http://mccarvillereport.com/archives/55013 interesting discussion in the Transportation Commission meeting between T.W. Shannon and Tim Gatz on the I-35 and HW9 interchange.

Here’s a link to the proposed interchange back in 2018: https://oklahoma.gov/odot/progress-and-performance/federal-grant-awards/build-grants/mcclain-county-i-35-and-sh-9w-interchange.html

Oklahoma just can’t seem to properly plan and build adequate transportation infrastructure for the most part.

Lol Stitt is apparently not happy with the proposed flyover even though it will be tribal funded.

https://nondoc.com/2021/05/02/stitt-questions-flyover-ramp-riverwind-casino-parking-lot/

Yeah because why support more efficient flow of traffic. The horror.

Maybe he's grasping for any sort of leverage he can get regarding the tribes, idk

Lol Stitt is apparently not happy with the proposed flyover even though it will be tribal funded.

https://nondoc.com/2021/05/02/stitt-questions-flyover-ramp-riverwind-casino-parking-lot/

Yeah because why support more efficient flow of traffic. The horror.

Only a portion is tribal funded

Once again, Stitt is showing his ass in tribal dealings.

Only a portion is tribal funded
Right but a portion will also serve daily traffic. In all honesty I don’t like this proposed interchange because it should be a fully directional stack to serve as a new freeway connecting to I-44. I’d also like to see a new freeway south of Moore connecting I-35 to I-44 perhaps along the River or slightly north. Either way this interchange proposal is still an improvement and will reduce the congestion here.

Having looked at the plans for this interchange (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/documents/sapm/branch/planning/federalgrantawards/mcclain-county-i-35-sh-9-interchange/maps-and-graphics/i-35-sh-9-improvements-schematic.pdf) myself, I actually kind of agree with Stitt on this one (guess it had to happen eventually).

The real problem is the lights in close proximity to the interchange. If you built a slip ramp that bypassed the light at the end of the ramp, as well as used frontage roads to reroute the traffic at 12th/Harvey to Bankers Drive (and caused all Riverwind and Love's traffic to use those frontage roads), it would improve traffic flow on SH-9 a lot more than a direct ramp to Riverwind would. McCaleb notes that the interchange is having trouble during morning and evening rush, but Riverwind's peak hours are closer to 9pm. So a direct ramp is something I'm sure Riverwind would like a lot, but I don't think it would solve the fundamental issue. A lot of the traffic going down that ramp at rush hour is continuing past Riverwind toward Newcastle and Blanchard.

We don't have a direct freeway ramp to any other private business in the metro, and I don't see why that should change, even if they are willing to chip in a portion of the money it would take to build it. The ability to buy your own freeway interchange, rather than good engineering judgement determining the right place to put one, is kind of a scary prospect.

Having looked at the plans for this interchange (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/documents/sapm/branch/planning/federalgrantawards/mcclain-county-i-35-sh-9-interchange/maps-and-graphics/i-35-sh-9-improvements-schematic.pdf) myself, I actually kind of agree with Stitt on this one (guess it had to happen eventually).

The real problem is the lights in close proximity to the interchange. If you built a slip ramp that bypassed the light at the end of the ramp, as well as used frontage roads to reroute the traffic at 12th/Harvey to Bankers Drive (and caused all Riverwind and Love's traffic to use those frontage roads), it would improve traffic flow on SH-9 a lot more than a direct ramp to Riverwind would. McCaleb notes that the interchange is having trouble during morning and evening rush, but Riverwind's peak hours are closer to 9pm. So a direct ramp is something I'm sure Riverwind would like a lot, but I don't think it would solve the fundamental issue.

We don't have a direct freeway ramp to any other private business in the metro, and I don't see why that should change, even if they are willing to chip in a portion of the money it would take to build it. The ability to buy your own freeway interchange, rather than good engineering judgement determining the right place to put one, is kind of a scary prospect.

Same. Other than the hotel that is next to the Riverwind, this doesn't really benefit or improve access for anyone except for direct customers of the casino. I guess it benefits the non-gambling public in the fact that large events won't back traffic up onto the highway. But those events are few and far between.

Looks like the tribe is paying around 60% of the cost. That seems absurdly low for something that only benefits their customers. I think that number should be a bit higher, especially with how little ODOT is funded to begin with.

In reference to the SH 74/ Hefner Parkway comments on the quality of construction, I've seen other posts in a different thread note that Hefner Parkway gets a lot less semi truck traffic than the interstate highways. Hence, it has not had to be rebuilt in it's 30 year life span.

“ Under questioning Monday by Shannon, Gatz said the entire interchange, not just a portion of the project, needed to be re-evaluated.”

If this results in a better interchange then I’m all for it.

https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/commissioner-questions-gov-kevin-stitts-transportation-secretary-over-delayed-road-project/article_4e38e5e8-ac3e-11eb-ac07-9b2ccbd0133b.html

https://www.okcfox.com/news/local/roads-report-details-odots-successes-areas-of-improvement

“ OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Over the past few years, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has made significant improvements to the State’s highways and bridges. However, according to a new report released by The National Transportation Non-profit group "TRIP", some of ODOT’s progress may be underfunded for the road ahead. ”

Another report from TW about the state transportation system and potential increases for funding ahead:

https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/report-oklahomas-roads-bridges-improving-but-significant-challenges-ahead/article_56ee74b4-cead-11eb-bd64-9f0adf06b304.html

100 mil Federal grant to ODOT for 2 projects

50 mil for I40 and Douglas interchange includes widening 6 miles of I40.

And 50 mil for I35 project by the border.

https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/oklahoma-awarded-100-million-in-competitive-highway-grants

This is great. I-35 needs to be six lanes from OKC to the Oklahoma border.

This is great. I-35 needs to be six lanes from OKC to the Oklahoma border.

I'd settle for six lanes south from Norman to Purcell.

I'd settle for six lanes south from Norman to Purcell.
Yeah that section is needed the most. After that they should focus on the arbuckles to the state rebuilding I-35 through Ardmore and modernizing the roadway as well as expansion. Then simply complete Purcell to the Arbuckles last.

This is great. I-35 needs to be six lanes from OKC to the Oklahoma border.

Completing the four laning of Highway 33 from Langston to just west of Perkins where it becomes 5 lanes might encourage more people to use that route, rather than continuing to go north on I-35 on way to Stillwater, though don't think people who live on west side of Stillwater would find the 33 route shorter.

Completing the four laning of Highway 33 from Langston to just west of Perkins where it becomes 5 lanes might encourage more people to use that route, rather than continuing to go north on I-35 on way to Stillwater, though don't think people who live on west side of Stillwater would find the 33 route shorter.
Stillwater needs a loop built around it that has the adequate ROW to be upgraded to a full freeway in the future. The Cimarron TP Spur should be extended through Stillwater and connected to SH-33 by Coyle-Langston with that road upgraded to a full freeway to I-35.

The majority of Oklahomans give low marks to Oklahoma’s roads and highways:

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/oklahomans-give-low-marks-to-state-roads-as-lawmakers-debate-infrastructure/article_68c97896-dc22-11eb-8fd7-c32939bab5a5.html

Compared to Colorado, l'd rate OK as a low B. CO's as a C. Colorado has more people but far less highway miles/capita. They need more lanes, limited access miles and a lot of new routes in and out of the urban areas. Ok seems to mainly need consistent paving.

Colorado has a few really nice highways but overall the roads, pavement quality, and adequate capacity are horrible. I-70 needs to be six lanes from Denver to GJ. Colorado can’t seem to build any large scale widenings without toll lanes. Aspen has the worst case of NIMBYism and refuses to let trucks go through even if Colorado upgraded the rest of CO-82(namely the one lane sections) which they wouldn’t do.

I love Colorado but they desperately need to up their game on their roads. It’s crazy to me how they can’t even manage to build a freeway connection from the Boulder Turnpike(which is a beautiful road) to the NW Parkway. Not to mention all the other roads in that area that need upgrades. Colorado certainly has more impressive roads but overall I’d rank Oklahoma freeways above Colorado's given where CO should be.

Stillwater needs a loop built around it that has the adequate ROW to be upgraded to a full freeway in the future. The Cimarron TP Spur should be extended through Stillwater and connected to SH-33 by Coyle-Langston with that road upgraded to a full freeway to I-35.

Just extending the Cimarron Spur to Highway 51 would be a good deal and be less costly. Extending it on to Highway 33 would make for a slightly faster trip to OKC. Possibly OSU would need to give up some land.

Colorado has a few really nice highways but overall the roads, pavement quality, and adequate capacity are horrible. I-70 needs to be six lanes from Denver to GJ. Colorado can’t seem to build any large scale widenings without toll lanes. Aspen has the worst case of NIMBYism and refuses to let trucks go through even if Colorado upgraded the rest of CO-82(namely the one lane sections) which they wouldn’t do.

I love Colorado but they desperately need to up their game on their roads. It’s crazy to me how they can’t even manage to build a freeway connection from the Boulder Turnpike(which is a beautiful road) to the NW Parkway. Not to mention all the other roads in that area that need upgrades. Colorado certainly has more impressive roads but overall I’d rank Oklahoma freeways above Colorado's given where CO should be.

Pluplan,

Have you even seen I-70 through Glenwood Canyon?? It is so narrow, it is any wonder they were able to build 4 lanes through in the first place. Creating an additional two lanes would require a lot of blasting and a lot more tunneling which would require a ton more cost.

Throw in all the environmentalist hooplah, that would be a fallout/backlash of what you want to see happen, it's because of that, I doubt any of it will ever happen.

Pluplan,

Have you even seen I-70 through Glenwood Canyon?? It is so narrow, it is any wonder they were able to build 4 lanes through in the first place. Creating an additional two lanes would require a lot of blasting and a lot more tunneling which would require a ton more cost.

Throw in all the environmentalist hooplah, that would be a fallout/backlash of what you want to see happen, it's because of that, I doubt any of it will ever happen.
Yeah I go through there multiple times a month. You’re not wrong. A very expensive tunnel bypass would be about the only option. CO has plans to upgrade a few spots of I-70 around Vail to six lanes but other than that it’ll be awhile. Really the stretch in most need of six lanes is Central Vail to Denver.

Some more rural roads projects announced by Lankford from earmarks(which I’m excited to see come back). From the photo provided in the article regarding SH-4 in Yukon, I wish ODOT would add rumble strips in the center and sides of the road.

“ The rural highway projects being considered for funding are:
Atoka Co: SH-3 from Lane to Farris, $16 million
Caddo Co: US-277 from Cement to I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike, $10 million
Jackson Co: US-283 just north of the Red River near Elmer, $6 million
Osage Co: SH-20 east of Hominy, $8 million
Texas Co: SH-136 south of US-412 in Guymon, $8 million
Wa****a Co: SH-152 near Dill City, $4.6 million
Woods Co: US-64 east of SH-14 near Alva (Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation only), $4 million
Woods Co: US-281 east of Waynoka, $8 million”

- https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2021/july/oklahoma-leaders-announce-major-federal-funding-request-for-rura.html

I've recently been on 3 of those segments and noticed they were all in bad shape.

Colorado mostly needs commuter rail from Pueblo to Cheyenne (a no-brainer) and then a good bus system from Denver to the ski resorts along I-70 (probably much more complicated, but I doubt a train option would be particularly feasible considering it's a minor miracle I-70 even got built through the mountains in the first place).

So I don't totally derail this thread, Oklahoma's most pressing need IMO is a connector roughly from SH-74/Waterloo to Division/I-35. Just looking at the explosion of growth in that part of the Metro, I doubt it ever gets done but someday we'll regret not doing it.

It has been a while since I checked out the 8 year construction plan, but it sure looks like they have made some updates due to budget, like most projects of size have been pushed back at least a couple years

It has been a while since I checked out the 8 year construction plan, but it sure looks like they have made some updates due to budget, like most projects of size have been pushed back at least a couple years
We knew the last 8yr plan was not going to be pretty. This years should be better, I hope. The state has given ODOT more funds, they’ve also received grants for multiple projects that will be pushed up including several major ones, and a massive infrastructure package is on the horizon and could be finalized by October. I suspect we’ll see multiple projects added and pushed up this year with next years being even better.

PS, do you know when the next phase of the crossroads junction is scheduled to let? I tried looking on their website as the 8yr plan says 2021 but I couldn’t find it.

... PS, do you know when the next phase of the crossroads junction is scheduled to let? ...

I don't

A poster by the name of triplemultiplex posted this design of a reimagined I-240/I-44 interchange with the airport getting a direct freeway connection which I would love. Cold stone in bell chance this ever happens but it would be amazing if it did.

https://i1.wp.com/triplemultiplex.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/44-240-final.jpg

Link to thread: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3618.msg2275966#msg2275966

Not sure what purpose that would really serve. Meridian is already very efficient to get to Airport Rd

It’s a surface road with traffic lights. Meridian would take longer than this road being a direct connection like most major airports have. Eventually more development will also come to this stretch of road making it slower.

It has grade separation over 54th. There’s a traffic light at Amelia Earhart, and one for the rental car center. Hardly an inconvenience. So far the airport has shown zero interest in developing Meridian Ave to Airport Rd. This would be a several hundred million dollar waste of money. There are more pressing needs.

Eh, I see where you’re coming from. I agree that there are better uses other than building a freeway directly to the terminal. I just think one day it could be needed if OKC really takes off. But the other components to it like redesigning the interchanges nearby on I-44 really need it. This proposal eats into the current Lariat Landing a bit but to my knowledge nothing is built there. On the other side could be development or a park where current I-44 ROW sits. But something needs to be done before this area starts really experiencing chronic congestion.

I know ODOT has some plans for more lanes here and there. I don’t remember the full extent of it but that loop ramp needs to go at I-240 and left exits should be removed from the I-44 mainline.

^^That's really cool. Even without the spur to the terminal (which I like), the redesigned I-240/I-44/SW 74th junction would be a huge improvement.

I would like to see a freeway connecting I-44 and I-35, between Moore and Norman. Something roughly along the lines of this:
https://i.imgur.com/5Bj9OlX.jpg

^^^^ yes that freeway is much needed. I’d even settle for an expressway type setup. There are quite a few sections in OKC that could benefit from a brand new freeway. If only we had TxDOT to build our system lol.

Looks cool and all but I'd rather spend the money on a train to the airport from Santa Fe Station.

Keep in mind that at some point in the future the Kickapoo Turnpike will be extended on down to connect to 35 somewhere around Norman to Purcell

^^That's really cool. Even without the spur to the terminal (which I like), the redesigned I-240/I-44/SW 74th junction would be a huge improvement.

I would like to see a freeway connecting I-44 and I-35, between Moore and Norman. Something roughly along the lines of this:
https://i.imgur.com/5Bj9OlX.jpg

That looks somewhat similar to part of an earlier Kilpatrick turnpike expansion concepts from around a couple decades ago. Roughly the western third was recently built, there was a section similar to where you put the road, and a part completing the loop/diagonal west & south of the airport (though I think the junction with 44 was at least a mile further north).

^^
Yes, there were several options proposed from ODOT on the "outer loop" that went through this area. Alternate "Z", I believe, was to come out right close to that Baptist College area and they, along with many of the neighborhoods along there, became huge opponents to any outer loop studies and ODOT dropped the idea. I think that was about 15 -20 years ago. I can't remember what they were called but there were like three options that ODOT and the FHWA had come up with.

$4.3 billion over 5 years for roads highways and bridges. 30% increase.
That’ll put a dent into the poor roads.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/local/oklahoma-city/2021/08/05/infrastructure-bill-would-increase-highway-bridge-funding-oklahoma/5488268001/

That is great! Now is the time for Oklahoma to go even more all in and give ODOT more funding on top of this so they can increase their funding by 50 percent.

I-40/Frisco Rd interchange opened to traffic this morning:

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2021/august/new-i-40-interchange-opens-friday--gives-yukon-new-access.html

That is great! Now is the time for Oklahoma to go even more all in and give ODOT more funding on top of this so they can increase their funding by 50 percent.
Here's to hoping that the legislature doesn't shut the door on that $3.5 Trillion dollar infrastructure deal. If Florida is anything to go by in terms of federal funds, Oklahoma state legislature could block the money from coming in out of political spite.

Murphy's Law, don't mess this up please.

Next commission meeting meets on September 7th.

Items to be addressed at the meeting:
Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz will update the commission on Oklahoma Transportation’s progress on structurally deficient bridges during the past year, with Oklahoma seeking to remain a Top Ten State for highway bridge conditions.

Gatz will also highlight upcoming Rail Safety Week in September, along with other safety topics including the dangers of impaired driving and bridge damage caused by over-height truck loads.

The commission is expected to consider authorizing the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to pursue a state bond sale to secure federal funding for major improvements to rural two-lane highways with deficient shoulders. This would make Oklahoma one of the first states in the nation to take advantage of a rural area Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Commissioners will be asked to vote on whether to award a nearly $19 million contract to reconstruct a segment of SH-33 in Cushing, along with contracts for preventative maintenance work on several bridges in Tulsa and Broken Arrow and the first phase of US-54 reconstruction near the Kansas state line in Texas County.

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2021/september/september-transportation-commission-meeting-scheduled-for-tuesda.html

New letting schedule for large projects in OKC (per ODOT 8-year construction plan)

03/2022 - I-35 bridges over NE 63rd Street

09/2022 - I-40 Douglas Road interchange and I-40 between Douglas Road and I-240 (east end)
01/2023 - Final phase of I-235 and I-44
02/2023 - I-35 and Waterloo Road interchange
03/2023 - I-35 and I-240 interchange (phases II, III, and IV).

They really need to work on the I-35 & I-240 interchange now, that whole interchange is horrible.

They also need to widen I-240 to 6 lanes from I-35 to I-40.

They really need to work on the I-35 & I-240 interchange now, that whole interchange is horrible.

They also need to widen I-240 to 6 lanes from I-35 to I-40.

I assume you mean I-44, with regards to I-240? If so, yes.

I assume you mean I-44, with regards to I-240? If so, yes.

No, I meant just what I said, lol.

https://twitter.com/OKDOT/status/1460669102427672582?s=20

MOORE/NORMAN: @OKDOT, @cityofmoore & @cityofnormanok are hosting a virtual open house to provide info on the ongoing study of the I-35 corridor & proposed operational improvements from north of S.W. 4th St. to south of Robinson St.

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2021/november/virtual-open-house-now-online-for-i-35-corridor-study-in-moore-a.html

Pretty big project but big mistake not adding additional mainline lanes. This freeway should be at minimum 5 lanes each way. Even better would be 5 free lanes each way plus 2 tolled lanes. Might seem like overkill but that would ensure this freeway flows for at least 40-50 more years with no traffic backups. If ODOT only adds one additional lane each way it will just be backed up in a few years and of course the anti car crowd will blame induced demand ignoring latent demand.

Adding interchanges at Rock Creek RD., and SW 34th ST., as well as building new service roads and converting existing to one way, rebuilding Robinson and SW 4th St. as a DDI, and new auxiliary lanes. I'd imagine this will be a several hundred million dollar project unless ODOT plans on doing these projects individually. Either way this will be a very significant project.

PS, very informative project page, ODOT has created for this project. I used to gripe at them for this but they have really improved. Cool interactive map you can use to view existing conditions and proposed. Hopefully they choose option 1.

PPS, I believe Moore has plans to grade separate the RR tracks with street on SW 4th. Would make sense to tie that project in with this one.

The best expansion I ever saw that made sense was in Tulsa. Highway 169 (back in the 90's was busy, but not crazy busy). Over the course of about a year, they expanded all of the bridges at the intersections from Admiral to 81st. When the time came, they did an expansion from four into six lanes. Now, if they want to expand to eight lanes, they can easily. I wish OKC would do something like that to make it easier when the time comes to expand.

The best expansion I ever saw that made sense was in Tulsa. Highway 169 (back in the 90's was busy, but not crazy busy). Over the course of about a year, they expanded all of the bridges at the intersections from Admiral to 81st. When the time came, they did an expansion from four into six lanes. Now, if they want to expand to eight lanes, they can easily. I wish OKC would do something like that to make it easier when the time comes to expand.
Texas is best model to follow. They will build six lanes arterial roads long before the need arises. Once the area on the fringes starts getting developed the road is already six lanes and sidewalks. What a noble concept. No need to expand the road inconveniencing drivers when everything is built up.

They also build super wide medians for eventual freeway conversions. Northwest Expressway and 39th expressway could eventually become more of a freeway but that is about it. No other corridor planning is happening and there are many places ACOG and ODOT need to start planning for new freeways. North of the Cimarron River in between Moore connecting I-35 to I-44 for starters. There is just absolutely zero planning when it comes to this. Commuter rail should be a bit easier since it will mostly be on existing rail but don't kid yourself, OKC will not be a mass transit oriented city in our lifetimes. I'd be surprised if that type of transit EVER carries more than 20 percent commuters here.

Yes! I live in Moore, so this couldn't come faster for SW 4th & SW 19th highway intersections.

Yes! I live in Moore, so this couldn't come faster for SW 4th & SW 19th highway intersections.
From what I gather this isn't even on the 8yr plan. Hopefully with the new infrastructure funds it can be moved up. I-35 from I-40 to Norman no doubt has to be the most congested corridor in the state. On further review of the project it appears as if ODOT will in fact evaluate the mainline lanes; perhaps they'll add more.

From what I gather this isn't even on the 8yr plan. Hopefully with the new infrastructure funds it can be moved up. I-35 from I-40 to Norman no doubt has to be the most congested corridor in the state. On further review of the project it appears as if ODOT will in fact evaluate the mainline lanes; perhaps they'll add more.

It seems like 44 between 40 & 240 both has a longer window of congestion and slower average speed

It seems like 44 between 40 & 240 both has a longer window of congestion and slower average speed
True that segment is pretty bad.

Woah, the x-ramps will be awesome!