Interesting but Roundabouts are more effective IMHO.

While it may be true, how many roundabouts are there used for highway exits?

While it may be true, how many roundabouts are there used for highway exits?

Common in Europe. I have seen the double diamond with roundabouts, I have seen 4-5 lane roundabouts. I used to edit maps for Waze a couple years ago and have seen a lot of configurations out there.

Common in Europe. I have seen the double diamond with roundabouts, I have seen 4-5 lane roundabouts. I used to edit maps for Waze a couple years ago and have seen a lot of configurations out there.

Depends on the traffic volume. England has taken many of theirs out on larger arterials (A40 in west London comes to mind). There comes a point where a roundabout just can't handle the volume effectively.

I believe that is true. Roundabouts are better up to a certain traffic flow, after that, the DDI improves heavy traffic. I seem to remember the cutover number is around 30-40,000 cars per day -but I may be off.

California and Indiana are also now using round-a-bout freeway exits.

As for the people who give up the right of way to others - they really need to stop that. As I driver I am expecting you to go when it is your turn. When you go rouge you screw up traffic flow for everyone. You might think you are helping me out but you aren't (and by 'you', I mean anyone that isn't me).

Giving up your right-of-way at stops risky and unintentionally DIScourteous, putting other drivers into unnecessary danger and counterintuitively slowing the process for EVERYBODY. It is anarchy disguised as politeness.

This is Exit 12 on I-87 in Malta NY. I've been through here numerous times and it works very well.

https://www.dot.ny.gov/regional-offices/region1/project-repository/rt67/exit%2012%20roundabouts.jpg

That is especially true on highways. Pisses me off when people slow down for me when I am trying to merge on the highway. I am trying to get behind you and you are causing an accident.

While it may be true, how many roundabouts are there used for highway exits?

Just west of DIA (can't remember which road) there are 2 roundabouts on each side of the interstate. I went through there twice and it was a breeze.

I don't think there is any hope for people here to understand what the yield signs mean.

This

So much this. It happens all around the metro, but one of the worst places I've noticed it is in Norman when exiting for Highway 9 east. The people entering from Lindsay to go southbound don't even bother slowing down at the yield sign. They just come on ahead and if you can't stop in time, then that's your problem.

This

So much this. It happens all around the metro, but one of the worst places I've noticed it is in Norman when exiting for Highway 9 east. The people entering from Lindsay to go southbound don't even bother slowing down at the yield sign. They just come on ahead and if you can't stop in time, then that's your problem.

Mmmhmm. I am the first one to just lay on the horn at the idiot not slowing down.

Also, people who assume that car length space between me and the car in front of me is for them. They see that space as an open invitation to just slide right in. I wonder if these people ever took driver's ed and realize that I leave that space there so that if the person in front of me has to stop suddenly, I have enough space to stop and not run into the back of them.

"I-35 narrowed between Pauls Valley and Wynnewood through Fall 2015

North and southbound I-35 is narrowed to one lane in each direction one mile north of SH-29 (Wynnewood/Elmore City exit) between Pauls Valley and Wynnewood in Garvin County through Fall 2015 for a bridge rehabilitation project at Red Branch Creek. Drivers can expect delays and should plan extra travel time, especially during weekends and holidays.

In September, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission awarded a nearly $1.7 million contract for this project to Bridgeco Contractors, Inc. of Wellston."

Oklahoma Department of Transportation (http://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/newsroom/newsroom_article.php?id=277&article_id=15604)

This has been a real pain. It's actually much much faster to get off of the highway and find a country road for a couple of miles and then get back on.

"I-35 narrowed between Pauls Valley and Wynnewood through Fall 2015

North and southbound I-35 is narrowed to one lane in each direction one mile north of SH-29 (Wynnewood/Elmore City exit) between Pauls Valley and Wynnewood in Garvin County through Fall 2015 for a bridge rehabilitation project at Red Branch Creek. Drivers can expect delays and should plan extra travel time, especially during weekends and holidays.

In September, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission awarded a nearly $1.7 million contract for this project to Bridgeco Contractors, Inc. of Wellston."

Oklahoma Department of Transportation (http://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/newsroom/newsroom_article.php?id=277&article_id=15604)

This has been a real pain. It's actually much much faster to get off of the highway and find a country road for a couple of miles and then get back on.

I can only picture the "fun" of OU-TX traffic if this isn't un-narrowed by then.

Walking or biking can save more money than you think | News OK (http://newsok.com/walking-or-biking-can-save-more-money-than-you-think/article/5405661?nextArticle=1)

Shhhh - let's not let this get out. ODOT will not be pleased that even newsok is publishing such drivel. Walk a mile through downtown on a walkable street rather than get run over on the boulevard? Whaaaa?

Walking or biking can save more money than you think | News OK (http://newsok.com/walking-or-biking-can-save-more-money-than-you-think/article/5405661?nextArticle=1)

Shhhh - let's not let this get out. ODOT will not be pleased that even newsok is publishing such drivel. Walk a mile through downtown on a walkable street rather than get run over on the boulevard? Whaaaa?

Heresy in the Energy / Concrete Capitol......

Press Release: Older Drivers At Peak Levels, New Data Show, 3/23/2015 | Federal Highway Administration (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1519.cfm)

Press Release: New Data Show January Driving Topped 237 Billion Miles, 3/24/2015 | Federal Highway Administration (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1520.cfm)

Turner Turnpike traffic could be delayed because of construction | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2015/03/27/turner-turnpike-traffic-could-be-delayed-because-of-construction/)

ODOT Blames Deteriorating Roads On Underfunding, Freeze Cycle - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/28733623/odot-blames-freeze-cycle-underfunding-on-deteriorating-roads)

Oklahoma Department of Transportation (http://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/newsroom/newsroom_article.php?id=277&article_id=15684)

I have emailed them about specific potholes on Interstates that have been there for many months. I have done this twice in the past year or so and both times the issue was fixed within a week of notifying them.

Not sure if this is the norm, but go ahead and shoot them an email and try to describe the location as best you can. Worth a shot, you are probably helping many people in the community by alerting them to the problem. The bystander effect is probably a real issue when it comes to deteriorating roads.

I have emailed them about specific potholes on Interstates that have been there for many months. I have done this twice in the past year or so and both times the issue was fixed within a week of notifying them.

Not sure if this is the norm, but go ahead and shoot them an email and try to describe the location as best you can. Worth a shot, you are probably helping many people in the community by alerting them to the problem. The bystander effect is probably a real issue when it comes to deteriorating roads.

Notification puts them on notice for claims - if they have notice, they cannot then deny a claim if the pothole wasn't fixed in a timely manner. That's the OKC position at least; I assume it's the same State statute tort situation at ODOT.

Airport Highway Cable Barriers


SH-152 (Airport Rd.) narrows west of I-44 daily
Westbound SH-152 (Airport Rd.) will be narrowed to one lane between I-44 and Macarthur Ave. from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through April as part of an ongoing cable barrier installation project. Drivers can expect delays and should plan extra travel time.

- Oklahoma Department of Transportation (http://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/newsroom/newsroom_article.php?id=277&article_id=15692)

The 44 and the 35 interchange is schedule to be replaced.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/LgzMjWL.jpg[\img]

I'll post better pictures of the plans when I see them.

http://i.imgur.com/LgzMjWL.jpg

fify

http://i.imgur.com/LgzMjWL.jpg

fify

I am guessing they are going to that configuration partly out of being able to build around the current configuration, however it looks like it is at best not any better at a higher cost of construction and maintenance verses the current one, it might even be a bit worse if the flyover from 44 westbound to 35 northbound is not two lanes. Plus not pictured is the most likely place to jam was the short merging lane from 44 westbound to 35 southbound.

Why isn't I-44/I-40 interchange scheduled to be replaced sooner? Jams up pretty good during rush hour. Getting it too three lanes all the way through would help a lot.

^I agree! I also wish the ramps for the main lanes of I-35 (at I-235 and I-40) and I-44 (at Lake Hefner Parkway and SH 66) were at least two lanes all the way through (the westbound ramp pf I-44 is two lanes but merges to one lane at the end of the ramp, and the eastbound ramp looks like it once was two lanes all the way through, was it at one time?).

^I agree! I also wish the ramps for the main lanes of I-35 (at I-235 and I-40) and I-44 (at Lake Hefner Parkway and SH 66) were at least two lanes all the way through (the westbound ramp pf I-44 is two lanes but merges to one lane at the end of the ramp, and the eastbound ramp looks like it once was two lanes all the way through, was it at one time?).

It looks kind of like there could have been two lanes from the concrete, but it also use to have another on ramp from 36th going eastbound but was more trouble then it was worth. So at best it would have been three lanes trying to merge down to two (though it could have also been merging three to one), if it ever was two lanes it had been changed before I was driving.

I'm waiting for the photos to be posted here: Oklahoma Department of Transportation - 20151006 (http://www.ok.gov/odot/Programs_and_Projects/Public_Meetings_and_Hearings/20151006.html)

I asked them about it on Twitter.

You can now view everything here: Oklahoma Department of Transportation - 20151006 (http://www.ok.gov/odot/Programs_and_Projects/Public_Meetings_and_Hearings/20151006.html)

Alternative 1


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGpDH2rGSgE&feature=youtu.be

Alt. 2


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZHizthcCRQ&feature=youtu.be

Here is the plan for Alt. 2. (The link for Alt. 1 isn't working)

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5723/21915450608_90987d56e0_c.jpg

I prefer Alt. 2

I guess what seems odd about this is compared to a lot of the other junctions it is in decent condition now. I am a bit surprised they would put it before widening 35 between 23rd and this junction or a segment around the metro that seems like it it could have used major surface rehabilitation at least ten years ago but not currently on the list to have anything done.

State Highway 33 reconstruction celebrated - The Edmond Sun: News (http://www.edmondsun.com/news/state-highway-reconstruction-celebrated/article_e3fc75ea-7c0b-11e5-b746-53b40576e842.html)

As bad as ODOT is, I don't think even they could be this stupid.

Arkansas Wants to Widen Highway, Eliminate Streetcar for ?Safety? | Streetsblog USA (http://usa.streetsblog.org/2015/10/26/arkansas-wants-to-widen-highway-eliminate-streetcar-for-safety/#.Vi76Uu8VmtU.twitter)

I hope they don't tear the highway down but there is no reason to eliminate the streetcar. Hopefully they can come up with a solution that benefits everyone.

I hope they don't tear the highway down but there is no reason to eliminate the streetcar. Hopefully they can come up with a solution that benefits everyone.

Having lived in Little Rock, I can say that widening that highway to 10 lanes is overkill. Traffic does slow up during rush hour but its never that bad. The city has a very impressive downtown for a metro area its size and if they remove the streetcar and build this highway it will really damage their downtown. Little Rock isn't that big geographically. They would be better off to re-sign I-440 as I-30 which loops around the city. Then, they should convert the current elevated I-30 into a boulevard.

The current setup is very, very similar to the old Crosstown I-40 in OKC.

ODOT officials anxiously await the start of viaduct construction | Guthrie News Page (http://guthrienewspage.com/2015/10/odot-officials-anxiously-await-the-start-of-viaduct-construction/)


Future highway improvements in Logan County

2016 – Three I-35 resurfacing projects stretching from the US-77 junction north to Mulhall are scheduled to be awarded in November and completed in 2016. $16.5 million

2016 – SH-33 reconstruction and widening over Cottonwood Creek from 12th Street to just east of Division Street in Guthrie. $15.2 million

2017 – US-77 bridge replacement and resurfacing over the Cimarron River. $5.9 million

2017 – SH-105 resurfacing from 7.5 miles east of SH-33 stretching to the county line. $1 million

2021 – SH-33 adding shoulders from Kingfisher County line stretching east for 3.5 miles. $6.4 million

2021 – SH-33 bridge replacement and resurfacing over Gar Creek. $2.5 million

2023 – I-35 and SH-33 interchange reconstruction including ramps and bridges. $10 million

2023 – I-35 pavement replacement from one mile north of SH-33 to the Cimarron River. $16.2 million

2023 – Complete the final phase of SH-33 reconstruction and widening to four-lane divided highway from Guthrie to Perkins. $4.8 million

I guess what seems odd about this is compared to a lot of the other junctions it is in decent condition now. I am a bit surprised they would put it before widening 35 between 23rd and this junction or a segment around the metro that seems like it it could have used major surface rehabilitation at least ten years ago but not currently on the list to have anything done.

Yes. I just don't see the reasoning to do this unless there are multiple accidents and constant rush hour traffic back ups here... which I don't think exist now.

I guess what seems odd about this is compared to a lot of the other junctions it is in decent condition now. I am a bit surprised they would put it before widening 35 between 23rd and this junction or a segment around the metro that seems like it it could have used major surface rehabilitation at least ten years ago but not currently on the list to have anything done.

The bridges across the defunct Frisco tracks and NW 63rd are highly substandard (the 63rd St bridges are fracture critical). Since you have to completely replace them, you might as well do it right and fix the remainder of the interchange.

Governor announces new OK county turnpike, other improvements | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5456798?utm_source=NewsOK.com&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=NIC-Twitter)

I may have missed a turnpike thread so if there is one mods please move to appropriate place

This is very bad.

This is awesome!

A total waste of money for something that is unnecessary. That money could have been spent on much more important transportation issues.

Agree. Not necessary. In my opinion there should only be one expansion. Granted this is not ODOT and a different fund, but somehow tying in the hefner parkway/Portland up to the north then east to I35 (ducks)

Does anyone have maps of the proposed construction?

A total waste of money for something that is unnecessary. That money could have been spent on much more important transportation issues.These are tollroads. Although I agree with you this city desperately needs mass transit, I'd be just as happy as I am for these new highways as I would be for a light-rail system.

I can understand money for highways that are already being used. But this is constructing new ones that are totally unnecessary.

Yeah since they are their own entity they really can't go into ODOT fund. Now if they wanted to switch gears and go towards funding mass transit, I think we all agree that would be a good thing. But an east loop to make it faster to get to Tulsa. Come on. An hour to an hour and half is not a terrible drive at all.

So they propose completing the entire loop except for around Norman?

A total waste of money for something that is unnecessary. That money could have been spent on much more important transportation issues.

As an east side rural resident I totally disagree. Sure, you 're probably "fiscally" correct but have you considered how it would greatly benefit me?

Awesome ^2

I can understand money for highways that are already being used. But this is constructing new ones that are totally unnecessary.
Well, I do think continuing the southwest portion from I-40 to I-35 extending the Kilpatrick is needed. I also understand an eastside connection is needed as well from what I've heard.

However I can understand where you are coming from on the other ones. I do think the need to at least secure ROW for future planning.

I am okay with this but I do wish they would fund more mass transit along with this. What is really concerning with all of these transit improvements, not one cent is going towards mass transit.

Hopefully that is something Maps 4 addresses.

Here is the website: Driving Forward OK (http://www.drivingforwardok.com/)

These are the projects


Southwest OKC Extension
7 miles
$190 million
New construction
This project will be an extension of the Kilpatrick Turnpike that will connect SW OKC and the metro area at-large with the urban core. It will increase access and offer another route for Will Rogers World Airport. It will occur between I-40 and State Highway 152/Airport Road.


Northeast OK County Loop
21 miles
$300 million
New construction
This project will allow for a connection from Eastern Oklahoma County to vital intersections for travel. This will produce a drive-time reduction to access Tulsa from the OKC Metro and a needed new loop to alleviate current congested traffic in the Oklahoma City area. Construction will link I-40 and I-44 (Turner Turnpike) in Eastern Oklahoma County.

Tulsa will get a 2.5 mile expansion of the Gilcrease Expressway.


Gilcrease Expressway
2.5 miles
$28 million from OTA and partnership with City of Tulsa
New road construction
This project connects L.L. Tisdale to I-44 and completes the Western loop around the Tulsa metro area. It will help relieve urban traffic congestion during peak periods. It will also provide a new and more direct route to city attractions and points of interest in the Tulsa urban core. This will bolster safe access to Tulsa along with economic growth and opportunity.

I think the eastern leg is going to benefit MWC, Del City, Choctaw, Jones and that entire area as well as reducing time and congestion driving from Norman to Tulsa.

The Muskogee Turnpike will be reconstructed


Muskogee Turnpike
9.5 miles
$42 million
Reconstruction of Turnpike from “ground-up” for safety and modernization of toll plaza
This reconstruction will occur between Creek Turnpike interchange and State Highway 51 near Coweta. It will allow for a safer and more drivable surface and provide increased safety features.

It appears the Turner Turnpike will be widened.



Turner Turnpike
22 miles
$300 million
Reconstruction for more lanes and safety features including lights and other future safety enhancements
The Turner Turnpike is a vital turnpike corridor that connects Oklahoma’s two metro areas. Improving safety and convenience on this road is a priority for the OTA. This reconstruction/safety project will occur between Bristow and the Creek Turnpike West (State Highway 364) section of the Turner Turnpike. In the last five years there have been 15 fatalities and 514 wrecks on this section of road. This project will create an “urban turnpike corridor” with lighting, wider lanes and the addition of lanes. It will allow for the future creation of truck-specific lanes for quick and safe access.