According to recent minutes the Covell Parkway has been downgraded from a divided road with a median to no media and the blame is laying on the bike master plan which makes no sense. I really dislike the current mayor and hearing this from him just makes me angry but what can you do. The section between BLVD. and Coltrane will be a typical undivided road with no median.

It appears on this issue I actually agree with the new mayor which is shocking to me:

A good read:

https://www.edmondsun.com/news/local_news/city-council-debates-covell-parkway/article_b5f7827a-c06d-11e9-82a5-63a1a5c4af14.html

It appears on this issue I actually agree with the new mayor which is shocking to me:

A good read:

https://www.edmondsun.com/news/local_news/city-council-debates-covell-parkway/article_b5f7827a-c06d-11e9-82a5-63a1a5c4af14.html

Same. Keep Covell wide and divided and continue the same design from I-35 to Portland (or just past Santa Fe/city limits)

The current section of Covell between Santa Fe to Blvd/Broadway is so desirable because it is wide, and has a divided median the entire length.

^^^^^^^^^^ !!

Plus, I'd like to see them give Covell traffic light advantage to make it a primary east-west artery from l-35 to the Parkway.

The traffic projects page has been updated and includes a few new projects I'll list below.

New Projects:

"Covell and Cheyenne Middle School/Uptown Market

This project will construct a traffic signal light at the intersection to provide for safer movements onto Covell Road. This project will be funded using 100% city funds from the 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax. The estimate cost is $400,000. The anticipated start is Fall 2021.

December 2020 update: Staff is negotiating consultant design fees and will present contract at upcoming Public Works Committee and City Council.''


"Phase 4, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) on 33rd Street, Boulevard, and Bryant

This project consists of installing 11 miles of fiber optic cable and replacing the traffic signal cabinets and controllers and associated signal equipment at 22 intersections on 33rd Street from Broadway to Coltrane and on Boulevard from 33rd to 2nd St and on Bryant from 33rd to 2nd St in order to bring them into compliance with the National Transportation Communication for Intelligent Transportation System Protocol (NTCIP) standards. These intersections will connect to the Traffic Management Center via fiber optics and wireless communication network.
The estimated construction cost is currently unknown. The City will apply for 80% Federal funds with the remaining 20% from the 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. After completion of the phase 4 project, 85% of the traffic signals in Edmond will be following the latest standards while the remaining 15% are running off older technology.

December 2020 update: Staff is negotiating consultant design fees and will present at upcoming Public Works Committee and City Council."


"2nd Street/Edmond Rd ADA improvements

This project consists of reconstructing portions of sidewalks and wheelchair ramps that do not currently meet compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Current construction cost is estimated at $3,807,000. City staff will apply for 80% federal funding with the remaining 20% from the 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax. Construction date is currently unknown.

December 2020 update: Staff is negotiating consultant design fees and will present contract at an upcoming Public Works Committee and City Council."

Updated projects:

"Danforth and Sooner

This project consists of widening Danforth and Sooner intersection to include left turn lanes, two through lanes, and where possible right turn lanes. The intersection will be signalized. Retaining walls will be necessary on Danforth west of Sooner due to the existing grades. Estimated construction cost is $9,772,988. This project was approved for $7,500,000 in federal funds with the remaining $2,272,988 in City funds from the 2017 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. The anticipated start date is in 2023/24.


December 2020 update: design is 56% complete. The scope of project has expanded to include widening in front of the Francis Tuttle building with left and right turn lanes and a signal light at School Street which is the main entrance to the Francis Tuttle facility."

"Danforth and Kelly

This project will widen the intersection to a four-lane divided road with dual left turn lanes and separate right turn lanes. A new signal light will be installed and connected to the Traffic Management Center. The project extents will be approximately 1400 feet east, west and south and 500 feet to the north.
The estimated cost is $6,190,143. The City will receive 80% Federal funds with 20% City funds from the 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. The project is currently listed in federal fiscal 2022.

December 2020 update: The environmental review in under way at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). ODOT has this project listed for funding in Federal Fiscal Year 2022."


"2nd and Boulevard

This project consists of adding dual left turn lanes, two through lanes, and a right turn lane for Southbound direction and one left turn lane, two through lanes, and one right turn lane for Northbound direction. No widening will occur on 2nd Street due to limited right-of-way. New signal lights will be installed and connected back to the Traffic Management Center. Current construction estimate is $2,027,300 and will be funded with 100% City funds from the 2017 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. Construction date is currently unknown.

December 2020 update: City was able to secure an easement from the First Christian Church which will allow additional improvements to the westbound direction that were not part of the original contract. Those improvements consist of two through lanes, one left turn lane, and one right turn lane. The existing offset alignment in the westbound direction will be improved. The construction plans are currently 52% complete. Construction is anticipated in 2022."

There is a full comprehensive list here: https://www.edmondok.com/802/Future-Construction-Projects

My opinions, this is a good plan but soooo many of these projects were needed about 10 years ago. The Danforth and Sooner intersection is horrible. I'm also not sure why they feel the need for new traffic signal at the uptown Grocery entrance. I suppose it could help consolidate traffic but they should have intregraterd this entire development with Covell Village Dr. and then the could have moved the main road leading to Mitch and YMCA further east and realign it to match. Instead Edmond will what it typically does and add traffic signals everywhere due to poor planning and slowing traffic.

Edmond also needs to really think about six laning more roads and working with OKDOT to turn parts of Broadway into a freeway and also working to get a new freeway loop around Edmond and NW OKC.

I understand this takes some serious money and I get Edmond in partly in a spot because of restrictive the state is in how they can collect taxes. That needs to be fixed and meanwhile Edmond needs to find way to collect more revenue to spend on roads.

They also have a new section listing "concrete reconstruction projects" and list Kelly and 33rd as one of the intersections to be completely reconstructed. Other smaller projects around the city are listed and they also include peripheral sidewalk improvements fixing some really headscratcher pieces like the photo shown near Chowning and Ayers. I don't even know how sh1t like that happens.

https://www.edmondok.com/DocumentCenter/View/6495/Concrete-Reconstruction-Projects

Instead Edmond will what it typically does and add traffic signals everywhere due to poor planning and slowing traffic.

Edmond also needs to really think about six laning more roads and working with OKDOT to turn parts of Broadway into a freeway and also working to get a new freeway loop around Edmond and NW OKC.


This.

The lack of future planning and traffic flow around the city is mind boggling. Covell widening, Uptown Grocery and North Lowes were a clean slate, and within ten years the solution to any congested intersection is just put up another stop light? So from Santa Fe to Kelly there will be a total of 4 stop lights?

I have yet to see the benefits of the intelligent light system. It does not matter if I am going east bound or west bound on Covell, I always hit the Thomas Trails stoplight on Covell after Broadway/Kelly.
The same red light shuffle going southbound on Broadway to the freeway or east/west on 2nd Street from Bryant to Santa Fe. One does not simply drive through Edmond.

I thought the whole point of the Covell widening was to eventually have a wide "expressway" type traffic flow from I35 to Portland/HWY 74? That does not happen with stoplights every 300 yards.

Edmond thinks the solution to every traffic problem is a stop light. The only exception is where they really need them because the intersection isn't safe. The intersection of Homestead Blvd and Danforth has had several accidents yet the city doesn't do anything including marking the road so people know how to turn. I've personally witnessed 3 within the last year or so.

The best thing the city does is make sure stop lights interrupt the traffic flow of major streets so one car can pull out of random strip malls!

Danforth and Kelly

This project will widen the intersection to a four-lane divided road

Anyone remember when that was a stop sign with 2 lanes each way (and maybe left turn lanes too). No one could figure out when to go because you'd have 8 cars pull up at the same time. I think they upgraded it about the time Walmart went in on Santa Fe.

Yep I used to ride to Danforth and kelly back in the early 80's as in ride horses there and around town.

No I don’t remember that. How long ago was that?

Edmond traffic will never be alleviated because the problem isn’t with stop lights or the amount of lanes. The problem is there is zero grid and all traffic is forced to one through street every mile. You can’t design your way out of that problem.

Edmond traffic will never be alleviated because the problem isn’t with stop lights or the amount of lanes. The problem is there is zero grid and all traffic is forced to one through street every mile. You can’t design your way out of that problem.
More lanes would easily alleviate much of the congestion. But I’ll wait your strongtowns article about “induced demand” or other bullsh!t akin to that theory.

More lanes would easily alleviate much of the congestion. But I’ll wait your strongtowns article about “induced demand” or other bullsh!t akin to that theory.

I'm pretty sure that in many cases it's been determined that additional lanes don't always alleviate traffic. I do imagine that adding right turn or double left turn lanes would help if it would allow you to process more traffic through the intersections in one go.

It sounds like the argument is that you need more freeways to get out of town sooner, which doesn't really sound feasible to me. And even though I'm from Edmond and do get annoyed with traffic at times, I still doubt that it's way worse than the average suburb, but I would imagine the city had studies that would have more information on that. It does seem like they are making efforts to improve things by trying the signals together, though it has been a long process.

More lanes would easily alleviate much of the congestion. But I’ll wait your strongtowns article about “induced demand” or other bullsh!t akin to that theory.

I also think if there were more exits on I-35 north of 2nd St it would alleviate the congestion. I'm forced to go to Waterloo or down to Covell. You're limited to take 2-3 major thoroughfares, Boulevard/Broadway (N/S) then 2nd, Danforth, Covell (East/West). They have just limited and pushed traffic to the central part of town. It may get worse north and east as those developments keep coming!
Could you imagine if Portland/74 became more of a highway further north and looped over or had a spur to Seward RD as a northwest loop?

I also think if there were more exits on I-35 north of 2nd St it would alleviate the congestion. I'm forced to go to Waterloo or down to Covell. You're limited to take 2-3 major thoroughfares, Boulevard/Broadway (N/S) then 2nd, Danforth, Covell (East/West). They have just limited and pushed traffic to the central part of town. It may get worse north and east as those developments keep coming!
Could you imagine if Portland/74 became more of a highway further north and looped over or had a spur to Seward RD as a northwest loop?

Oh good Lord! That would be waaaay too smart.

The problem with adding more exits now is that a lot of the land is developed or in the process of being developed with high end homes. This should have been done 20 years ago. Same with a loop from 74 highway to I 35 north of Waterloo. The problem is that it gets way too expensive to buy out homes (high end) vs vacant land.

I'm pretty sure that in many cases it's been determined that additional lanes don't always alleviate traffic. I do imagine that adding right turn or double left turn lanes would help if it would allow you to process more traffic through the intersections in one go.

It sounds like the argument is that you need more freeways to get out of town sooner, which doesn't really sound feasible to me. And even though I'm from Edmond and do get annoyed with traffic at times, I still doubt that it's way worse than the average suburb, but I would imagine the city had studies that would have more information on that. It does seem like they are making efforts to improve things by trying the signals together, though it has been a long process.
Adding turning lanes is adding more lanes. But to your point, yes, adding turning lanes would also alleviate congestion as well. No argument from me there.

Adding turning lanes is adding more lanes. But to your point, yes, adding turning lanes would also alleviate congestion as well. No argument from me there.

Well, I'm thinking of intersection lanes, not additional lanes that run a whole mile. Maybe that's what you were thinking of as well.

I agree more intersection lanes are a good thing.

I understand but my larger point is that more lanes don’t equal more traffic. Lane and infrastructure expansion suits demand. If a lane becomes clogged after opening than latent demand is more likely at play indicating larger regional issues. Edmond isn’t at the point and won’t be for awhile. Six laning roads like Kelly, Danforth, 2nd, Bryant, etc. would absolutely help traffic flow just as much as better intersections would. It’s also prudent but doing one without the other will change some but how much is question.

Six laning roads like Kelly, Danforth, 2nd, Bryant, etc. would absolutely help traffic flow just as much as better intersections would. It’s also prudent but doing one without the other will change some but how much is question.

Something as basic as just putting in a dedicated center turn lane on Edmond Road between Broadway to west city limits would do wonders. The same could be said for Danforth from Chowning to west city limits/Santa Fe. Also, dedicated right turn lanes at intersections and business entrances would help traffic flow around the city.

However, Edmond Road and Danforth both have businesses and residences nearly backed up already on a very skinny four lane road, I have no idea how they would be able to add six lanes, let alone a dedicated center turn lane without really encroaching upon property.

Also, I think having the majority of your retail/restaurant in the middle/core has hurt traffic flow. You see most development happening from 33rd north to Danforth and from Kelley to Bryant. You have essentially forced the entire population of 95,000 residents to shop, dine, etc within an estimated 10 sq miles.
IMO, more development needs to happen on the fringe to alleviate this.

Its not just the population of Edmond (those in Edmond city limits) but others from areas to the west who come in to shop, eat out, etc. Also add in the people who live out east of Edmond, or north (those in Luther, Welston, Guthrie etc) and those who work in Edmond or go to UCO then you get a picture that is more then the "95,000" residents. As the area east of I 35 grows then even more people. Ops you need to include those in areas north of Waterloo in southern Logan county to the mix. The roads where designed for a city of 20 to 30K not 100K plus.

My two or three cents. I 35 should have been planned for having service roads on both sides from Memorial to Waterloo. The areas on both sides for a mile (or at least the half mile) should have been planned for heavier zoning such as retail and multifamily etc and not for single family. This would have helped somewhat with the traffic issues. The old downtown and old main arterial streets would have presented issues. If the focus would have been to draw more of the traffic to newer areas planned for more traffic flow, then there would have been issues. Waterloo east and west of I35 as well as Covell should have been planned for 6 lanes (3 each direction) Currently the Covell parkway idea is for it to continue east of I35 to Douglas, Douglas to Waterloo and then back to I-35

Agreed, agreed, agreed. All of your points. ��

And if you look at true city limits, Edmond goes further north than many think, and way further east. I was glad to see the NE Edmond 2050 planning survey come out, but I feel like it's about 10 years too late.

My two or three cents. I 35 should have been planned for having service roads on both sides from Memorial to Waterloo. The areas on both sides for a mile (or at least the half mile) should have been planned for heavier zoning such as retail and multifamily etc and not for single family. This would have helped somewhat with the traffic issues. The old downtown and old main arterial streets would have presented issues. If the focus would have been to draw more of the traffic to newer areas planned for more traffic flow, then there would have been issues. Waterloo east and west of I35 as well as Covell should have been planned for 6 lanes (3 each direction) Currently the Covell parkway idea is for it to continue east of I35 to Douglas, Douglas to Waterloo and then back to I-35
They are going to extend the service roads to Waterloo. I also believe Edmond is working on a plan to allowed increase density along I-35.

The problem is that they will have to buy out some expensive homes in the process. I did see the plan but when it comes down to buying out homes north of $350K to over $500K per home, well you understand what I am saying. They will be buying out whole neighborhoods.Not sure if this will fly.

Agreed, agreed, agreed. All of your points. ��

And if you look at true city limits, Edmond goes further north than many think, and way further east. I was glad to see the NE Edmond 2050 planning survey come out, but I feel like it's about 10 years too late.

Not 10 yrs too late but 30 to 40 yrs too late. I live on the east side and have been talking about this and only got, the east side will only be large acreages because its too expensive to extend utilities. Yes I was at the planning commission meeting when the Frankforts wanted single family on their mile sections and said they will pay for the utilities. It was a kind of shock to the commission members. I kept telling people in the city that the center of Edmond is not Broadway but I -35 and get ready for growth east.

The problem is that they will have to buy out some expensive homes in the process. I did see the plan but when it comes down to buying out homes north of $350K to over $500K per home, well you understand what I am saying. They will be buying out whole neighborhoods.Not sure if this will fly.
Then it will be protested and Edmond will become a traffic hellhole. So that’s that if it becomes the case.

I predict that the old central area of Edmond will be an even more a traffic nightmare. I can say that I've been there done that. The UCO traffic at least in years past was a nightmare, since I am retired I try to say out of the area during morning, noon and evening rush hours. When you add the folks from north parts of Edmond, southern Logan county, east side, west side as they build out, it will only get much worst. I don't see any realistic ways to really improve the mess. Too late for that by about 40 yrs or so.

Its not just the population of Edmond (those in Edmond city limits) but others from areas to the west who come in to shop, eat out, etc. Also add in the people who live out east of Edmond, or north (those in Luther, Welston, Guthrie etc) and those who work in Edmond or go to UCO then you get a picture that is more then the "95,000" residents. As the area east of I 35 grows then even more people. Ops you need to include those in areas north of Waterloo in southern Logan county to the mix. The roads where designed for a city of 20 to 30K not 100K plus.

I moved to Edmond in 1972 (5th grade), maybe 20,000 people and it was 35K by 1980. There was zero vision back then. All the original one lane roads west of Broadway should have been expanded to 5 lanes everywhere similar to Western between Edmond Road and 15th street ( 164th ). Five mile radius from 33rd & Bdwy is more like 125K when you take into consideration what is known as West Edmond. It's pathetic how bad getting around Edmond has become.

I moved to Edmond in 1972 (5th grade), maybe 20,000 people and it was 35K by 1980. There was zero vision back then. All the original one lane roads west of Broadway should have been expanded to 5 lanes everywhere similar to Western between Edmond Road and 15th street ( 164th ). Five mile radius from 33rd & Bdwy is more like 125K when you take into consideration what is known as West Edmond. It's pathetic how bad getting around Edmond has become.

Maybe part of the problem is that it's a trifecta of jurisdictions. "West Edmond" usually includes far Northwest Oklahoma City and Deer Creek Schools. Go to any of the neighborhood facebook/nextdoor pages for these neighborhoods and you'll see those complain about a problem to the City of Edmond, all while they actually reside in Oklahoma City.

Edmond city limits end about half a mile past Santa Fe on 178th and divide down 15th/164th. Many who claim they live in Edmond (because they have an Edmond mail address) actually live in OKC with blue trash cans, OKC water, etc.

FOX 25 did an entertaining story on this with Mayor Holt: https://okcfox.com/news/local/where-do-you-live-for-many-the-answer-is-complicated

The 1x1 grid system with no major east west highway or expressways greatly complicates matters as new, densely populated neighborhoods continue to build north and west. If ODOT had the money, Hefner Parkway/Portland should have been extended to 192nd with controlled access (no stoplights) to aid in north/south traffic. Right now this ends at 150th.

The 1x1 grid system with no major east west highway or expressways greatly complicates matters as new, densely populated neighborhoods continue to build north and west. If ODOT had the money, Hefner Parkway/Portland should have been extended to 192nd with controlled access (no stoplights) to aid in north/south traffic. Right now this ends at 150th.

At one time, ODOT had planned on taking it a controlled access way further north, but cited "cost" as they always do so they downgraded it to what you see. Those lights, man they are awful. I often find myself stopping at every single dang light which makes the roadway no better than using May or Penn which I've always done and will continue to do. These "smart" traffic systems here in Oklahoma are a joke. But really, 74 is now just wider with a median. ODOT and OKC really squandered a good opportunity there to really help better the traffic situation for the building population out that way.

Maybe part of the problem is that it's a trifecta of jurisdictions. "West Edmond" usually includes far Northwest Oklahoma City and Deer Creek Schools. Go to any of the neighborhood facebook/nextdoor pages for these neighborhoods and you'll see those complain about a problem to the City of Edmond, all while they actually reside in Oklahoma City.

Edmond city limits end about half a mile past Santa Fe on 178th and divide down 15th/164th. Many who claim they live in Edmond (because they have an Edmond mail address) actually live in OKC with blue trash cans, OKC water, etc.

FOX 25 did an entertaining story on this with Mayor Holt: https://okcfox.com/news/local/where-do-you-live-for-many-the-answer-is-complicated

The 1x1 grid system with no major east west highway or expressways greatly complicates matters as new, densely populated neighborhoods continue to build north and west. If ODOT had the money, Hefner Parkway/Portland should have been extended to 192nd with controlled access (no stoplights) to aid in north/south traffic. Right now this ends at 150th.

the long term plan is making 74 controlled access all the way to waterloo

Maybe part of the problem is that it's a trifecta of jurisdictions. "West Edmond" usually includes far Northwest Oklahoma City and Deer Creek Schools. Go to any of the neighborhood facebook/nextdoor pages for these neighborhoods and you'll see those complain about a problem to the City of Edmond, all while they actually reside in Oklahoma City.

Edmond city limits end about half a mile past Santa Fe on 178th and divide down 15th/164th. Many who claim they live in Edmond (because they have an Edmond mail address) actually live in OKC with blue trash cans, OKC water, etc.

FOX 25 did an entertaining story on this with Mayor Holt: https://okcfox.com/news/local/where-do-you-live-for-many-the-answer-is-complicated

The 1x1 grid system with no major east west highway or expressways greatly complicates matters as new, densely populated neighborhoods continue to build north and west. If ODOT had the money, Hefner Parkway/Portland should have been extended to 192nd with controlled access (no stoplights) to aid in north/south traffic. Right now this ends at 150th.

I wish "Deer Creek" would just vote to annex into Edmond officially. Keep the schools, their fire department (which is a clone of EFD if not better) and water, and just add streets, sanitation and police services (would replace the dedicated DC Deputy's the county can't pay staffing for). Then they could say they live in Edmond, and mean it while the city would be able to pool funding to provide services to the functional population that actually uses the city and services day to day.

Hollywood I will take offence that you said that Deer Creek could be better. Sorry but nope. We the best. I'm a retired Edmond firefighter.

Heads up, Kelly and 33rd will have its concrete pavement reconstructed— a much needed project if you ask me.


EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) – Drivers in Edmond may need to change their morning routine due to an upcoming road construction project.

Beginning on Wednesday, April 14, contractors will reconstruct the concrete intersection at 33rd St. and Kelly Ave.

Read more here: https://kfor.com/news/local/construction-to-begin-on-busy-edmond-intersection/

Heads up, Kelly and 33rd will have its concrete pavement reconstructed— a much needed project if you ask me.



Read more here: https://kfor.com/news/local/construction-to-begin-on-busy-edmond-intersection/
Agreed - very much needed.

Agreed - very much needed.

They are just replacing bad concrete panels. I wanted them to tear it out and expand the westbound left turn lane from one to 2 so it would quit backing up traffic.

I know it's OKC but they REALLY need to address Kelley south of 150th. Terrible ruts and no dedicated center turn lane. That heavy industrial traffic is shredding that asphalt.

They are just replacing bad concrete panels. I wanted them to tear it out and expand the westbound left turn lane from one to 2 so it would quit backing up traffic.

I know it's OKC but they REALLY need to address Kelley south of 150th. Terrible ruts and no dedicated center turn lane. That heavy industrial traffic is shredding that asphalt.

Dang, I was hoping that was what they were going to fix!

They are just replacing bad concrete panels. I wanted them to tear it out and expand the westbound left turn lane from one to 2 so it would quit backing up traffic.

I know it's OKC but they REALLY need to address Kelley south of 150th. Terrible ruts and no dedicated center turn lane. That heavy industrial traffic is shredding that asphalt.

That section of roadway is Edmond. It is all the way south until you reach the area of the cement company. Oklahoma City’s limits begin at the west curb line along that section.

2nd St/Bryant intersection construction set to start next week:

“ Construction Set to Begin at Second Street & Bryant Avenue
On Monday, June 21st, construction will begin on improvements at the intersection of Second Street and Bryant Avenue. This work is expected to last approximately twelve months with cooperative weather.

During this project, the intersection will be widened to better accommodate regular traffic volumes in the area. After completion, each direction of two-lane traffic will be complemented with dual left turn lanes and a right turn lane.

Varying lane closures will take place throughout the entirety of the project. Both roadways will have reduced lanes in each direction except for the upcoming 4th of July weekend. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes as necessary, but residents are still encouraged to support the businesses in the area.

This contractor for the project Crossland Heavy Contractors. The total cost is $7,478,800 with the City of Edmond providing 100% of the funding.”

- https://www.edmondok.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=836

That section of roadway is Edmond. It is all the way south until you reach the area of the cement company. Oklahoma City’s limits begin at the west curb line along that section.
That is probably a very low priority for the city unfortunately. Edmond should work with OKC to grade separate the road from RR, add a divided median with reconstructed concrete roadway, and as rte66man said, widen the intersection at Kelly and 33rd.

I suspect Edmond feels as most citizens will chalk this up as being an issue with OKC. Edmond is going to have find to a way to increase its road budget soon. Maybe as traffic gets worse it will be an easier sell to frustrated citizens.

This isn’t a huge project but I’ll add it here anyways:

“ Douglas Boulevard Reconstruction Begins Monday, June 7
Work to reconstruct a section of Douglas Boulevard will begin on Monday, June 7. The project is expected to take approximately 60 days with cooperative weather.

The area of Douglas Boulevard to be reconstructed is between Covell Road and Coffee Creek Road. The road will remain open during this project, but motorists should expect periodic closures and various lane shifts. Delays should be expected, and motorists are encouraged to find an alternate route if possible.

This project is being conducted by Oklahoma County District #3 through an interlocal agreement with the City of Edmond. The total cost for the project is $420,000 and funded from the City of Edmond Street & Alley Fund.”

- https://www.edmondok.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=833

Starting Monday, June 21st, construction will begin on improvements at the intersection of Second Street and Bryant Avenue. This work is expected to last approximately twelve months with cooperative weather.

https://www.edmondok.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=836

See you in a year 2nd and Bryant!

Any ideas when Western will be back open at Danforth? I haven't been down by there in a while to see how much work is left.

Any ideas when Western will be back open at Danforth? I haven't been down by there in a while to see how much work is left.

This is actually an Oklahoma City project. It was supposed to be completed last March, but it got behind due to weather. It appears they are getting close since a lot of the heavy moving construction equipment is gone.

Any ideas when Western will be back open at Danforth? I haven't been down by there in a while to see how much work is left.
It seems like this section has been closed forever.

It seems like this section has been closed forever.

Can someone in road construction or civic engineering please explain why these one mile road-widening or intersection widening's take so long (one year plus for such a small stretch of road or existing intersections)

Edmond has begun a year long project on 2nd and Bryant, it seems that it would be easier to just close the intersection for a week and work around the clock to fix it, versus stretching it out and causing year long traffic congestion.

It's a wonder how the previous generation was able to build things like a 90 mile turnpike from Tulsa to Oklahoma City or a 200 mile plus road like I35 from Texas to Kansas in just a few years.

^^^^ the Golden Gate Bridge was built from conception in 4 years. A serious need has been identified for a new bay crossing and it’s estimated to not be completed until the 2040s. Says a lot about infrastructure building capabilities today in America.

And the willingness to take risks. Didn't about a dozen folks die during the construction, and there was even a club created for the construction workers that fell and survived during the construction?

Its sort of like comparing railroad construction during the rush for the transcontinental railroads to today. Speed was more important than safety or even structural stability in some places. Same thing with some of the road construction of the past, where it was about laying as many miles as possible. Things are slower now, and they cost a lot more money to build (labor is more expensive now than then). Can't exactly bring in 10,000 immigrant laborers to work for slave wages this time.

^^^^ Jerry, somewhere between taking 4 years and 20+, there lays middle ground to build such a structure. I was only using an extreme comparison but in general it takes way too long to complete infrastructure projects in America.

I expect that 20+ years involves more than just the bridge. It's likely looking at the entire infrastructure surrounding it, traffic plans and redirects, land acquisitions, and trying to do it in a way that's as minimally disruptive as possible to existing traffic and transportation needs. It's not that they *couldn't* replace the bridge in 4 years if they needed to. And I wonder if the actual construction part of the process isn't closer to that 4 year time period. There was a LOT of work that went into the Golden Gate before the construction began (the process started about 20 years earlier).

Look at the I-40 bridge over the Illinois River. It took 2 months to rebuild that bridge (it was expected to take 6) and it set a new record.

But there's no reason to move this fast 99% of the time, and when you're dealing with upgrading or replacing existing construction it's a much different scenario that initial construction in a fairly open playing field. It also becomes cost prohibitive to move all of them at that speed for every project.

There is a serious problem in this country with the cost and time it takes to build infrastructure. There are scores of articles about it around the internet from reputable sources.

There is a serious problem in this country with the cost and time it takes to build infrastructure. There are scores of articles about it around the internet from reputable sources.

As an engineer I'd be glad to read those.

I certainly agree we don't PRIORITIZE speed above all else on a lot of these projects. But that doesn't mean the comparison to our building practices in the past are valid. My great grandfather was a lineman killed in Enid a long time before I was born, working on massive roleouts of our electrical grid. We are capable of laying miles of line faster and safer nowadays than we were back then but we don't tend to deploy at those speeds anymore, for many reasons - safety and logistics being a large part of it.

They also didn't have to deal with pesky things like the EPA back then. You'd be amazed how much time is spend on environmental studies and the like.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/reason.com/2021/03/25/why-does-american-infrastructure-cost-more-and-take-longer-to-build-than-it-used-to/%3famp

“ Bridges, roads, and other modern infrastructure projects in the United States take exceptionally longer to complete compared to those in other nations. A new video from Kite and Key creators breaks down exactly why a combination of government regulations and bad management causes such lengthy delays in assembling the transportation and urban foundation of American cities.

The Golden Gate Bridge and Empire State building are just two examples of speedy and successful construction projects in the United States, the video begins, but now significantly smaller buildings, bridges, and other proposals are taking an abnormally long time to finish.”

https://thefederalist.com/2021/06/01/why-have-american-infrastructure-projects-become-so-painfully-slow-and-expensive/

They also didn't have to deal with pesky things like the EPA back then. You'd be amazed how much time is spend on environmental studies and the like.
I’m fully aware of the EIS system and other related studies that are required. I’m curious to know your take and what you think about the process. Are you fine with the way we build infrastructure in this country; how long it takes and the cost? Do not think there’s anything that could be changed to shorten the process and lower the cost?

Noticed some large pipes in the parking lot of the old Ace location on Danforth and then another stack of the same pipes at the soccer fields, any clue what is going on? These look like large drainage pipes that would almost have to tear the road up to install.