I'm sorry if this has been discussed at length already. I didn't feel like reading through the other huge I-40 thread. I have a couple of questions: First, are they going to continue the second lane on the I-40 to I-44/74 northbound (technically east-bound) through the entire length of the ramp? Secondly, if not, who the heck designs these things???

For instance, I-40 is six lanes or so coming up to that interchange. Two lanes break off to the north, a couple continue through, and a lane or two break off to the south. This is fine, and I have no problem with this. My problem is that out of the two lanes that break off to the north, only one goes all the way through. This seems incredibly inefficient to me. What ends up happening is you funnel a large portion of traffic from two lanes down to one in the middle of a ramp, so the people that are in the through-going lane end up getting stuck in a huge traffic jam while others continue on around to force themselves in later. It seems more efficient to only send one lane off to the north. You end up with a really long line but it moves because you don't have that funneling effect that we do now. The other option is to continue both lanes through the freaking ramp like they should have done! Any thoughts?

Ummmm...I-40 east if the interchange was recently rebuilt so you have to turn (five) lanes into two thru lanes which previously existed since the time the interchange itself was born.

With regard to the two lanes--westbound I-40 to eastbound I-44 (traveling north) the left lane has to merge because I-44 is made of 4 lanes (the one from eastbound I-40, the two thru lanes that are I-44 and this lane). You could make it a two lane entry with the right lane turning into an Exit Only lane for NW 10th Street but you'd have to widen the overpass for Reno which means you might as well go ahead and rebuild the whole damn thing to accommodate for adding a fifth lane so that when they rebuild the whole interchange, the second lane for I-40 eastbound Exit Only to I-44 eastbound (traveling north) will already be in place.

I think it's frustrating too. There should be three lanes in every direction available at this interchange but unfortunately, the state (with the way they pay for road construction) can only afford to do so much work at one time...hence I235/I44 now and then followed by I35/I240.

I'd also like to see 2 thru lanes on I-44 westbound where Hwy 74 southbound merges in. Continue that second lane AT LEAST all the way to NW 23rd Street as an EXIT ONLY lane.

I'm still wondering why they screwed up the east bound 39th st exit to I44 W. It seemed perfectly fine before they changed it to where you now have to cross 36th st then negotiate the short s turn to get on I44.

Ummmm...I-40 east if the interchange was recently rebuilt so you have to turn (five) lanes into two thru lanes which previously existed since the time the interchange itself was born.

With regard to the two lanes--westbound I-40 to eastbound I-44 (traveling north) the left lane has to merge because I-44 is made of 4 lanes (the one from eastbound I-40, the two thru lanes that are I-44 and this lane). You could make it a two lane entry with the right lane turning into an Exit Only lane for NW 10th Street but you'd have to widen the overpass for Reno which means you might as well go ahead and rebuild the whole damn thing to accommodate for adding a fifth lane so that when they rebuild the whole interchange, the second lane for I-40 eastbound Exit Only to I-44 eastbound (traveling north) will already be in place.

I think it's frustrating too. There should be three lanes in every direction available at this interchange but unfortunately, the state (with the way they pay for road construction) can only afford to do so much work at one time...hence I235/I44 now and then followed by I35/I240.

I'd also like to see 2 thru lanes on I-44 westbound where Hwy 74 southbound merges in. Continue that second lane AT LEAST all the way to NW 23rd Street as an EXIT ONLY lane.

The bridge at Reno is wide enough to add an exit only lane to 10th, the one at Black Gold Dr would need to be widened to accommodate that. That was probably as much as ODOT could get out of the deal to rebuild i40, the old crosstown was on the verge of being a national problem to the interstate network but completing the lane to 10th is a regional issue and is probably going to have to wait till at least the i44/i35 & i240& i35 interchanges are complete.

Three lanes (I am guessing you mean through lanes) seems like overkill, the only time that they are not smoothly flowing is because the area beyond was already clogged. I44 between i40 & Airport road needs to be at least four lanes and some better design of the i44/66/Hefner parkway needs to be completed before that is even considered.

Look at Google Maps..it is not wide enough to accommodate 5 lanes plus two shoulders. Black Gold Drive overpass could be filled in the middle like how the OTA did all their bridges.

Everything else you say, I think you just strengthened my post so thank you.

Because the 2 lanes of I44 westbound had to merge to one lane. When the added traffic from eastbound 39th St was added in, it guaranteed a gridlock there from 3 - 6 PM every day.

Because the 2 lanes of I44 westbound had to merge to one lane. When the added traffic from eastbound 39th St was added in, it guaranteed a gridlock there from 3 - 6 PM every day.

Not to mention the number of accidents trying to make that move off the May Avenue exit and quick crossover to I-44 to head southbound. It was a nightmare.

Just wait until there actually is traffic coming from the bouelvard.

Apparently, there is going to be 60,000 cars a day according to ODOT. lol

Speaking of this intersection, does anyone know if the construction work on westbound I-40 lanes just west of I-44 is finished? Because if it is, then that is the absolute worst concrete work I have EVER seen. They made it worse than it was when it had cracks and potholes (and most of those are still there).

They have created a huge bottleneck at I-44 & I-40. Takes forever to go north bound on I-44 from I-40. I try to avoid that area if possible. They need to get this fixed asap. but it looks like it will be years before they get to it.

This interchange is an abomination. I understand this state has severe fiscal problems, but this interchange needs to be blown up and rebuilt brand new. It is terrible. And whatever company did the "work" on I-40 WB just west of this interchange ought to be shut down. It's embarrassing.

I think it's probably the next interchange to think about after 235/44 and 35/240 are done. But really it's only the I40 bridges that are problematic and cause the "funnel". You can't really do much more for w40 to n(e)44 because all of 44 really needs another couple of lanes added to it from the hefner split down to 240. And that's not gonna happen any time soon! But there is room to make sure that I-40 has at least 3 lanes over 44. Since 2 separate lanes open up to 4 lanes (for what 6 total each way) once they hit the new 40...there's plenty of room there to make it happen.

I dont think they are done on the 40 section just west of that junction though. I drive through that daily and the inside lanes (at least as of last week) had not been touched yet. I suspect that after they finish the patching, that they'll grind it down again like they did when they did the work 10 years ago. Just more work that can help extend the life of the road.....its just kind of a mess while they work through it.

I think it's probably the next interchange to think about after 235/44 and 35/240 are done. But really it's only the I40 bridges that are problematic and cause the "funnel". You can't really do much more for w40 to n(e)44 because all of 44 really needs another couple of lanes added to it from the hefner split down to 240. And that's not gonna happen any time soon! But there is room to make sure that I-40 has at least 3 lanes over 44. Since 2 separate lanes open up to 4 lanes (for what 6 total each way) once they hit the new 40...there's plenty of room there to make it happen.

I dont think they are done on the 40 section just west of that junction though. I drive through that daily and the inside lanes (at least as of last week) had not been touched yet. I suspect that after they finish the patching, that they'll grind it down again like they did when they did the work 10 years ago. Just more work that can help extend the life of the road.....its just kind of a mess while they work through it.

They just slapped some lines on it recently and called it good. It's absolutely awful driving over it every day. I really hope they finish it off properly soon. I have a hard time believing that any concrete contractor could do such poor work.

They just slapped some lines on it recently and called it good. It's absolutely awful driving over it every day. I really hope they finish it off properly soon. I have a hard time believing that any concrete contractor could do such poor work.

The “work” they did here is absolute sh*t. It’s an embarrassment and I can’t believe we paid for it.

The “work” they did here is absolute sh*t. It’s an embarrassment and I can’t believe we paid for it.

I agree. I wouldn't have paid a dime for that. Whichever company was responsible for that should be utterly ashamed.

The “work” they did here is absolute sh*t. It’s an embarrassment and I can’t believe we paid for it.


I agree. I wouldn't have paid a dime for that. Whichever company was responsible for that should be utterly ashamed.

Not only this, but the fact that it also passed inspection.

^^^ Is there any recourse to this, or are we just stuck and screwed? It's not like we can vote ODOT out or sue them.... :(

Are they finished with these repairs ? I thought maybe they pulled off until better weather came ?

Has ODOT responded if it's finished or not ?

Are they finished with these repairs ? I thought maybe they pulled off until better weather came ?

Has ODOT responded if it's finished or not ?
I was told it was finished when I inquired. Unreal.

I was told it was finished when I inquired. Unreal.

Then it really does suck.

I was told it was finished when I inquired. Unreal.

Bombermwc posted in the New I-40 thread that ODOT told him that they are not finished and will start back up in the Spring.

Hope this is correct, I just cant see how they could call what they've done as finished.

Bombermwc posted in the New I-40 thread that ODOT told him that they are not finished and will start back up in the Spring.

Hope this is correct, I just cant see how they could call what they've done as finished.
I saw that. I'm hoping he's correct too. I contacted ODOT through social media and was told work had concluded. Perhaps they were simply referring to that stage of work? I sent them another message asking for clarification so I'll let you know what they say.

^^^ Is there any recourse to this, or are we just stuck and screwed? It's not like we can vote ODOT out or sue them.... :(

The ODOT director serves at the pleasure of the governor. Haven't ever tried griping at the governor's office about ODOT, though, so I'm not sure whether it would actually get anything done.

You could also try your state House rep, who might be a little easier to put some fire under. Legislators don't have the direct authority to order work at ODOT, but Cabinet agencies generally don't like legislators poking around in their business all that much.

Are they finished with these repairs ? I thought maybe they pulled off until better weather came ?

Has ODOT responded if it's finished or not ?


Bombermwc posted in the New I-40 thread that ODOT told him that they are not finished and will start back up in the Spring.

Hope this is correct, I just cant see how they could call what they've done as finished.I can see them saying this but what kind of weather conditions would they want. They worked though Dec and Jan. The long range forecast is pretty much warm for Feb and dry.

I could post this in several threads, but haven't. I wonder if the awful hi-way system has any effect on business people looking at OKC for a home for their business? What I mean by that is if you fly into OKC, get a rental car, then drive on I-44 north, that road has been awful for years as far as bumpiness. Then, heaven forbid, they are looking out west on I-40... 40 gets better after Council, but that section that they just "repaired" between Portland and Meridian (both ways), is an absolute joke. It is worse than it was before they "repaired" it. I have to think that the car ride around this city has to have some indirect effect when people evaluate OKC.

I could post this in several threads, but haven't. I wonder if the awful hi-way system has any effect on business people looking at OKC for a home for their business? What I mean by that is if you fly into OKC, get a rental car, then drive on I-44 north, that road has been awful for years as far as bumpiness. Then, heaven forbid, they are looking out west on I-40... 40 gets better after Council, but that section that they just "repaired" between Portland and Meridian (both ways), is an absolute joke. It is worse than it was before they "repaired" it. I have to think that the car ride around this city has to have some indirect effect when people evaluate OKC.

No. I am in Sacramento on business, but flew into SFO. The highways around here are just as bad, if not worse. So it is not a factor.

nm

I could post this in several threads, but haven't. I wonder if the awful hi-way system has any effect on business people looking at OKC for a home for their business? What I mean by that is if you fly into OKC, get a rental car, then drive on I-44 north, that road has been awful for years as far as bumpiness. Then, heaven forbid, they are looking out west on I-40... 40 gets better after Council, but that section that they just "repaired" between Portland and Meridian (both ways), is an absolute joke. It is worse than it was before they "repaired" it. I have to think that the car ride around this city has to have some indirect effect when people evaluate OKC.

We were in Seattle last year...... some of the most god awful roads in the states. Also, as reported in another thread, the section of I-40 just west of the Amarillo junction is not finished. The contractor pulled off until the potential of better weather arrives.

I could post this in several threads, but haven't. I wonder if the awful hi-way system has any effect on business people looking at OKC for a home for their business? What I mean by that is if you fly into OKC, get a rental car, then drive on I-44 north, that road has been awful for years as far as bumpiness. Then, heaven forbid, they are looking out west on I-40... 40 gets better after Council, but that section that they just "repaired" between Portland and Meridian (both ways), is an absolute joke. It is worse than it was before they "repaired" it. I have to think that the car ride around this city has to have some indirect effect when people evaluate OKC.
OKC actually has an incredible freeway system for its size. It might be a bit old and outdated, but that is slowly being fixed. If anything, its freeways make us more attractive for companies looking to relocate there.

As for roads, OKC hardly has roads that are much worse pavement quality wise than other cities. LA and NYC take that prize. It's streets are just ugly as f@ck due to the lack of landscaping.

OKC actually has an incredible freeway system for its size. It might be a bit old and outdated, but that is slowly being fixed. If anything, its freeways make us more attractive for companies looking to relocate there.

As for roads, OKC hardly has roads that are much worse pavement quality wise than other cities. LA and NYC take that prize. It's streets are just ugly as f@ck due to the lack of landscaping.

Indeed, the OKC freeway system was well-designed as far as placing the actual corridors. We also had the benefit that the system works as intended because none of its components were cancelled from local opposition. That's one reason why traffic isn't as bad here as it gets in other cities our size.

The problem is that we simply didn't know enough about geometric design in the 1960s and 1970s as we do now. That is, we knew where we wanted freeways but we didn't know how to build a good freeway. Now that they're wearing out, it's time to upgrade them with what we've learned in the past 50 years. Unfortunately, that's pretty expensive.

Indeed, the OKC freeway system was well-designed as far as placing the actual corridors. We also had the benefit that the system works as intended because none of its components were cancelled from local opposition. That's one reason why traffic isn't as bad here as it gets in other cities our size.

The problem is that we simply didn't know enough about geometric design in the 1960s and 1970s as we do now. That is, we knew where we wanted freeways but we didn't know how to build a good freeway. Now that they're wearing out, it's time to upgrade them with what we've learned in the past 50 years. Unfortunately, that's pretty expensive.Correct. On top of the expense, it also doesn’t help that the state government is extremely conservative and is against tax increases and prohibits bond issues for OkDOT to fund road projects. I’m hoping that changes somewhat with the next governor of Oklahoma.

You do have to be careful with issuing bonds for transportation, though. OTA can issue bonds because they have revenue that can pay them back. Some states have dug themselves in a deep hole by issuing bonds the state didn't have the budget to repay, and getting crushed by the interest. I want to say that Missouri and Pennsylvania are two that have had that problem, but I may be remembering wrong.

Don't know if the economy has more to do with this coupled with fewer Federal Highway funds available; last time I drove through Texas (Tyler & Abilene) they have topped asphalt over previous concrete foundation roads.

You do have to be careful with issuing bonds for transportation, though. OTA can issue bonds because they have revenue that can pay them back. Some states have dug themselves in a deep hole by issuing bonds the state didn't have the budget to repay, and getting crushed by the interest. I want to say that Missouri and Pennsylvania are two that have had that problem, but I may be remembering wrong.

Wait until the federal tax cuts reduce federal revenue support and at the same time drive up inflation as a result of corporate financial activity. States will be paying much much more and getting less support. The federal govt is touting infrastructure, but can only do it by going into the markets and driving up demand for money and more interest rate increases. Get ready for it. States and anyone on fixed income, or low wages better get ready to bend over and take it.

Wait until the federal tax cuts reduce federal revenue support and at the same time drive up inflation as a result of corporate financial activity. States will be paying much much more and getting less support. The federal govt is touting infrastructure, but can only do it by going into the markets and driving up demand for money and more interest rate increases. Get ready for it. States and anyone on fixed income, or low wages better get ready to bend over and take it.
You don't think that the infrastructure plan will work well?

You do have to be careful with issuing bonds for transportation, though. OTA can issue bonds because they have revenue that can pay them back. Some states have dug themselves in a deep hole by issuing bonds the state didn't have the budget to repay, and getting crushed by the interest. I want to say that Missouri and Pennsylvania are two that have had that problem, but I may be remembering wrong.

Yeah, but I do think they should issue bonds for major projects like interchange replacements that could save lives.

You don't think that the infrastructure plan will work well?

I've yet to see any indication that there is an infrastructure plan, or that Congress has any real interest in passing one. I know the President has laid out the broad outlines of one, but that's very different than having an actual bill written.

Don't forget, we're approaching midterm season, so a lot of functional work is going to slow to a trickle while everyone leaves to go campaigning.

Bad wreck here that will shut down the freeway down for at least 8-10 hours as repairs are needed. Not sure what the cause here is but this interchange really needs to be rebuilt sooner rather than later and I hope it doesn’t take as long as the other interchanges are taking.

https://kfor.com/news/local/i-40-ramp-to-i-44-at-amarillo-junction-in-oklahoma-city-closed-following-semi-truck-crash/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR1KdAdwp3B-NpicReQkX49GEdDUYLygjKYnY1SOy0rNRcsfaK7AzB92xRM

Bad wreck here that will shut down the freeway down for at least 8-10 hours as repairs are needed. Not sure what the cause here is but this interchange really needs to be rebuilt sooner rather than later and I hope it doesn’t take as long as the other interchanges are taking.

https://kfor.com/news/local/i-40-ramp-to-i-44-at-amarillo-junction-in-oklahoma-city-closed-following-semi-truck-crash/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR1KdAdwp3B-NpicReQkX49GEdDUYLygjKYnY1SOy0rNRcsfaK7AzB92xRM

I got stuck in this quagmire just after 5:00pm. From I-235 on ramp to Pennsylvania exit took about 1hour and 15 minutes. Gave me flashbacks of when I used to live in DFW.

^^^. . .was planning on going downtown from South bound I-44. . ramp closed so I had to continue South to SW 15. . got off and headed East. . .
only to get in the middle of about 10 police cars, sirens and lights going full blast, heading towards the River. . .hadn't watched the news so didn't know what happened in either area until I got home :Smiley127

Bad wreck here that will shut down the freeway down for at least 8-10 hours as repairs are needed. Not sure what the cause here is but this interchange really needs to be rebuilt sooner rather than later and I hope it doesn’t take as long as the other interchanges are taking.

https://kfor.com/news/local/i-40-ramp-to-i-44-at-amarillo-junction-in-oklahoma-city-closed-following-semi-truck-crash/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR1KdAdwp3B-NpicReQkX49GEdDUYLygjKYnY1SOy0rNRcsfaK7AzB92xRM

Things like this was why I was glad for the Kilpatrick turnpike extension to Airport road, precovid it seemed like at least once a month some accident would grind somewhere on i40 between council and this juncture to a complete halt for hours during one of the rush hours. Granted the segment of 44 between 40 and 240 may have the most justification for widening in the metro today, at least there now is an alternate route to/from the west side of the city that does not include nearly a dozen stoplights on city streets or taking a long detour via Edmond.

I headed west on I-40 early one weekday morning and was shocked by the amount of traffic heading east into OKC at that time.

I suppose it makes sense due to the rapid growth in far west OKC/Mustang/Yukon and that there is really no other way to commute unless you work in North OKC and take the Turnpike loop.

I headed west on I-40 early one weekday morning and was shocked by the amount of traffic heading east into OKC at that time.

I suppose it makes sense due to the rapid growth in far west OKC/Mustang/Yukon and that there is really no other way to commute unless you work in North OKC and take the Turnpike loop.

I am not for widening highways just for the sake of it, and ODOT gets a TON of flak on this board. But the foresight for them to rebuild and expand I-40 to Yukon recently was spot on. Was that about a decade ago now?

I am not for widening highways just for the sake of it, and ODOT gets a TON of flak on this board. But the foresight for them to rebuild and expand I-40 to Yukon recently was spot on. Was that about a decade ago now?

True about the widening but the I-40/I-44 interchange is still a nightmare and a big bottleneck.

Traffic was backed up for miles on that one morning; just the weight of all the cars, not due to any sort of accident or construction.

ODOT loves to widen highways and neglect the interchanges. What is the point?

ODOT loves to widen highways and neglect the interchanges. What is the point?
I ask this all the time. What is the point of the widened I-40 when it feeds into two lanes and this interchange is terrible?

I ask this all the time. What is the point of the widened I-40 when it feeds into two lanes and this interchange is terrible?

That interchange was really bad the day it opened.

Just like the one at I-240/I-35.

I ask this all the time. What is the point of the widened I-40 when it feeds into two lanes and this interchange is terrible?

While many junctions do not have symmetric traffic shifts, this one they seem in the same ballpark to/from i40 and going through, plus two of the directions lose capacity from merging to three lanes directly after passing here. Which the areas where the lanes merge down to three past the juncture often seem to be the source of the most accidents or general backing ups, which then clogs the juncture, though after clogged it does take more time for the juncture to clear than the road past it.

So there is some logic to get 40 west of here and 44 south of here to four lanes before expanding this junctions capacity. If you mean the expansion that was already done east of the juncture, that seemed like they already needed four at the time of the rebuild, but since was already doing a major rebuild of the crosstown, there was benefits to just adding some extra capacity at the same time.

Looks like another accident, this morning it is eastbound about a mile before the junction, traffic looks bad all the way to Morgan

Apparently two vehicles collided near Portland, blocking the middle lane for a while, it is already starting to improve.

I mean there's no way we're gonna get this lucky, but if we were lucky they'd take a chunk of the infrastructure bill money and rebuild the interchange and do it in 2-3 years.

I am really surprised this interchange hasn’t gotten some attention, even just rebuild of the I-40 bridges. It is a very busy route for the trucking industry. As much as Oklahoma loves to talk about I-40 you would think something would have been done with this over the past 50 years just for that reason. It is totally inadequate.

I am really surprised this interchange hasn’t gotten some attention, even just rebuild of the I-40 bridges. It is a very busy route for the trucking industry. As much as Oklahoma loves to talk about I-40 you would think something would have been done with this over the past 50 years just for that reason. It is totally inadequate.

While around 50 years is around when bridge decks normally need to be replaced at the level of maintenance ODOT does, I want to say they have done at least two sort of interim deck patch/resurfacing most bridge decks would not have (though it seems like they spend more time constructing it, than the resurfacing seems like might have improved the ride across). The piers probably have something closer to 100 year lifespan if they just redeck it, though if they widen it they may replace those at the same time.

I wish they would at least put up instructional signage on the I40W to I44E zipper merge, e.g. "Fill both lanes and take turns at the merge point"

I mean there's no way we're gonna get this lucky, but if we were lucky they'd take a chunk of the infrastructure bill money and rebuild the interchange and do it in 2-3 years.

We will probably see these projects bumped up along with all the I-40 bridge replacements in MWC with the transportation bill. A full interchange replacement for I-44/I-40 doesn't seem to be on ODOTS radar though. At least widening the bridge over I-44 isn't too far away.(In ODOT time anyway)

17030

*Assuming the bill passes anyway.

We will probably see these projects bumped up along with all the I-40 bridge replacements in MWC with the transportation bill. A full interchange replacement for I-44/I-40 doesn't seem to be on ODOTS radar though. At least widening the bridge over I-44 isn't too far away.(In ODOT time anyway)

17030

*Assuming the bill passes anyway.

They should bite the bullet and rebuild the entire intersection with a 4 stack right hand exits only.

That would leave on 1 bottleneck in the entire metro. The I40/35/235 mess

They should bite the bullet and rebuild the entire intersection with a 4 stack right hand exits only.

That would leave on 1 bottleneck in the entire metro. The I40/35/235 mess
From your lips to God’s ears!

They should bite the bullet and rebuild the entire intersection with a 4 stack right hand exits only.

That would leave on 1 bottleneck in the entire metro. The I40/35/235 mess

But keep the SB I-44 to EBI-40 Left Turn for HOV into the city. :)

I-40: Eb & wb bridges over i-44.
Jp# 2895104 ffy 2024 bridge & approaches $ 48,760,000
jp# 2895108 ffy 2029 interchange $ 20,000,000
$ 68,760,000

So am I interpreting this correctly that 2029 is when they plan to start the I-40/I-44 interchange? I doubt with it that far away that they would have any concept plan of what it would look like, right? (Here's hoping for flyover bridges with exits/entrances on the right).

I know funding has to be realistic, but I really wish they could move that up sooner to have all our major highway interchanges upgraded in the next few years. Will make both OKC and Tulsa feel much different in terms of driving when that gets achieved.