don't they use flyover bridges? That Hwy 9/Lindsey St. exchange will still be funky after the improvements if this is still the plan.

Why don't they use flyover bridges?

Cost. Also at one point they were considering removing one of the two exits because they are so close but Norman was very opposed that idea.

I'm not too upset with the Hwy 9 interchange. The one thing I would change though is the intersection at 24th SW. I would make that a typical highway interchange taking Hwy 9 over 24th and put in ramps. Getting rid of that light would be amazing when it comes to eliminating any congestion.

Improvements Planned For Interstate 35 In Norman - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/20481642/improvements-planned-for-interstate-35-in-norman)

Road Widening Project In Norman Begins - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/20523039/widening-project-in-norman-begins)

I'm not too upset with the Hwy 9 interchange. The one thing I would change though is the intersection at 24th SW. I would make that a typical highway interchange taking Hwy 9 over 24th and put in ramps. Getting rid of that light would be amazing when it comes to eliminating any congestion.

I completely agree with this. 24th St. traffic would only be cycling with traffic that is exiting HWY 9 to use 24th to go Northbound for the most part. Hwy 9 thru traffic would be unaffected by any traffic signals. Actually, I had thought an overpass was part of the final plan, but I guess that's not the case. If I recall correctly, there were 4 different plans on the table and this one is Plan D. I guess one or more of the other options had this overpass in it, and I got it in my mind to somehow to be in the final compromise.

While I'm happy that construction on the interchange is under way, let me offer a few words of caution to anyone heading north on I-35 from west Lindsey. Holy crap. It's a death trap.

Daylight, dark, doesn't matter. You come down off that high feeder right onto the merge lane and *bam*, there's a wall.

To borrow a phrase from Monty Python, the first time I went through that 'chute' last Tuesday at 5:55AM and saw that wall, I nearly soiled my armor.

I completely agree with this. 24th St. traffic would only be cycling with traffic that is exiting HWY 9 to use 24th to go Northbound for the most part. Hwy 9 thru traffic would be unaffected by any traffic signals. Actually, I had thought an overpass was part of the final plan, but I guess that's not the case. If I recall correctly, there were 4 different plans on the table and this one is Plan D. I guess one or more of the other options had this overpass in it, and I got it in my mind to somehow to be in the final compromise.
Real forward thinking leaders would have insisted on an overpass for this intersection.
It would reduce congestion but also be a key in upgrading State Highway 9 to a limited access and safer highway.

While I'm happy that construction on the interchange is under way, let me offer a few words of caution to anyone heading north on I-35 from west Lindsey. Holy crap. It's a death trap.

Daylight, dark, doesn't matter. You come down off that high feeder right onto the merge lane and *bam*, there's a wall.

To borrow a phrase from Monty Python, the first time I went through that 'chute' last Tuesday at 5:55AM and saw that wall, I nearly soiled my armor.

I ran into that on my way into work this morning (I take Hwy 9 to 35 which is the same on ramp) and I was like "crap that is a fast merge." Luckily I normally get myself up to speed to merge in well with traffic ahead of time...well when there isn't some butt wipe doing 45 mph all the way on forcing you to run into a semi.


Real forward thinking leaders would have insisted on an overpass for this intersection.
It would reduce congestion but also be a key in upgrading State Highway 9 to a limited access and safer highway.

Was there ever really a major push for it though?

Where exactly would the overpass you're thinking of have gone?

If I were to put it in, I would just elevate Hwy 9 continuously over I-35 until it is past 24th SW. There is plenty of land there to do such a project. There might be a need to relocate the business there are the SW corner of the existing intersection, but otherwise plenty of land. The intersection type would be close to what you see on 240. In fact I would do similar ramps all the way through 24th SE and then revert to the existing setup.

well when there isn't some butt wipe doing 45 mph all the way on forcing you to run into a semi.


^this.

This may be a little out of place but the temporary "merge" from Lindsey to I-35 is very poor, especially in the dark. Semis don't slow down and can't seem to stay in the left lane, I wish this would be fixed before someone's life is between speeding truck and a concrete barrier.

This may be a little out of place but the temporary "merge" from Lindsey to I-35 is very poor, especially in the dark. Semis don't slow down and can't seem to stay in the left lane, I wish this would be fixed before someone's life is between speeding truck and a concrete barrier.

It won't be fixed until someone dies. Of course I-240 to SB I-35 has been a death trap for years but ODOT just bathes in the blood while ignoring it.

It won't be fixed until someone dies. Of course I-240 to SB I-35 has been a death trap for years but ODOT just bathes in the blood while ignoring it.

This is the scariest part of my day every day. It's a matter of time before someone bites it on this ramp. The bottom line is if you are at merging speeds and no one will yield the inside lane, you are going to die, either by being broadsided by traffic at 60 mph *or* by a head-on collision with the barrier wall.

And you have about 5 seconds to pick your poison.

Presumably someone has to sign off on these things, right?

What they should do is shut then entire ramp down and make people take a detour. Is isn't going to kill anyone for a year or less when this thing gets done and you have 30+ years of a good, efficient, reliable interchange.

This is the scariest part of my day every day. It's a matter of time before someone bites it on this ramp. The bottom line is if you are at merging speeds and no one will yield the inside lane, you are going to die, either by being broadsided by traffic at 60 mph *or* by a head-on collision with the barrier wall.

And you have about 5 seconds to pick your poison.

Presumably someone has to sign off on these things, right?

Sow hat your saying is that if you are breaking the law you might cause a wreck. Shocking

Sow hat your saying is that if you are breaking the law you might cause a wreck. Shocking

That's not what I said at all. Try the ramp at a couple different times of day.

That's not what I said at all. Try the ramp at a couple different times of day.

You said if you "merge" with out a spot to merge you will wreck. Well that is every onramp

Someone got bored and decided to be petty...

Piss poor planning on the merge lane.

I feel like every Norman on-ramp to NB I-35 is a piece of crap right now, except for maybe the one at Tecumseh, and the one at Flood. I hate the new Robinson one; people constantly get confused and then try to go the wrong way and they block up traffic, and you have to swerve around that curve while you're trying to get up to speed. I have a slow-ish vehicle so it's tons of fun trying to navigate that thing. The one at Main is completely shut down in all directions (sure does make driving on Main nicer though). The one at Lindsey is a death trap. I guess I'll just keep taking Sooner Rd. up to I-240 if I need to go to OKC. That way I can also (mostly) dodge the other death trap at I-240/I-35.

I can't believe that Main Street is shut down for the next two years. What a horrible solution.

Interesting report about the traffic delay's in the OU Daily last week... students driving from OKC have seen their one-way travel time increase to 50 minutes. Makes me think that businesses on East Main are looking to take a big hit for a long time.

OUDaily.com | Bridge construction causes traffic delays at Main Street I-35's Main Street exit (http://oudaily.com/news/2013/jan/23/i35construction/)


Here's ODOT's official release:

http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsmedia/traffax/statewide_and_holidays/Jan%203%20-%20I-35%20Main%20St.%20closure%20details%20-%20Norman.pdf

Well Main Street is still open. It is just the crossing/cloverleaf ramps that are gone now. The outside ramps are still open. So yeah, SB 35 to EB Main isn't happening. However if people properly plan it isn't hard to get around. If they are going to campus, they really should just use US-77/Flood instead of taking 35 further in. You'll avoid much of the congestion that will exist on Robinson and Lindsey. There is also the option of going on to Hwy 9 and taking that across.

To add to venture's suggestions, another option is taking 240 to Sooner RD and coming down to Boyd or Lindsey before popping east to campus. One could also come south on Sunnylane, which becomes Porter then Classen, but it's so narrow between Norman and 240 I rarely ever drive that segment.

North Porter's still pretty torn up with construction (what the hell are they doing there, anyway?), but if you were coming from east OKC/Moore to OU, that route would definitely be the straightest shot.

Really, there are a lot of routes to take to get to campus/downtown besides I-35 to Main. Don't people's GPS contraptions tell them these things? :P

This may be a little out of place but the temporary "merge" from Lindsey to I-35 is very poor, especially in the dark. Semis don't slow down and can't seem to stay in the left lane, I wish this would be fixed before someone's life is between speeding truck and a concrete barrier.

There was a pretty nasty 3-car sandwich on the Lindsey to I-35N ramp Saturday afternoon.

Apparently a major accident occurred at Lindsey & I 35 tonight. Not sure, but I would assume it had to do with the short merging lane. There had to have been a better way.

Drove by the accident tonight on my way back from the Warren. I was the driver, so I couldn't get a good look, but it looked pretty awful. The road was closed and they were diverting people off the highway. Not a good sight. I instantly got upset (more than usual at accidents) just because it has been so obvious that this was a deathtrap waiting to happen.

I-35 on-ramp closed after wreck » New and Developing » The Norman Transcript (http://normantranscript.com/new/x730434562/I-35-on-ramp-closed-after-wreck)

some info on the wreck

Okay...well there is the blood. Where is ODOT now?

Anybody with a brain the size of a damn squirrel knew this was an absolutely ridiculous and dangerous forced merge. ODot has once again shown how poor their planning and concern for public safety is.

Multiple accidents force construction changes | KFOR.com ? Oklahoma City News & Weather from KFOR Television, Oklahoma's News Channel 4 (http://kfor.com/2013/01/28/multiple-accidents-force-construction-changes/)

Anybody with a brain the size of a damn squirrel knew this was an absolutely ridiculous and dangerous forced merge. ODot has once again shown how poor their planning and concern for public safety is.

Multiple accidents force construction changes | KFOR.com ? Oklahoma City News & Weather from KFOR Television, Oklahoma's News Channel 4 (http://kfor.com/2013/01/28/multiple-accidents-force-construction-changes/)

Anyone whose played SimCity could have done it better so far. :-P

They had to make the "temporary" 63rd st onramp to I-235 longer also. They should learn by now that you can't have a ramp intersect the interstate at a 45 degree angle and not have problems. lol

There is plenty of room between hwy 9 and the ramp to put in a temp ramp. Rerout Lindsey traffic back to 9 if you have to. It really would not take much to bust out the curb between the Lindsey bridge and the highway and throw down some asphalt considering the overall magnitude of this project.

Everything about the construction in Norman is idiotic. And these are the folks who are building the new downtown boulevard.

Everything about the construction in Norman is idiotic.
The sound blocking wall they put up looks hideous! That was a detail that somebody should have brought to the attention of elected officials before installation.

I would really like to see a Cherokee Gothic architecture theme used whenever possible in the Norman area.

The sound blocking wall they put up looks hideous! That was a detail that somebody should have brought to the attention of elected officials before installation.

I would really like to see a Cherokee Gothic architecture theme used whenever possible in the Norman area.

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

Well, apparently it's okay, because ODOT knows that there is a problem. So no worries. ;)

Supposedly the ramp situation will be improved by Friday which is good, but I have to ask why ODOT planers would not see this hazard well in advance.

When considering everything it almost seems like the people at ODOT don’t like Norman?