HE Bailey Turnpike


HE Bailey Turnpike
7.5 miles
$32 million
Turnpike reconstruction for lanes and safety features and toll plaza modernization for better access for PikePass customers
This project will provide wider lanes and enhanced safety features for travel as well as improved technology for toll plaza locations for customer convenience between Bridge Creek and North Meridian Avenue near Newcastle.

Why is the southwest extension 7 miles 190 million???

Why is the southwest extension 7 miles 190 million???

My guess would be they have to relocate the end of the Kilpatrick line that currently terminates at SW 15th and will have to be relocated slightly west to miss a new neighborhood and to purchase ROW in the area.

My guess is this will lead to a huge explosion of sprawl in NE Oklahoma County much like what the city is currently experiencing in the Deer Creek school district. The website talks a lot about keeping Oklahoma competitive, but in other states mass transit is becoming a significant part of the equation in addition to the automobile.

I wish commuter rail would be funded between downtown Edmond and downtown OKC and Norman.

I dunno. Just looking at it they might have to buy up half that neighborhood just to the south. Then cut SE then go east of Mustange Canyon, then cut through those neighborhoods East of that new area with the lowes, then go back southwest to tie back in. That would be my guess. So a lot of properties and people to move. I wonder if the will have airport RD continue straight west where it turns south.

Its easier to follow if you look at google maps

I did look at google maps. All I saw was a lot of unnecessary things that need to happen for 7 miles of roadway. It's absolutely stupid.

Fantastic news for Oklahoma County! Look for economic development for the Spencer/Jones/Choctaw/Nicoma Park area to bring lots of tax dollars to these areas. The lack of highway in this part of the county is ultimately why we didn't build out that way as currently you have to stop at a bajillion four-way stops to get anywhere. Then expanding the JKT south and over to 152 will surely alleviate hellacious traffic there between the turnpike and I44 as traffic would have the ability to go south and then over on 152 to get to I44 and bypass the I40 area. This is great stuff.

State Leaders Unveil $900M Plan To Overhaul Turnpike System - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/30385405/state-leaders-unveil-900m-plan-to-overhaul-turnpike-system)

http://www.koco.com/news/gov-mary-fallin-ota-announce-launch-of-driving-forward-turnpike-plan/36119360

For the SW extension, why can't they just turn Sara Rd. south of 15th St into the turnpike and connect it to the HE Bailey? I guess that would make too much sense.

I don't understand why the East route is so FAR east. If the image is any indicator, it looks like it's way out at Harrah-Newalla Rd. I guess is land cheaper out there for the build? It seems like making an interchange at 40/240 would make more sense....although it would be more complicated (and expensive) to build.

^What image are you referring to?

New Tulsa road projects included in bond-financed turnpike initiative - Tulsa World: State (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/state/new-tulsa-road-projects-included-in-bond-financed-turnpike-initiative/article_6cd8b552-175a-5cc2-976d-acbf0521db26.html#user-comment-area)

The $300 million to widen the turnpike between here and Tulsa would have been an excellent start to a improving the rail corridor. If we could get the track straightened out to permit long stretches of 70-80 mph trains, it would be a serious mode of transportation.

I'm at a loss for words because I am just so dumbfounded by this. I understand but disagree with the SW loop. I don't think there is a shred of justification for the east loop. This is insane.

I am so glad that our hard core fiscally conservative "leadership" has hundreds of millions to blow on highways to nowhere, while we've had a stalled AICC for a decade, let the Capitol crumble up until the point of no return, are losing historic buildings left and right, and have huge unfunded transit needs.

ODOT needs to figure out how to pitch in for transit before they build highways to nowhere. This is incredible.

Is there a visual they have for us to look at? if not, can someone make one? having a hard time picturing all this

I'm fine with all of these except for connecting I-40 to I-44. There's a lot of folks who moved to Jones (and the surrounding area) to get away from suburbia's sprawl. And I imagine that the new loop will bring a lot of unwelcome development to their doorsteps.

Plus, why not use those funds to widen lanes, install lighting, and make further improvements to our existing infrastructure?

Something like this for SW OKC?
http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/transportation/11706d1446151139-odot-kilpatrick-extension.jpg

Saw these images on FB that talk about the SW Loop.

11707

11708

The $300 million to widen the turnpike between here and Tulsa would have been an excellent start to a improving the rail corridor. If we could get the track straightened out to permit long stretches of 70-80 mph trains, it would be a serious mode of transportation.Man I understand it would be a start, but this country really shouldn't invest in outdated forms a transportation when there is things like MagLev or better yet invest in the hyperloop. Do something innovative. It seems we just settle for what we limit ourselves to.

Is there a visual they have for us to look at? if not, can someone make one? having a hard time picturing all this
They said design and planning work will start immediately with construction starting in the 3rd quarter of this next year which this next year is 2 months away so I imagine we'll have some detailed plans pretty soon.

Why is the southwest extension 7 miles 190 million???

That seems pretty par for their spending on a ODOT freeway, around half for the main roadbed. Leaving enough for around three/four interchanges and the junctures. With the one at 152 designed so it could be eventually extended south.



I wonder if the will have airport RD continue straight west where it turns south.
They will probably keep with the plan to go south of the airport and turn east before hitting the river, eventually meeting up with i35 near flood road.

ODOT needs to figure out how to pitch in for transit before they build highways to nowhere. This is incredible.

I'm not advocating for or against this, I just want to point out that this is not an ODOT project. It will be the OTA and funded by bonds which are to be repaid by turnpike receipts.

Governor unveils turnpike improvement plans | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2015/10/29/governor-unveils-turnpike-improvement-plans/)

Since the turnpike projects are not being done by ODOT, I created a new thread - Driving Forward OK - Oklahoma Turnpike Improvements and New Construction (www.okctalk.com/transportation/41358-driving-forward-ok-oklahoma-turnpike-improvements-new-construction.html)

I'm at a loss for words because I am just so dumbfounded by this. I understand but disagree with the SW loop. I don't think there is a shred of justification for the east loop. This is insane.

I am so glad that our hard core fiscally conservative "leadership" has hundreds of millions to blow on highways to nowhere, while we've had a stalled AICC for a decade, let the Capitol crumble up until the point of no return, are losing historic buildings left and right, and have huge unfunded transit needs.

ODOT needs to figure out how to pitch in for transit before they build highways to nowhere. This is incredible.

Actually ODOT was approached in the late 1990s to study the possibility of getting an eastern outer loop starting south of Norman and extending along the eastern border of OKC but met fierce opposition from the "not in my backyard" crowd. ODOT won't pour money into transit simply because the majority doesn't want it. And obviously there is more than a shred of evidence for an eastern loop since ODOT has attempted a study and that the Turnpike Authority would invest it's own money to build a highway in the corridor. There will always be opposition to new highways by those who dream about mass transit and trains. But Okies like their space and their big vehicles too much to give them up.

Actually ODOT was approached in the late 1990s to study the possibility of getting an eastern outer loop starting south of Norman and extending along the eastern border of OKC but met fierce opposition from the "not in my backyard" crowd. ODOT won't pour money into transit simply because the majority doesn't want it. And obviously there is more than a shred of evidence for an eastern loop since ODOT has attempted a study and that the Turnpike Authority would invest it's own money to build a highway in the corridor. There will always be opposition to new highways by those who dream about mass transit and trains. But Okies like their space and their big vehicles too much to give them up.

This is all circular reasoning. The OTA is a related party to ODOT. Almost every other state has a revenue sharing model that supports public transit. It is the largest source of funding for transit in many states. Most states have a majority who don't see themselves benefiting from public transit. Why is Oklahoma unique? That's half-assed and regressive work from ODOT, and I don't understand why the City of OKC isn't more publicly dismayed over what a disservice they do OKC. It's a joke really.

The turnpike should be generating enough revenue to cover better maintenance than there currently is. And no more if it isn't going to be leveraged to support other state initiatives. I don't get why these fiscal conservatives don't include ODOT as that third governmental agency they'd abolish. I'm sure we could do transportation block grants to MPOs and cities themselves to do what ODOT should be doing.

A competent state DOT would be great, but given the consistent dastardly moves from ODOT, we just shouldn't work with them. This is what they do and will always try to do, whether its Ridley, McCabe, or someone worse and more incompetent.

The turnpike should be generating enough revenue to cover better maintenance than there currently is.
What are the problems with turnpike maintenance? I don't think I've heard anything about problems in that area.

This is all circular reasoning. The OTA is a related party to ODOT. Almost every other state has a revenue sharing model that supports public transit. It is the largest source of funding for transit in many states. Most states have a majority who don't see themselves benefiting from public transit. Why is Oklahoma unique? That's half-assed and regressive work from ODOT, and I don't understand why the City of OKC isn't more publicly dismayed over what a disservice they do OKC. It's a joke really.

The turnpike should be generating enough revenue to cover better maintenance than there currently is. And no more if it isn't going to be leveraged to support other state initiatives. I don't get why these fiscal conservatives don't include ODOT as that third governmental agency they'd abolish. I'm sure we could do transportation block grants to MPOs and cities themselves to do what ODOT should be doing.

A competent state DOT would be great, but given the consistent dastardly moves from ODOT, we just shouldn't work with them. This is what they do and will always try to do, whether its Ridley, McCabe, or someone worse and more incompetent.

LOL! OKC has benefited more from ODOT than you apparently realize. But in terms of transit, the way to do it is to pool your transit folks and get them with their respective legislators to get with ODOT. This is the process; this is how you get change -- not getting on a message board and berating an agency. Seriously, without a majority of voices the status quo continues. And if you have done this and there is still no major action then this is a sign that you just might be in the minority. To call an agency incompetent simply because they don't do what you and your friends want is pretty crazy man. Personally I think their engineers are a little complacent and don't come across as innovative in terms of interchange design, etc., when compared to traveling to other cities and states, but I hardly call them incompetent.

Oklahoma road projects during Thanksgiving travel | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-road-projects-during-thanksgiving-travel/article/5462089)

Federal bill promises boost for road, transit funding in Oklahoma | News OK (http://newsok.com/federal-bill-promises-boost-for-road-transit-funding-in-oklahoma/article/5464086)


WASHINGTON — Oklahoma will get a substantial boost in federal funding for roads, bridges and mass transit under a bill cleared Tuesday for final congressional approval.

Over the next five years, the state is expected to receive nearly $3.4 billion in highway funding and more than $240 million in mass transit funding.

House and Senate negotiators finished work on a five-year, $305 billion highway bill that could be approved by both houses this week. It would mark the first time in a decade that Congress passed a highway bill lasting more than two years.

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, one of the lead negotiators on the legislation, said the $3.6 billion that Oklahoma is set to receive will be “the largest single infrastructure investment in Oklahoma's history.

One thing I am hoping in this is that some projects get pushed forward such as the interchange projects(235/44). I sent ODOT an email asking them include that project on their info page(Oklahoma Department of Transportation - Major Projects (http://ok.gov/odot/What's_New/Major_Projects/index.html)) of major projects. They seem to be doing a much better job at including projects on their website now. They told me they plan on letting the next phase out to bid this spring which will be the bridges. I'd like to see the other phases get pushed up as well.

There are several other projects such as the I-35/Waterloo Rd. Interchange replacement that could get pushed up as well.

Not ODOT exactly, but will impact ODOT. Congress approved the FAST Act which is great. One of the plans that has been on hold to widen I-40 in Midwest City could be pushed up which will be nice. That whole stretch needs to be reworked.

FAST Act Approved By Congress - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/30672400/fast-act-approved-by-congress)

Yah, the I-35/Waterloo interchange needs to be moved up. Some days the traffic coming off of north bound I-35 is backed up to the lanes of I-35. Not safe at all. As more homes are built in north Oklahoma county/Edmond and south Logan county, I can only guess what a nightmare it will be in a few years without any major changes.

Yah, the I-35/Waterloo interchange needs to be moved up. Some days the traffic coming off of north bound I-35 is backed up to the lanes of I-35. Not safe at all. As more homes are built in north Oklahoma county/Edmond and south Logan county, I can only guess what a nightmare it will be in a few years without any major changes.

It'd really help to put in new ramps at a Sorghum Mill or Simmons Road instead of just an overpass. Covell used to be like that too. The way they're developing NE Edmond, you can't just have Covell, Waterloo and Seward as access points.

I agree with you. Sorghum Mill might be do able but Coffee Creek has some expensive homes built in what would be taken to build it. Simmons seems like it would be do able. ODOT needs to aleast purchase the ground for future building. With the water line east of I -35 more of the land will develop into smaller lots. Wait until the high school and the Woodland Park land is developed and then tell me what the traffic situation will be like.

I really want to see Waterloo turned into a freeway. It is the perfect location too. Most of the ROW that would be required would tear down sh!tty metal buildings and it's right on the county line.

Connect it to SH-74.

From ODOT


ODOT grateful for historic FAST Act, sustained federal funding for Oklahoma transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 7, 2015

PR# 15-048

After years of uncertain federal funding for transportation, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is hailing the successful passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act by Congress and signed into law by President Obama. The FAST Act provides five years of federal funding and important policy reforms.

While the measure includes increased federal funding, the critical component for ODOT is five years of sustained funding for transportation
More than $643 million in federal funding for Oklahoma’s state and local roads and bridges in the first year, with incremental increases each subsequent year. This is an increase from about $612 million in annual funding received previously.
Nearly $50 million for public transit programs in the first year, with annual incremental increases in funding
Reforms to the environmental review process to help projects move faster and more efficiently
Provisions allowing existing, legally-placed church and service organization signs that meet certain standards to remain near highways
Highway funding allocated for improvements to freight corridors
States can compete for grant funding for major projects that are too large to complete with traditional funding sources
Transportation officials including Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley and Executive Director Mike Patterson praised U.S. Senator James Inhofe’s vision and continued leadership on a national level to see this bipartisan bill through the process and U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin’s role as a member of the conference committee.

“We are delighted and relieved because the funding and policy reforms included in the FAST Act will help ODOT continue delivering on its commitment to make transportation safer and more efficient for Oklahoma’s people and businesses,” Patterson said.

Since the previous long-term transportation bill expired in 2009, Congress has passed numerous short-term funding reauthorizations, which each provided only a few months of flat funding at a time. Even with some additional state funding for ODOT in recent years, uncertainty in both federal and state funding categories can always impact long-term transportation planning, since projects can take a decade to plan, design and construct.

“This is a historic piece of legislation that will continue the progress made on highways and bridges in Oklahoma,” Ridley said. “We are very grateful to Oklahoma’s congressional delegation and especially Senator Inhofe for his steadfast support for transportation over the years and his hard work in shepherding this bill through Congress.”

The certainty provided by the FAST Act will help ensure that ODOT will have funding necessary for projects already under construction and those scheduled in the Eight-year Construction Work Plan. The current plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2016 through 2023 contains more than 1,800 highway and bridge projects in all 77 counties totaling nearly $6.5 billion. It is funded equally with federal and state funds. The projects in the Eight-year Construction Work Plan are only possible with reliable federal and state funding.

https://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/newsroom/newsroom_article.php?id=277&article_id=17080

Here is a new interactive map by ODOT displaying road closures and conditions.

http://ok.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=0143260acf004177935589ab7e2f42c1

I really want to see Waterloo turned into a freeway. It is the perfect location too. Most of the ROW that would be required would tear down sh!tty metal buildings and it's right on the county line.

Connect it to SH-74.

That would be fantastic! I think the R-O-W only exists for the widening of it to a four or five-lane thoroughfare, but yes a freeway would be great. Even five-laning it (four-lane with a constant middle turn lane) with right-turn only bays at intersections would be awesome. There is tremendous growth up in that area and an expansion would be really beneficial. I would think it would be easy to get done given it's a shared public road between Logan and Oklahoma counties, which means they would need to get together and work it out. Get some federal funding on board then boom, magic.

That would be fantastic! I think the R-O-W only exists for the widening of it to a four or five-lane thoroughfare, but yes a freeway would be great. Even five-laning it (four-lane with a constant middle turn lane) with right-turn only bays at intersections would be awesome. There is tremendous growth up in that area and an expansion would be really beneficial. I would think it would be easy to get done given it's a shared public road between Logan and Oklahoma counties, which means they would need to get together and work it out. Get some federal funding on board then boom, magic.

Yeah, and the time to start planning is now. Secure the new ROW. Even if today they decided they wanted a highway there, it probably wouldn't even start construction for another 3-5 years and that'd be with bonds. ODOT really needs to get it's planning stuff in order. Once the whole north-north west side gets filled in along with North Edmond, this area will truly become a nightmare for traffic as no freeway is nearby. Honestly, they should have built a 4 lane highway here back in the 90's.

Yeah, and the time to start planning is now. Secure the new ROW. Even if today they decided they wanted a highway there, it probably wouldn't even start construction for another 3-5 years and that'd be with bonds. ODOT really needs to get it's planning stuff in order. Once the whole north-north west side gets filled in along with North Edmond, this area will truly become a nightmare for traffic as no freeway is nearby. Honestly, they should have built a 4 lane highway here back in the 90's.

Well with Waterloo not a highway it's not even a blip on ODOT's map. The way they work is the localities approach ODOT with what they want along the local rights-of-way and that's how things get started. I remember about 10 years ago talking with some folks in-the-know about atleast getting Waterloo milled and overlayed which eventually happened, but I understand it was a nightmarish mess having Oklahoma and Logan counties working together on funding it, backing out of commitments, etc. They had approached ODOT with the standard 80/20 match (80%fed/20%local funds) where Okla/Logan were to split the 20% but it kept falling through. And that was just to mill and overlay. Logan county didn't want to pay equal amount to the Oklahoma county amount b/c they were too obsessed with the fact that there were more Oklahoma County residents that would utilize the road than Logan. Anyway, not to ramble, but apparently getting the two counties to work together is the problem and that's what will need to happen for anything to happen on Waterloo, with the exception of Waterloo's connections to highways.

Now that's not to say that the Planning Division at ODOT shouldn't have their 2025 vision (or whatever it is called this year) with an eye on some sort of northern loop....

Well with Waterloo not a highway it's not even a blip on ODOT's map. The way they work is the localities approach ODOT with what they want along the local rights-of-way and that's how things get started. I remember about 10 years ago talking with some folks in-the-know about atleast getting Waterloo milled and overlayed which eventually happened, but I understand it was a nightmarish mess having Oklahoma and Logan counties working together on funding it, backing out of commitments, etc. They had approached ODOT with the standard 80/20 match (80%fed/20%local funds) where Okla/Logan were to split the 20% but it kept falling through. And that was just to mill and overlay. Logan county didn't want to pay equal amount to the Oklahoma county amount b/c they were too obsessed with the fact that there were more Oklahoma County residents that would utilize the road than Logan. Anyway, not to ramble, but apparently getting the two counties to work together is the problem and that's what will need to happen for anything to happen on Waterloo, with the exception of Waterloo's connections to highways.

Now that's not to say that the Planning Division at ODOT shouldn't have their 2025 vision (or whatever it is called this year) with an eye on some sort of northern loop....

I agree which is why I think it would be perfect if ODOT took it over. Hell, I wouldn't even mind seeing OTA take it over and make it a tolled highway with two lanes of service roads one way on each side.

But to me having a highway placed on county lines is always good because it takes the hassle of both counties having to work together which usually adds time for anything to get done and places that on ODOT.

Thought they do seem to be planning something in the distant future because I think they have budgeted several million new ROW as they plan on widening Portland to Covell to four lanes so they do plan on eventually expanding SH-74 into a limited access highway further north which is good news.

I do agree with you unfortunately it seems like ODOT currently has no interest in Waterloo, at least publicly. They even plan on redoing the Waterloo interchange and widening Waterloo a half mile each way to four lanes, so that alone spells to me they don't plan on this becoming a limited access highway anytime soon. :/

I messaged them awhile back about it and they told me told me ACOG had did some studies and determined it wasn't feasible at the current time.

As stated upthread, ODOT doesn't have the resources to "plan" for roads that are not a part of the State highway system. Now, if someone were to get it designated as a State highway, you might see it show up on an 8-Year plan.

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

ODOT is going to have a decision on which alternative they are going with by the end of this spring. I really, really hope they go with alternative 2.

Yes, I do like the flyovers, but it is only something like 10 million more than the other design and will allow for much smoother flowing traffic because one reason I hate that some left lane hoggers have an excuse for is the number of exits and entries on the left sides of the highways. I think that needs to stop completely. The left lane should be for passing only and it's hard for the to happen when you have people entering and exiting the highway there.

This would allow for all exits and entries to be on the right side of the highway(figuratively and literally).

Alternative 1


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

Just for a reminder, here is alt. 1

It's basically an exact rebuild of the current config. with more lanes added on the ramps and and the service roads still reworked.

Yeah, I definitely think Alternative 2 is the better option for not that much more money. I hope ODOT can afford to do Alt 2!

ODOT shouldn't be allowed to build anything else until they fix the major interchanges in OKC and Tulsa that are still only two f*cking lanes and have left side exits.

Good news for I-35 in North Edmond.


EDMOND — The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is asking for the public's input on a proposed highway interchange project.

The project would replace several bridges, widen Interstate 35 from four lanes to six and widen Waterloo Road from two lanes to five. The department said in a news release the changes are designed to help alleviate congestion at the I-35 and Waterloo interchange.

- Oklahoma transportation department seeks input on I-35 interchange | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-transportation-department-seeks-input-on-i-35-interchange/article/5472513)

While it may eventually need more capacity, that area is nowhere near the worst congestion in the metro

I agree with that. It still needs to be widened though and am glad to see the interchanges being replaced. It will be nice to see Danforth, Coffee Creek, and Sorgum Mill have access to I-35. I do wonder if they are going to include service roads with this widened as Edmond is looking as the feasibility of making the service roads one way, and re-configuring the intersections with the on/off ramps. Now would be the time to start it.

ODOT shouldn't be allowed to build anything else until they fix the major interchanges in OKC and Tulsa that are still only two f*cking lanes and have left side exits.

There is a national movement to ban all new construction until all the existing stuff is fixed.

There is a national movement to ban all new construction until all the existing stuff is fixed.

Was reading an article today that said our nation's deferred infrastructure maintenance will cost approximately $3.something TRILLION to fix.

Here is the information regarding the widening of I-35 in North Edmond.


Press Releases
Friday, January 15, 2016

ODOT seeks public input Jan. 28 on future I-35 and Waterloo Rd. interchange

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will present a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 28, to provide information and gather public input on a future project to replace several bridges and widen I-35 from four to six lanes and to widen Waterloo Road from two to five lanes. The project is designed to help alleviate congestion and delays at the interchange.

The meeting will include presentation of detailed information about the proposed project and opportunities for the public to ask questions and give feedback about a new configuration for the interchange and improvements to Waterloo Rd. After the public input period ends Feb. 11, ODOT will conduct environmental studies and prepare design plans before construction can begin. The construction project is scheduled in ODOT’s Eight-Year Construction Work plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2021.

I-35 and Waterloo Rd. Public Meeting

Thursday, Jan. 28

6 p.m.

Waterloo Road Baptist Church

3100 E. Waterloo Rd.

Edmond

- Oklahoma Department of Transportation (http://ok.gov/triton/modules/newsroom/newsroom_article.php?id=277&article_id=17885)

This is pretty cool.

https://www.ok.gov/odot/Doing_Business/Local_Government_Resource_Center/Transportation_Alternatives_Program_(TAP)/

Define "build anything else". Does that mean all-new ROW or improving existing roads in non-metropolitan areas?

"Major" interchanges in OKC (from NW clockwise around the Metro):
Dead Man's Curve (I-44 and OK74) - no immediate plans to improve
Broadway Ext Clusterf*** - I235/I44 - under construction for the next 10 years
Adventure District (I35/I44 as mentioned upthread).
Fort Smith junction - already fixed.
Dallas junction - under construction.
Crossroads - scheduled improvements.
Amarillo junction - really needs help. Crumbling bridges and all those left exits.

You could make an argument that the Amarillo junction should be a higher priority than the Adventure District; but the reality is many of the bridges in the latter are seriously deficient. It would be a true waste to rebuild them without addressing the problems.

'build anything else' means no new capacity. Fix current capacity first. That means no new downtown boulevard and no widening projects. If a bridge needs to be replaced, replace it with a bridge designed for the same capacity.

If your roof is falling in you don't say we might as well add a game room while we are at it - lest we have to build a roof extension later, when your bathroom is still flooding the basement.

One thing that bothers me about ODOT is the way that their field divisions are split up.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/OklaDOT_field_divisions.svg/800px-OklaDOT_field_divisions.svg.png

Oklahoma County falls in Division 4, which is administered out of...Perry. Meanwhile, Cleveland County falls in Division 3, which is based in Ada! No wonder OKC seems to be low on ODOT's priorities list sometimes, they don't even have a field office here!

It makes no sense to me to have the OKC metro split up into two different regions like this. I would have to think it would make metro-wide planning more difficult having the southern suburbs in a different region (though maybe planning is done under a different bureaucratic division than maintenance). I'd like to see a Division 9 created that includes at least Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian, and maybe McClain counties, with a field office in OKC.

There is a Division 4 Annex for the metro area that has it's own head engineer, so in a sense it does have it's own division. And anyone who thinks OKC gets no attention is mistaken. Money is broken out in the divisions and OKC's I-40 project took the majority of the division's new construction funds plus some.

There is a Division 4 Annex for the metro area that has it's own head engineer, so in a sense it does have it's own division. And anyone who thinks OKC gets no attention is mistaken. Money is broken out in the divisions and OKC's I-40 project took the majority of the division's new construction funds plus some.

Okay, that does help matters, I'm sure; I wasn't aware of that since I'm pretty sure it wasn't mentioned or wasn't very prominent on their old website (haven't really looked at it since they redesigned it recently). Do you know if this annex includes Cleveland County as well? Splitting the divisions at S.E. 89th Street never made any sense to me.

ODOT has proposed a diverging diamond interchange for Waterloo. Very cool to see! I'll try and post images when I get time unless someone else does it.

https://www.ok.gov/odot/Programs_and_Projects/Public_Meetings_and_Hearings/20160128.html