If even Lindsey re-opens they will continue to get clobbered without a way on and off the freeway.

And there was this little bit in the NewsOK article:

"A separate but contiguous project is the widening of Lindsey Street from I-35 to Berry Road and drainage improvements to solve recurring flooding problems. Work on that project, scheduled to be completed by November, also is in jeopardy, Norman's Public Works Director Shawn O'Leary said."

"also in jeopardy" doesn't give me a great deal of confidence...

I thought the Lindsey widening and streetscape project was paid entirely from the city of Norman? Is this not the case?

4 days left to address this and other budget items. The elected officials and their supporters embrace the philosophy of Alfred E Neuman when called out on their inability to make the hard choices that come with the job. "What, me worry?"

OkDOT will be holding a meeting to present the preferred alternative for a new interchange on I-40 at Frisco Rd. in Yukon.

https://www.ok.gov/odot/Programs_and_Projects/Public_Meetings_and_Hearings/20170613.html

I thought the Lindsey widening and streetscape project was paid entirely from the city of Norman? Is this not the case?

Yes, the widening of Lindsey is supposed to be done with bonds.

http://www.lindseystreetnorman.com/

Budget impasse causes slowdown in road construction contracts

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record May 18, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – When Duit Construction Co. won the state Department of Transportation’s contract to repair the interchange at Interstate 240 and I-35, a metaphoric clock started ticking.

The job was high-profile, Jim Duit said, because the area has a history of vehicle accidents. So the $10.6 million contract came with an incentive/penalty clause of $10,000 per day of hitting deadline – if the crews finish grading and surface work early, it means more money; if they finish late, the company loses.

So Duit told his workers they should be ready to start next week. He arranged contracts with manufacturers to make sure construction materials were shipped on time. Those companies, in turn, went to their quarry suppliers and blocked out valuable warehouse space.

Earlier this month, all those clock cogs stopped moving. Transportation Department officials released a list of contracts that had already been awarded and told companies like Duit’s they can’t begin work on about $117 million worth of projects across the state.

“We’re trying to figure out how to compensate,” he said. “We have other targets – we hope we can accelerate other orders, like projects for the Air Force at Tinker (Air Force Base), for example.”

“For over 50 years, we’ve never had a layoff, and we’re really hoping to not let this mar that record,” he said.

On May 2, ODOT officials announced that due to low cash flow from previous state budget years and new cuts threatened by the Legislature, letting new highway construction contracts would be deferred, several previously awarded projects would not be allowed to launch and engineers would find a way to safely suspend work already underway.

By late Thursday, the situation had not changed. State Rep. Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa, told members the night before to prepare for a long weekend of work.

Bobby Stem, Association of General Contractors of Oklahoma executive director, said the local industry is worried about how long the budget crisis will last and is frustrated at the position it leaves them in. On a typical day, there are 19,000 to 21,000 construction workers on Oklahoma roads and bridges, he said, and those people interact with a lot of other businesses. The contract interruptions ODOT announced will result in a 30-percent to 40-percent reduction of workers in the field, Stem said.

And that’s just the effect in the private business sector.

“I think a lot of people believe that all the money that gets pumped into ODOT goes out to construction companies, but you have to remember that every county in the state has an ODOT barn that has to be taken care of first,” Stem said. “Those are the people who keep the roads clear, moving animal carcasses and filling potholes and replacing guardrails.

“This needs to be resolved sooner than later,” he said.

Duit said that depending on the phase of work, he could expect to send about 60 people to work on the I-240/I-35 project each day. The majority of his jobs are wage positions, and no work means no pay.

“The effect is multiplied by manufacturers and suppliers and all the other businesses that support those businesses,” he said. “We’re all scrambling to find a way to make this work.”

Construction won't have to be suspended but they did tap money for future projects so we will likely see another year with very minimal construction added to the 8 year plan.

http://m.news9.com/Story.aspx?story=35591869&catId=53065

My guess is that we see SH-74 lane expansion get delayed.

I don't know how I didn't know this until now but, this weekend I was traveling south on Broadway in Edmond and was needing to go east on the Kilpatrick. There is no exit for Kilpatrick eastbound if you're going south on Broadway. You have to go to 122nd and exit, then go under the bridge and enter back onto B'way extension to get to the eastbound exit for the turnpike. How ridiculous is that?

I'm guessing that was an ODOT decision. Do they ever think ahead or plan?

I don't know how I didn't know this until now but, this weekend I was traveling south on Broadway in Edmond and was needing to go east on the Kilpatrick. There is no exit for Kilpatrick eastbound if you're going south on Broadway. You have to go to 122nd and exit, then go under the bridge and enter back onto B'way extension to get to the eastbound exit for the turnpike. How ridiculous is that?

I'm guessing that was an ODOT decision. Do they ever think ahead or plan?

No. I'm guessing a lot of their planning goes as such:
Vern: "You think we should add that ramp now, Bob?"
Bob: "Nah, Vern, we can do that later. Nobody will need one going that direction."
Bob and Vern chuckle heartily.

I'm guessing that was an ODOT decision. Do they ever think ahead or plan?

Never. The way they handle projects is abursdly stupid. I understand money is tight, but they make things worse than they ought to be with their stupid designs.

I don't know how I didn't know this until now but, this weekend I was traveling south on Broadway in Edmond and was needing to go east on the Kilpatrick. There is no exit for Kilpatrick eastbound if you're going south on Broadway. You have to go to 122nd and exit, then go under the bridge and enter back onto B'way extension to get to the eastbound exit for the turnpike. How ridiculous is that?

I'm guessing that was an ODOT decision. Do they ever think ahead or plan?

That would be the turnpike authority in this case. They don't want to set aside funds to build a SB to EB ramp. The same goes for proper ramps going north and south onto the lake hefner parkway.

I wonder if it was a combination of cost for another flyover ramp and property/right-of-way issues.

That would be the turnpike authority in this case. They don't want to set aside funds to build a SB to EB ramp. The same goes for proper ramps going north and south onto the lake hefner parkway.

They're doing the LHP ramps this year and next year. I would imagine the broadway extension ramp can't be justified based upon traffic demand for the cost for building a flyover. Certainly more daily commuters that would use the LHP ramps than a SB to EB ramp at broadway and kilpatrick.

They're doing the LHP ramps this year and next year.

Are you talking about an EB ramp AND a WB ramp onto the turnpike from SB 74...and....a NB ramp onto 74 from WB turnpike...and....a WB ramp onto the turnpike from NB 74...and...a NB ramp and a SB ramp onto 74 from EB turnpike?

Things that should have been done when they built that intersection...those are actually going to get built?

Yes they are going to build direct connect ramps.. FY18-19

https://www.pikepass.com/pdf/Project%20Status%20Update.pdf

Are you talking about an EB ramp AND a WB ramp onto the turnpike from SB 74...and....a NB ramp onto 74 from WB turnpike...and....a WB ramp onto the turnpike from NB 74...and...a NB ramp and a SB ramp onto 74 from EB turnpike?

Things that should have been done when they built that intersection...those are actually going to get built?


I hear ya, but I'm sure the traffic demand at the point of construction couldn't justify the extra cost of building all the flyovers.

If i were a betting man i would say these next two projects will add at least two flyovers. The first one will almost certainly be NB LHP to WB Turnpike (although a question of toll collection comes into play). The second one isn't as obvious...could be SB LHP to EB Turnpike (easy toll interaction), EB Turnpike to SB LHP, or even WB Turnpike to NB LHP (although this one could have some serious roadway design challenges).

(although this one could have some serious roadway design challenges).

Challenges that could have been avoided had it been planned out at the time instead of tacked on years later.

If this interchange (or any interchange) would be designed for all ramp locations, booth locations, easement clearances, ect., and then it was decided not to build them at that time; it would be much easier to build them at a later date then to build all new ramps from scratch....no such challenges. Why is that such a hard thing to do? (the planning for future part)

Here is the design for I-40/Frisco Rd. interchange in Yukon.

https://www.ok.gov/odot/Programs_and_Projects/Public_Meetings_and_Hearings/20170613.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4PW66_g6XA

Looks like Lindsey Street bridge is opening.

https://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/newsroom/newsroom_article.php?id=277&article_id=34197

http://kfor.com/2017/10/02/odot-removes-more-than-204-million-in-road-projects-from-8-year-plan-due-to-budget-cuts/

Wonder if we start losing contributing Fed Funds?

Anyone know what is happening to the 23rd St. bridge over I-44?

Anyone know what is happening to the 23rd St. bridge over I-44?

No idea, but if they've closed and replaced every other bridge on that stretch of 44, then I wouldn't be surprised if the 23rd Street bridge is heading that way soon.

Industry: ODOT’s cuts to projects are offensive, will hurt economy

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record October 2, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials cut back on dozens of road and bridge projects in their eight-year plan in response to the Legislature’s handling of the state budget Monday.

The Transportation Commission voted to approve a rebalanced plan for projects for fiscal years 2018-2025, for removing items for the first time since 2003. Overall, 40 construction projects worth about $204 million were cut from the calendar and 40 percent of all programmed projects were delayed at least one year, including 65 that were scheduled for bidding this year. Of the remaining projects, several have been significantly reduced in scope in order to stretch available funding, spokeswoman Brenda Perry said.

ODOT officials expressed frustration for being forced to make the adjustments in response to $840 million in cumulative state funding reductions over the last seven years. The private sector was blunter.

“Here’s why it’s frustrating: Roads and bridges are the most commonly used core function of government in the state,” said Bobby Stem, president of the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors, which represents the industry behind most roadwork. “This is the only agency with an eight-year finance plan, with numbers rather than words. They’re not political. These projects are directed by accident and fatality reports.

“So you have the most accountable and transparent agency … constantly being used to shore up the rest of state government,” he said. “When you couple all of those aspects together, you find the Legislature’s actions to be highly offensive.”

Stem said his group represents up to 30,000 people with jobs in the road construction and repair industry, including insurance and financial bonds professionals, sod producers and engineers. The Legislature’s budget is not only hurting infrastructure, he said, but cutting in the economy as well.

The commission is the final step in a project-selection process that involves ODOT field division engineers and other staff members identifying critical needs in balance with state and federal funding. The plan is updated each year to reflect completions, delays, changes in costs and revenue projections. Funding comes from state income tax collections and state motor fuel tax appropriations, as well as the federal Highway Trust Fund.

Examples of scheduled projects that have been removed from the updated plan include realignment of the U.S. Highway 70 near Madill and $32 million for the replacement of U.S. Highway 60 bridges in Ottawa County. The reconstruction of U.S. Highway 75 along the eastern leg of the Inner Dispersal Loop in downtown Tulsa will be delayed two years; Interstate 40 interchange construction and widening at Douglas Boulevard in Midwest City will be delayed five years.

OkDOT will review the service roads in Edmond from 2nd. St. to Memorial and possibly propose changes which includes conversion to one way or improvements to existing configuration.


Press Releases
Thursday, October 19, 2017

I-35 frontage roads in Edmond under review; public input sought Oct. 26

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will present a public meeting about the future design of the I-35 frontage roads from Memorial Rd. to Second St. in Edmond.

In 2015, ODOT commissioned an I-35 corridor study from the John Kilpatrick Turnpike north to Waterloo Rd. The purpose of the study is to determine the safety and traffic needs of I-35, its interchanges and frontage roads. As part of this overall corridor evaluation, ODOT is seeking public input specific to the two-way I-35 frontage roads between Memorial Rd. and Second St. in Edmond.

Three concepts will be presented for input, including:

Improving the existing two-way frontage roads;
Converting them to one-way frontage roads south of Second St. to Memorial Rd.; or
Maintaining the existing frontage road configuration with no changes.
In the proposed options, the consultant took into consideration construction and right-of-way costs and environmental constraints.

At the meeting, the public can view the proposed frontage road concepts, speak with engineers and planners and give input on the proposed improvements.

I-35 Frontage Roads in Edmond Public Meeting

Thursday, Oct. 26

6 p.m.

Edmond Community Center Auditorium

28 E. Main St.

- https://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/newsroom/newsroom_article.php?id=277&article_id=37089

Given that Edmond is a pretty backwards community as is most of Oklahoma, I suspect people will be reluctant to support one way conversions. I support one way conversions and I think it'd be better if they went with a tight diamond interchange and added Texas turnarounds at every intersection. Additionally, I think they should add new bridges over I-35 in 3 locations to prevent the situation that has unfolded in Moore with the commercial development along I-35 before it happens in Edmond. The first and most obvious is a new connection between Integris and the Fox Lake Plaza.

Why do so many on here find it necessary to insult instead of just offering some positive improvement ideas. Guess it’s just backwards posters.

Actually Edmond shows up on many lists of most livable towns and cities. I’m sure that galls many here.

In the prior two posts, I see one person offering ideas, and one person insulting.

Just something to think about on a cool Sunday morning.

Texas Turnarounds would be the minimum improvement needed if they wanted to make it one way only.

While some blindly blather out insults about OKC or its 'burbs, let me point out that here in beautiful, progressive, pot-smokin, light-rail-served, millenial magnet Denver, there are no access roads at all. I do agree that when in OK, I am quite a driving hazard because I assume the access roads are all one-way. I far prefer them with the Texas turnarounds.

While some blindly blather out insults about OKC or its 'burbs, let me point out that here in beautiful, progressive, pot-smokin, light-rail-served, millenial magnet Denver, there are no access roads at all. I do agree that when in OK, I am quite a driving hazard because I assume the access roads are all one-way. I far prefer them with the Texas turnarounds.I’ve come to notice that service roads are rare outside of Texas and Oklahoma. Most states don’t have them. They help when you know a state consistently builds them, but when you know not to expect them it doesn’t add much of a burden, at least for me.

I am against the idea of making the access roads along I-35 one way. My reason. I am a retired Edmond firefighter. I worked at st 4. The idea of not being able to drive directly to a location would be a night mare. I remember driving out of that station when the first tornado to come through there a number of years back (before the one that hit Mercy) It was just south I was going north to get my engine out of danger. I would NOT have wanted to have to drive against traffic. Driving against traffic is dangerous. The city did make On Cue provide a drive up to 15th just in case it does go one way. Still I don't like the idea. I am now retired but just my 2 cents.

Yes, yes AND yes!


I am against the idea of making the access roads along I-35 one way. My reason. I am a retired Edmond firefighter. I worked at st 4. The idea of not being able to drive directly to a location would be a night mare. I remember driving out of that station when the first tornado to come through there a number of years back (before the one that hit Mercy) It was just south I was going north to get my engine out of danger. I would NOT have wanted to have to drive against traffic. Driving against traffic is dangerous. The city did make On Cue provide a drive up to 15th just in case it does go one way. Still I don't like the idea. I am now retired but just my 2 cents.

OkDOT has posted the presentation although it is a bit weird with a ton of redundant images. They seem to be leaning towards the one way service roads which I'm glad to hear. Seems there were people there sharing similar concerns I posted about 1/2 miles bridges. Glad to see that was brought up.

Couple of pleasant surprises I noticed that they plan on capacity improvements which might include widening not sure. They also could extend the service further north. Another thing I'd like to see is the service roads go under 2nd. St. with connections.

http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/meetings/a2017/171026/Presentation.pdf

I was at that meeting also. They said that they only had the contract to look at the area between Memorial rd and 2nd st. (the engineering company) ODOT said that money is a big issue on a lot of this stuff. I asked about additional on and off ramps north of 2nd st. The addition of more service rds etc. Basically they haven't got to those questions yet. I think if they wait too long on some of them, and they do want to add off ramps/service rd to say Coffee creek to Waterloo, they will have to buy out some very expensive homes/subdivisions. I don't think the money will be there for that.

http://journalrecord.com/2018/01/03/road-rage-cities-stuck-as-transportation-projects-stall/?ep=1

http://newsok.com/future-overload-development-may-require-traffic-changes-at-sixth-street/article/5590279

It may have already been discussed but...is it just me is or is the ODOT website a little difficult to find info on projects? For example, I was wanting to see any information about reworking Indian Hills road. From the home page at the site search bar i searched indian hills road (no quotes) and it had three results which didn't appear to have anything to do with Indian Hills Road. A search for "indian hills" (with quotes) has zero results. I then went to the link for the 8 year plan and seen from the little image which showed me I needed to pick the link for division 3. It opens a PDF and the first page doesn't even show I-35 on the map as a reference point. I went to page 2 as found I-35 but this page stopped at HWY 9 at the northern side. I then did a search for indian hills on the PDF and it took me back to page 1...after starting at the screen for a couple of minutes I seen what little box was highlighted. After zooming in to the box it appears the bridge will be done in FY2023. I'm sure the poor website design is justified to the budget cuts and such but it seems a bit complicated to find information about ongoing and upcoming projects. An intuitive interactive map would be really handy.

I agree they rely on PDFs to much to get their info out and unfortunately I don't think they are going to change it anytime soon.

On the Indian Hills subject I hate to see that it is 2023 but I had figured they would wait til Moore completed the 34th Street bridge to do anything with Indian Hills. It's terrible between 5:00 and 6:00. Can take up to 15 minutes to get to the other side sometimes after exiting I-35 Northbound.

Note also that the 8-year plan is basically a list of "would be nice to haves," and in most cases the projects haven't even been funded, let alone designed or put out for bit. There's a lot of stuff that gets bumped from them or deferred. Usually when projects get closer to actually being reality they end up in easier-to-find places.

I think I have said this before, but OkDOT’s website is horrible. They design is meh, but the functionality and the ease to find projects could be much better, but that isn’t what gets me.

I have noticed here in California, in Texas, Oregan, Nevada, Florida, and Washington(I’m sure most states do but those are examples I know for sure do) that whenever a project is project is happening, they give you almost an overload of information. You get multiple renderings, flyover videos, maps and schematics that have been drawn to simplify the plans for the public(not for contractors), clear graphic timelines, and in a lot of cases they get their own websites that are updated almost daily.

OKDOT almost never posts anything remotely like that. When the OTA released the somewhat detailed maps of the turnpike alignments I was surprised. Then OkDOT posted a flyover video of the future rendered US-69 through Calera and it got me thinking that maybe they are VERY slowly moving towards this. It is also important to note that perhaps because this was a Tiger grant project, maybe they’re required to do it.

Whatever the case is, it would be nice if OkDOT gave each project their own page as soon as they’re announced with plans, meeting hearing materials/updates, renderings, flyover videos, and in the cases of larger projects like I-235/44 interchange, their own website. If you want an example of a good DOT webpage, look at this one: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov

I think I have said this before, but OkDOT’s website is horrible. They design is meh, but the functionality and the ease to find projects could be much better, but that isn’t what gets me.

I have noticed here in California, in Texas, Oregan, Nevada, Florida, and Washington(I’m sure most states do but those are examples I know for sure do) that whenever a project is project is happening, they give you almost an overload of information. You get multiple renderings, flyover videos, maps and schematics that have been drawn to simplify the plans for the public(not for contractors), clear graphic timelines, and in a lot of cases they get their own websites that are updated almost daily.

OKDOT almost never posts anything remotely like that. When the OTA released the somewhat detailed maps of the turnpike alignments I was surprised. Then OkDOT posted a flyover video of the future rendered US-69 through Calera and it got me thinking that maybe they are VERY slowly moving towards this. It is also important to note that perhaps because this was a Tiger grant project, maybe they’re required to do it.

Whatever the case is, it would be nice if OkDOT gave each project their own page as soon as they’re announced with plans, meeting hearing materials/updates, renderings, flyover videos, and in the cases of larger projects like I-235/44 interchange, their own website. If you want an example of a good DOT webpage, look at this one: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov
Given the limited resources of the state budget, I don't think their website ranks high on their priority list.

Given the limited resources of the state budget, I don't think their website ranks high on their priority list.

That’s probably true, but how much could it costs to better inform the public and provide better renderings for projects? I don’t have the slightest clue when it comes to costs like that, but tons of others states have problems with properly funding their DOT’s and they still manage to find some funds to provide more information and have better websites.

I know they have to go through studies but it seems like the idea of changing the access roads in Edmond to 1-way is kind ofva no-brainer.

Apparently OkDOT won’t be asking for any sort of budget increase this legislative season. I don’t know entirely how I feel about that. OkDOT needs more than double its current budget to really make any large scale impact in Oklahoma.

http://journalrecord.com/2019/01/02/odot-not-seeking-funding-increase-from-lawmakers/

Apparently OkDOT won’t be asking for any sort of budget increase this legislative season. I don’t know entirely how I feel about that. OkDOT needs more than double its current budget to really make any large scale impact in Oklahoma.

http://journalrecord.com/2019/01/02/odot-not-seeking-funding-increase-from-lawmakers/

I believe Patterson's emphasis is on keeping the Legislature from diverting any more transportation funding into general revenue for appropriation to other agencies.

I-40 and SH-6 will become the site of the first DDI in the state. Construction starts later this year and should wrap up in September 2020.


https://vimeo.com/317295004

https://www.ok.gov/odot/What's_New/I-40_and_SH-6_Diverging_Diamond_Interchange.html

There’s one of these down the street from me in Colorado Springs. Fillmore and I-25. I’m not convinced they are any better than a normal interchange, but they are kinda weird to drive through anyhow.

So people can navigate this hot mess, but a circle is just too confusing?

Wasn’t one of those planned for Waterloo road and I-35?

^^^ it still is. OkDOT delayed that project but I think they might expedite it.

I hope we use some really good paint on the road marking so drivers can follow.

I hope we use some really good paint on the road marking so drivers can follow.

The impression I got from the video is the lanes don't change, the road itself does. As it is a divided road, lane marking shouldn't matter. Supposedly it will be harder somehow to enter in the wrong direction, but as there have been three stories in the last week of people right here in the OKC metro driving the wrong way on an interstate, I'm dubious.

tl;dr: Naw, we'll still use the cheapest paint Walmart has to mark the lanes. And then water it down before using it.

It’s pretty hard to get on the wrong side of the road in these. Just coincidentally went through the one at I-25 and Filmore, the lanes are protected and force you left of center. In this on there are two bridge spans, so it would take some really screwed up driving to end up in the opposite side. On that note, maybe it’s very possible :)

The impression I got from the video is the lanes don't change, the road itself does. As it is a divided road, lane marking shouldn't matter. Supposedly it will be harder somehow to enter in the wrong direction, but as there have been three stories in the last week of people right here in the OKC metro driving the wrong way on an interstate, I'm dubious.

tl;dr: Naw, we'll still use the cheapest paint Walmart has to mark the lanes. And then water it down before using it.
Dark, no lights, bad paint, throw in some rain, I hear ya. ��

Driving at night with any kind of wetness on the road is a nightmare on any street here.

Driving at night with any kind of wetness on the road is a nightmare on any street here.

The absolute worst instance of this, IMO, is heading west on NW 23rd underneath I-235.

So does the I-35 & I-240 construction start or complete in FY2021?
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