When is this project supposed to be complete?

I hope that bridge over that creek isn't bumpy like the big bridge further north on the turnpike.
The camber on the bridge beams was too much and the road bed did not "settle" the beams as much as the engineers calculated. I drove over it last Wednesday, it was bad.

The camber on the bridge beams was too much and the road bed did not "settle" the beams as much as the engineers calculated. I drove over it last Wednesday, it was bad.

That was such an amateur-hour, first-year-engineering student SNAFU, it's embarrassing. Looks like the new bridge might be short enough to withstand a similar mistake happening again (I hope!), but it shouldn't ever happen again, ever.

That was such an amateur-hour, first-year-engineering student SNAFU, it's embarrassing. Looks like the new bridge might be short enough to withstand a similar mistake happening again (I hope!), but it shouldn't ever happen again, ever.

My money is on it having the same problem. Gotta keep it consistent!

That was such an amateur-hour, first-year-engineering student SNAFU, it's embarrassing. Looks like the new bridge might be short enough to withstand a similar mistake happening again (I hope!), but it shouldn't ever happen again, ever.

hey... that bridge is how I know i'm coming up on Yukon if i'm not paying attention. lol

Yep...tells me I'm getting close to my dad's house in Surrey Hills!

I'm no engineer, but the shock load from the weight of all the vehicles crossing between the humps can't be good on the structure. I'm sure there is enough redundancy built in, but it makes me wonder.

Is there much dirt work yet on the Eastern Turnpike?

Is there much dirt work yet on the Eastern Turnpike?

I know the interchange with the Turner Turnpie is well underway. As for the main stretch I do not know.

Below is a view of the new turnpike for neighborhoods that have a turnpike in their backyard. Unfortunately, my neighbors have a mound of permanent dirt and concrete right next to their back yard. The mount of dirt is for the bridge that is going over the road. It is hard to tell from the pictures, but the dirt is higher than the houses. Now those driving by can checkout what bubba is cooking on the bbq. Their backyards used to be private. The turnpike did not turn out well for everyone

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Below is a view of the new turnpike for neighborhoods that have a turnpike in their backyard. Unfortunately, my neighbors have a mound of permanent dirt and concrete right next to their back yard. The mount of dirt is for the bridge that is going over the road. It is hard to tell from the pictures, but the dirt is higher than the houses. Now those driving by can checkout what bubba is cooking on the bbq. Their backyards used to be private. The turnpike did not turn out well for everyone

14719

14720

The noise is going to be terrible.

Is that the neighborhood built dead south of the current exit on 15th? They all knew the score and played the game hoping for a buyout. Didn't happen. Call a waaaaaambulance.

Yes, I agree that the OTA really should have bought the land years ago when "everyone knew" that's where the extension was going to eventually be built. But that's not the situation we're in. But since "everyone knew", those who did buy it knew the risks.

It might not be too noisy. I'd be hoping they put up some of those noise reducing walls like are along other sections of the turnpike.

The neighborhood is on County Line road and SW 47th. The turnpike is going to the south of our neighborhood. This neighborhood has been here since 2006. Long before plans to put a turnpike to the south of it. The area where the turnpike is going in was supposed to be the final phase of the development. A pool was supposed to be put in the final phase because enough houses would have been able to support the cost. There are a bunch of pissed residents who bought houses in the neighborhood with the expectation a pool was going to be in the development.

Like I said. A majority want the turnpike in, but there are those of us who are paying for it in secondary financial ways, loss of privacy, noise, sights, etc.

The neighborhood is on County Line road and SW 47th. The turnpike is going to the south of our neighborhood. This neighborhood has been here since 2006. Long before plans to put a turnpike to the south of it. The area where the turnpike is going in was supposed to be the final phase of the development. A pool was supposed to be put in the final phase because enough houses would have been able to support the cost. There are a bunch of pissed residents who bought houses in the neighborhood with the expectation a pool was going to be in the development.

Like I said. A majority want the turnpike in, but there are those of us who are paying for it in secondary financial ways, loss of privacy, noise, sights, etc.
I thought the turnpike extension was planned for long before 2006? Unfortunately, they let HWY 4 develop and couldn't follow its alignment, even though that was the original plan.

Any high-speed roadway is noisy due to tire friction.

I live about 4 blocks from I-44 and there is zero soundproofing and particularly in the winter when the leaves are off the trees, it can be quite loud outside.

Fortunately, with double-paned windows the noise doesn't really come into the house.

Any high-speed roadway is noisy due to tire friction.

I live about 4 blocks from I-44 and there is zero soundproofing and particularly in the winter when the leaves are off the trees, it can be quite loud outside.

Fortunately, with double-paned windows the noise doesn't really come into the house.

I thought the turnpike extension was planned for long before 2006? Unfortunately, they let HWY 4 develop and couldn't follow its alignment, even though that was the original plan.

It was, but the route that "everyone knew" about was it would continue where it ends now. As for exactly where it would go from there has always been up for debate, but yes, the goal was to merge with SH4 south of 152. So emtefury is correct, the people in THAT neighborhood are having this sprung on them by surprise. As the plan was to follow Sara, the turnpike really shouldn't be anywhere near them. Looking along Sara, it really could still go there, with some minor twists and turns, but some idiot thought building a school there was a good idea, and once it hits 59th would become VERY problematic. So the plans changed to merge with "the new" 152/44th and here we are.

It might not be too noisy. I'd be hoping they put up some of those noise reducing walls like are along other sections of the turnpike.

If any Federal funding or environmental review was involved, they'd have to build sound walls (like I-235), but since it's OTA, and they don't use or accept Federal funding, I think they can skip some of these requirements. I haven't see the plans, so I don't know if they've built walls or not. I think they did add a few along Kilpatrick near Eastern when they widened that to 3 lanes each way.

If the roadway is that high, sound walls aren't going to do any good. The areas referred to above are where walls protect houses that are more or less even height or above the roadway.

If any Federal funding or environmental review was involved, they'd have to build sound walls (like I-235), but since it's OTA, and they don't use or accept Federal funding, I think they can skip some of these requirements. I haven't see the plans, so I don't know if they've built walls or not. I think they did add a few along Kilpatrick near Eastern when they widened that to 3 lanes each way.
OTA does have to follow USDOT guidelines.

Is that for all sections, or just sections that are part of the Interstate network?

I'm going to say this again and again. We need to move to the model that doesn't require toll booths or stopping. Using the state DL and Tag system to send everyone a bill (Texas does this. Why can't we?). It keeps traffic moving, makes the roads safer, and relieves the need for toll booth workers. Money saved could go towards this upgrade to the statewide system!

I'm going to say this again and again. We need to move to the model that doesn't require toll booths or stopping. Using the state DL and Tag system to send everyone a bill (Texas does this. Why can't we?). It keeps traffic moving, makes the roads safer, and relieves the need for toll booth workers. Money saved could go towards this upgrade to the statewide system!
I'd love to see this, as well as moving the ramps off the weird places on the turnpike and put only at the exits or beginnings/ends of the routes (like Kansas).

i'd love to see this, as well as moving the ramps off the weird places on the turnpike and put only at the exits or beginnings/ends of the routes (like kansas).

absolutely!

I'm going to say this again and again. We need to move to the model that doesn't require toll booths or stopping. Using the state DL and Tag system to send everyone a bill (Texas does this. Why can't we?). It keeps traffic moving, makes the roads safer, and relieves the need for toll booth workers. Money saved could go towards this upgrade to the statewide system!

PlatePay is being trialed at an exit or two on the Creek Turnpike. I think if it turns out to be a success they will expand it.

I'm going to say this again and again. We need to move to the model that doesn't require toll booths or stopping. Using the state DL and Tag system to send everyone a bill (Texas does this. Why can't we?). It keeps traffic moving, makes the roads safer, and relieves the need for toll booth workers. Money saved could go towards this upgrade to the statewide system!

Just to be clear, Texas does NOT do this, the Spanish company that controls the toll roads does. And a 50 cent toll becomes $825 pretty damned quick. TXtag/Pikepass or GTFO. No mailing a bill three months later with mail fees, admin fees, pay late fees (on the first bill you ever see), convenience fees, just cause we can fees, and who knows what else. Do we really have the money to handle the multiple lawsuits Texas has had over this exact issue? That's rhetorical, of course we don't.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/2017/06/29/steep-tollway-fees-courts-say-legal

https://www.click2houston.com/news/investigates/harris-county-toll-road-authority-faces-lawsuit-over-fees-charged-to-drivers

I'm going to say this again and again. We need to move to the model that doesn't require toll booths or stopping. Using the state DL and Tag system to send everyone a bill (Texas does this. Why can't we?). It keeps traffic moving, makes the roads safer, and relieves the need for toll booth workers. Money saved could go towards this upgrade to the statewide system!

I believe the articles in Stiles' post say it all.

I paid my Texas bill once I got it 5 months after visiting Texas.

3 months later I got the same bill again, now with late charges, and I called them up to tell them it has been paid already. They told me they couldn’t find my payment, and I told them I have the bank statement showing I paid. They told me they don’t really care, and that their system is right and shows I haven’t paid. I asked them if they wanted me to send my bank statement to them, so they can adjust their records, or if they wanted me to send my statement to an attorney to adjust their records. They then informed me that they will just go ahead and adjust my balance to reflect my payment.

They might still have crappy fees, but at least Pikepass handles my Texas tolls for me now.

I've heard plate pay is coming as well, who knows when.

Would be great if we could get some drone shots of the progression. Especially the I-40 interchange between Harrah rd Luther and Peebly roads. Looks massive

This is a drone video, but is it low and you don’t get an overall look.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10216264269304372&id=1382347433&ref=bookmarks

Here is another drone video of the turnpike near County and SW 44th.

https://www.facebook.com/congadawg/posts/10216333895804991

Here is another drone video of the turnpike near County and SW 44th.

https://www.facebook.com/congadawg/posts/10216333895804991

Such a planning fail to have the turnpike route twisting and turning all over the place and butting up against subdivisions rather than just buying right-of-way along Sara Road years ago.

Such a planning fail to have the turnpike route twisting and turning all over the place and butting up against subdivisions rather than just buying right-of-way along Sara Road years ago.
Yep.

Sara Road bridge over i-40 coming down. Only half left standing today.

Whole bunch of drone shots of the Eastern Oklahoma County Loop: https://www.facebook.com/pg/immersivememories/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2152665715000218

Note: Not my photos.

Whole bunch of drone shots of the Eastern Oklahoma County Loop: https://www.facebook.com/pg/immersivememories/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2152665715000218

Very impressive pics you shared; so this project is believed to be the development road that will complete a wider east loop connection linking the major interstates in Oklahoma City-County.

https://www.ok.gov/odot/images/01-01247-02-121317_I40East_MPR_web.jpg

What kind of timeline is there for the eastern turnpike? It has to be quite a number of years

Such a planning fail to have the turnpike route twisting and turning all over the place and butting up against subdivisions rather than just buying right-of-way along Sara Road years ago.

An East ok County hiway was proposed back in the 60s but ODOT didn't pursue it. Little interest later on and every time it was brought up, the public got loud saying it wasn't needed. I've never seen ODOT buy large-scale right of way for future construction.

What kind of timeline is there for the eastern turnpike? It has to be quite a number of years

I honestly think the 21-mile portion between I-44 and I-40 will be open in about 12-18 months. I've driven out to that part of town recently and it seems like things are moving quickly. As others have previously speculated in this thread, I would not be surprised if OTA announces plans to extend this turnpike down to SH-9 or I-35 shortly after the current portion is completed.

An East ok County hiway was proposed back in the 60s but ODOT didn't pursue it. Little interest later on and every time it was brought up, the public got loud saying it wasn't needed. I've never seen ODOT buy large-scale right of way for future construction.

I know they haven't, I'm just saying that it's something they should consider. Texas has started doing this to a certain extent, with TX-114 west of US-377, Dallas Parkway north of US-380, and the Collin County Outer Loop between US-75 and TX-121 all being examples of roads that will likely be upgraded to limited-access once demand necessitates. It's just rather unfortunate that people living in SW OKC, Luther, and Harrah are having a turnpike sprung on them by surprise. That being said, Texas is still running into the same issue with a proposed US-380 bypass around McKinney.

I know they haven't, I'm just saying that it's something they should consider. Texas has started doing this to a certain extent, with TX-114 west of US-377, Dallas Parkway north of US-380, and the Collin County Outer Loop between US-75 and TX-121 all being examples of roads that will likely be upgraded to limited-access once demand necessitates. It's just rather unfortunate that people living in SW OKC, Luther, and Harrah are having a turnpike sprung on them by surprise. That being said, Texas is still running into the same issue with a proposed US-380 bypass around McKinney.

Oh, l completely agree. I'd love to see that with SH 74 - even making some sort of parkway arc over to l35. I'd love to see it on the NW highway beyond the Kilpatrick to widen it with a median and room for interchanges going out to Okarche. I'd love to see that one some road east of l35 going into eastern OK County. There are many more. Unfortunately, the legislature doesn't tax enough to give the State and ODOT enough for a pot to **** in, much less money to buy right of way for future highways. (By the way, l just drove that Hwy 114 segment north of Ft. Worth).

with budgets the way they've been I don't see ODOT sacrificing projects of today in order to buy land for projects of tomorrow that may or may not materialize.

Is OTA about to fix the humpy bridges between Wilshire and SH 66? Just saw a sign stating construction would start 10/29/18. Looked at OTA's website and this project was in the driving Oklahoma forward portion: https://pikepass.com/pdf/jkt-2344_final%20bid%20plans_2018-08-28%20with%20disclaimer_281_20180829083037.pdf

Bridge Rehabilitation and Widening for $55M....sure hope this fixes it!!

That would be amazing if true. Hopefully they do go ahead and widen it to six lanes as well, but just fixing the bridge would be great!

Tried messaging OTA on Facebook about the project and was subsequently blocked. Can't say I'm surprised, as in the past I've had to message them several times just to get a response. When I finally did receive a response, they acted bothered that I messaged them. I thought about calling or emailing them, but whatever. I never liked how they operated anyways.

They might still have crappy fees, but at least Pikepass handles my Texas tolls for me now.
It handles my Kansas tolls when coming back to OKC. I have them up here and my parents have a Colorado sticker on my account for up here. At one time I had the Pikepass, TxTag (Central Texas) and a NTTA TollTag (DFW). When the TxTag started handling tolls for NTTA and HCTR (Houston) I dropped it. Dropped the TxTag when we closed on the sale of the house in Austin. Had the Pikepass the longest.

Tried messaging OTA on Facebook about the project and was subsequently blocked. Can't say I'm surprised, as in the past I've had to message them several times just to get a response. When I finally did receive a response, they acted bothered that I messaged them. I thought about calling or emailing them, but whatever. I never liked how they operated anyways.

Getting touch with the OTA is nearly impossible. Their website has a phone number where you leave a message and allegedly they will call back in 48 hours. I tried it, but never got a call back. OTA probably has the messages on auto delete.

Typical government

Typical government

I politely emailed OTA this morning and got a response 5 hours later

They are going to be smoothing our these bridges!!!

I'm glad they're going to do those bridges, but I'm curious as to how it's going to be done. Are they going to somehow level the decks by raising and lowering the piers? Tear out all of the old decking and replace it? Either way, I'm glad it's being done. I drive the Kilpatrick Turnpike a lot, and hate driving those bridges.

It says widening-- so my guess is a complete reconstruction. It's at $55 million which seems about right for this project.

But how will I know that I'm almost home?

When I visit my parents in Western Oklahoma I know that when the car starts bouncing, the journey back is almost complete.

Maybe it’s just the fact my car is now 5 years old and I rolled 100k miles, but these bridges seem worse than they used to and there appears to have been more accidents lately based on the tire marks and scuff marks on the sides. But maybe it’s just me paying attention because it’s so bumpy.

I-35 south of I-40 is becoming more and more congested with each passing year seriously slowing traffic at times.
Has there been any serious decisions about extending the Eastern Oklahoma County turnpike south to eastern Norman and to I- 35 somewhere near Noble or Purcell?

I-35 south of I-40 is becoming more and more congested with each passing year seriously slowing traffic at times.
Has there been any serious decisions about extending the Eastern Oklahoma County turnpike south to eastern Norman and to I- 35 somewhere near Noble or Purcell?

I don't believe there has been anything official yet (someone correct me if I'm wrong), but I would not be surprised if OTA tries to do that at some point, because I'm just not sure who has much use for the new turnpike as-is.

I don't believe there has been anything official yet (someone correct me if I'm wrong), but I would not be surprised if OTA tries to do that at some point, because I'm just not sure who has much use for the new turnpike as-is.

It seems like a new turnpike by pass around the eastern side of the OKC metro would divert traffic off the congested I-35 and that it would be very well used and produce good revenues.
If they bumped the speed up to 85 MPH like they have done in parts of Texas it would attract more drivers.

It would also be nice to have revive the Sooner Freeway as a tollway and build a new Tollway in the south part of Moore for an east to west route in that area.

I-35 south of I-40 is becoming more and more congested with each passing year seriously slowing traffic at times.
Has there been any serious decisions about extending the Eastern Oklahoma County turnpike south to eastern Norman and to I- 35 somewhere near Noble or Purcell?

The only OTA proposal I heard about a turnpike connecting with i35 was the original Kirkpatrick Turnpike extension plan considered it extending going south of the airport, turning southeast before the Canadian River and connect with i35 around Flood Ave. Though that plan stalled for a couple decades before it got the current funding to Airport Road, it still mostly follows that section of the plan other than where some housing had been built it now routes around, but who knows if the rest is still something they may want to do in the future.