That is complete BS. Not your statement, but the fact that they are trying to say that. I-35 has room to be 40 lanes if they wanted it to. ODOT just uses cheap lines to make it look like they are doing all they can do.

They try and use these lines also when saying we can't build flyovers because there isn't any room when other cities somehow are able to do it.

Like I said, a good temporary solution would be to remove the left hand shoulder on I-35 from downtown OKC to Norman and paint in an HOV and add a foot or so of cement on the right hand shoulder.

I'm trying to find the article where I saw the quote. IMO, this just highlights the need for a regional rail system or some type of better mass transit.

I'm trying to find the article where I saw the quote. IMO, this just highlights the need for a regional rail system or some type of better mass transit.I'm not trying to say you were lying. I meant that if the leader said that he is full of sh!t.

I do fully agree we need a functional regional mass transit system. We needed it yesterday.

That is complete BS. Not your statement, but the fact that they are trying to say that. I-35 has room to be 40 lanes if they wanted it to. ODOT just uses cheap lines to make it look like they are doing all they can do.

They try and use these lines also when saying we can't build flyovers because there isn't any room when other cities somehow are able to do it.

Like I said, a good temporary solution would be to remove the left hand shoulder on I-35 from downtown OKC to Norman and paint in an HOV and add a foot or so of cement on the right hand shoulder being that the right lane will likely have to be moved over an inch or so. You basically just repaint the lanes to have 3 regular lanes and one HOV lane in each direction at the expense of the left shoulder.

Or they could build up. Stack the highway to 6 lanes each stack. Make one HOV, one a rail shuttle from OKC to Moore to Norman, and the others for regular traffic.

I-35 has room to be 40 lanes if they wanted it to.

I want what you're smoking.

^ All it takes is money. I-44 in Tulsa was just as built up along as I-35, yet they managed to expand it, over like 35 years.

Or they could build up. Stack the highway to 6 lanes each stack. Make one HOV, one a rail shuttle from OKC to Moore to Norman, and the others for regular traffic.

Seriously???? GO look at the cost of the LBJ rebuild, then come back to this forum and see how that cost could be justified on I35.

Seriously???? GO look at the cost of the LBJ rebuild, then come back to this forum and see how that cost could be justified on I35.
It is just as costly as a 40 lane rebuild.

Are we being for real? I never suggest the highway be widened to 40 lanes.

As for the LBJ project, they are about to start on another portion of it. That is a beautiful piece of infrastructure but I do not see a single person saying they should start on that right now for I-35.

HOV lanes will be great for OKC, especially on I35 coming in from Norman - Moore area and the Broadway Extension, heck even I 40 in west OKC will be great for it.

Spending money on HOV lanes for about two hours worth of stop-and-go commuter traffic (7:15-8A and 4:30-5:30) in OKC isn't warranted. Besides it's for vehicles with more than one person, and everywhere I look on my commute most vehicles have one person, just like me. Someplace like Dallas, on the other hand, I was there this past weekend and utilized a dedicated HOV lane from Plano all the way around to I35 on a newly completed toll HOV freeway actually under LBJ freeway -- it was incredibly awesome! But even at 2PM on Saturday, the interstates there were bumper to bumper like our rush hours here. Incredibly warranted there.

Neal McCaleb: Sitting idle no option for Oklahoma's future | News OK (http://newsok.com/neal-mccaleb-sitting-idle-no-option-for-oklahomas-future/article/5473966)

I agree with this.

They are hosting a public meeting to unveil plans for the Eastern Loop. Seems like this is their biggest priority so far in the entire plan and they are really eager to get this going. I am as well. Will be nice to see it under construction and even nicer to have it as an option.

Driving Forward OK (http://www.drivingforwardok.com/#!Oklahoma-Turnpike-Authority-is-Hosting-Feb-18-Public-Meeting-On-Eastern-Oklahoma-County-Turnpike/tgcb1/56afd1120cf2683289332f2e)

Spending money on HOV lanes for about two hours worth of stop-and-go commuter traffic (7:15-8A and 4:30-5:30) in OKC isn't warranted. Besides it's for vehicles with more than one person, and everywhere I look on my commute most vehicles have one person, just like me. Someplace like Dallas, on the other hand, I was there this past weekend and utilized a dedicated HOV lane from Plano all the way around to I35 on a newly completed toll HOV freeway actually under LBJ freeway -- it was incredibly awesome! But even at 2PM on Saturday, the interstates there were bumper to bumper like our rush hours here. Incredibly warranted there.

A lot of HOV lanes are only for certain hours. The rest of the day they are open to all cars.

A lot of HOV lanes are only for certain hours. The rest of the day they are open to all cars.A lot of people don't seem to know that and keep using the regular lanes. Better for people who do know. :)

Spending money on HOV lanes for about two hours worth of stop-and-go commuter traffic (7:15-8A and 4:30-5:30) in OKC isn't warranted. Besides it's for vehicles with more than one person, and everywhere I look on my commute most vehicles have one person, just like me. Someplace like Dallas, on the other hand, I was there this past weekend and utilized a dedicated HOV lane from Plano all the way around to I35 on a newly completed toll HOV freeway actually under LBJ freeway -- it was incredibly awesome! But even at 2PM on Saturday, the interstates there were bumper to bumper like our rush hours here. Incredibly warranted there.

The existence of HOV lanes does also encourage carpooling, which can help to reduce the amount of traffic.

The existence of HOV lanes does also encourage carpooling, which can help to reduce the amount of traffic.

Yeah, isn't that the whole point of HOV lanes? Give people a big incentive to carpool, and they do.

As a daily Kilpatrick Turnpike user, I would like to see some of this bond money spent on a southbound Broadway Extension flyover to eastbound Kilpatrick as well as a northbound Lake Hefner Parkway flyover to westbound Kilpatrick. Right now you to make the first movement you have to (as per the signage on the road!) exit NW 122nd, go through all the stop signs and ramps to get back onto NB Broadway Ext to take the exit ramp to EB Kilpatrick. I know back in the day the traffic counts may not have warranted those ramps, but now surely they do. But over the years I've always thought those were the stupidest deals, not taking care of all necessary traffic movements when building.

They need to completely rebuild the Broadway Ext. Kilpatrick interchange from the ground up building a 5 stack(for future HOV lanes) and one way service roads that go through the interchange as well.

It is insane you have to exit the highway to get on another one here.

It is insane how poorly the interchanges are designed in OKC. Not to mention how many interchanges are just straight up omitted.

It is insane how poorly the interchanges are designed in OKC. Not to mention how many interchanges are just straight up omitted.

Absolutely! If I use the Kilpatrick and am getting off an exit that I haven't used before, I should *never* have to look at a map to see if I can get back on there.

OTA is having a meeting Tuesday, 23 Feb at Mustang Town Center Great Room from 6-8pm. I am guessing this is for the Southwest Extension. I received the notification from the Mustang Chamber of Commerce via email. I have not yet seen any notice of this meeting from OTA's website.

OTA is having a meeting Tuesday, 23 Feb at Mustang Town Center Great Room from 6-8pm. I am guessing this is for the Southwest Extension. I received the notification from the Mustang Chamber of Commerce via email. I have not yet seen any notice of this meeting from OTA's website.Thanks for posting that. I am excited to hear about the possible selected alternatives.

I just wish they'd release the plan. I'm dead nuts in the middle of the proposed route.

I'm pretty sure that they won't be knocking down my house (cheaper to buy land 1/2 mile away than spend a few million on my neighborhood), but it'll still affect me quite a bit I'm sure.

And I'm going to lose neighbors :/

Progress, eh?

I for one am excited to see this get done as it will cut a good 10 minuets or more off of my commute to church and school. It hopefully will bring some retail and restaraunts to an area that doesn't have a ton. There is quite a bit in Yukon but it will be interesting to see the route they take with this and what it brings with it.

They need to completely rebuild the Broadway Ext. Kilpatrick interchange from the ground up building a 5 stack(for future HOV lanes) and one way service roads that go through the interchange as well.

Not enough room to fit that one in. Between the car dealers on he NE quadrant to the BNSF on the west to the Acme Brick pit, it just isn't feasible today. Yes, they should have done it when it was originally built 20 years ago.

Not enough room to fit that one in. Between the car dealers on he NE quadrant to the BNSF on the west to the Acme Brick pit, it just isn't feasible today. Yes, they should have done it when it was originally built 20 years ago.With todays engineering, I'm sure they could find a way. There are also ways to build narrow service roads under the elevator ramps for flyovers if needed(it's more money but it can be done).

Dallas has plenty of high profile junctions with used car lots almost underneath the interchanges so it could work if they wanted it to. According to the cheap standards ODOT and OTA subjects itself to, I'd say it won't happen anytime soon.

If there isn't room to make it a full HOV interchange, that is fine. But look at how compact the 101/110 interchange is. . . we have way more room and possible ROW so I know they can do a four flyovers.

IIRC, just to create an HOV lane, it takes 2-3 lanes to configure; then, there's the personnel needed to monitor those lanes and remove those concrete block barriers daily to adjust to the traffic flow needs used to make the process work for the rush hour--not to mention what happens if someone's vehicle stalled in that lane. The traffic concerns in Dallas is an example of interchange constipation.

Just don't see an immediate need for an HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane in OKC or Tulsa for that matter. Our traffic doesn't mimic the congestion in a mega market like Dallas' I-635 or I-30--where they have traffic concerns throughout a typical Saturday with mammoth congestion throughout the week. Oklahoma City does need to complete a loop around it for future growth and build more of a spoke wheel interchange into its core.

When I lived in DFW Metroplex, the traffic (I-635, I-820, I-35, I-30, I-20) has always been a nightmare. The gasoline exhausted navigating thru traffic was a driveability challenge in more ways than one. Those gas guzzlers were often times seen straddled on the shoulders of the interstates.

There were conversations about this in OKC long before they moved I-40 crosstown 4 blocks south with emphasis on the interchanges that would affect the connectivity of the Amarillo, Dallas & Fort Smith junctions.

The only expressway where we could do that effectively would be the new I-40 crosstown--just don't see the need.

Some background links:

40 Forward: Oklahoma's I-40 Crosstown Expressway (http://www.40forward.com/resources/html_versions/newsletter_vol1_issue2_0796.aspx)

Historic I-40 Crosstown | Abandoned Oklahoma (http://www.abandonedok.com/historic-i-40-crosstown/)

High Priority Corridors @ AARoads: Interstates 29 and 35 (Corridor 23) (http://www.aaroads.com/high-priority/corr23.php)

IIRC, just to create an HOV lane, it takes 2-3 lanes to configure; then, there's the personnel needed to monitor those lanes and remove those concrete block barriers daily to adjust to the traffic flow needs used to make the process work for the rush hour--not to mention what happens if someone's vehicle stalled in that lane. The traffic concerns in Dallas is an example of interchange constipation.

You're thinking of reversible express lanes. None of that is necessary for HOV lanes; they're just an extra lane that is restricted to cars with 2+ passengers. The only extra personnel needed is for law enforcement to pull over solo drivers in the HOV lane. The HOV lane always travels in the same direction so there is no need to move barriers.

You might also be thinking of HOT (high-occupancy toll) lanes. This is a HOV lane that also has toll-collection facilities, so that those who would not otherwise be allowed in the lane can access it by paying a toll. Usually this is done with something like Pikepass so the only extra personnel are people handling the billing (which in Oklahoma's case would be someone already at OTA).

Not that OKC is at a point in its growth that we need HOV lanes yet.

IIRC, just to create an HOV lane, it takes 2-3 lanes to configure; then, there's the personnel needed to monitor those lanes and remove those concrete block barriers daily to adjust to the traffic flow needs used to make the process work for the rush hour--not to mention what happens if someone's vehicle stalled in that lane. The traffic concerns in Dallas is an example of interchange constipation.
wrong. I'm not talking about the overly complex single reverse HOV lanes that you see in Dallas. I am talking about regular HOV lanes on each side of the highway. In a lot of cases for the short term, they don't even require a lane to be removed, you can re-stripe the left shoulder to make an HOV lane. That's it. No new personal needed either. Implement a new law regarding the HOV lanes and have the current police officers enforce it. Simple.

Let me make this clear as well, I am not talking about going crazy with HOV lanes around OKC. The first HOV lanes and the only ones I want to see for awhile would be on I-35 south to Norman. Outside of rush hour, it would become a regular lane.

wrong. I'm not talking about the overly complex single reverse HOV lanes that you see in Dallas. I am talking about regular HOV lanes on each side of the highway. In a lot of cases for the short term, they don't even require a lane to be removed, you can re-stripe the left shoulder to make an HOV lane. That's it. No new personal needed either. Implement a new law regarding the HOV lanes and have the current police officers enforce it. Simple.

Let me make this clear as well, I am talking about going crazy with HOV lanes around OKC. The first HOV lanes and the only ones I want to see for awhile would be on I-35 south to Norman. Outside of rush hour, it would become a regular lane.

Correct. Here is the HOV lane on I-5 in Portland.

https://i.gyazo.com/36337455ed10275eab58115487747097.jpg

It is only restricted to 2+ occupants Monday thru Friday 3pm-6pm

I think the southbound lane to downtown is M-F 5-8am.

Correct. Here is the HOV lane on I-5 in Portland.

https://i.gyazo.com/36337455ed10275eab58115487747097.jpg

It is only restricted to 2+ occupants Monday thru Friday 3pm-6pm

I think the southbound lane to downtown is M-F 5-8am.

http://www.clipartbest.com/cliparts/7ca/KzA/7caKzA6oi.jpeg Okay, Thanks catch22--I get it...

http://images1.dallasobserver.com/imager/u/original/7106236/hovlane.jpg
Couldn't erase the memories of Driving I-30 (HOV) from Fort Worth to exit onto Dallas Ferguson Road.

With todays engineering, I'm sure they could find a way. There are also ways to build narrow service roads under the elevator ramps for flyovers if needed(it's more money but it can be done).


I believe you may be right:
http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/sat/notices/020916-presentation.pdf

Now if we can come up with the $500 million+........

I believe you may be right:
http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/sat/notices/020916-presentation.pdf

Now if we can come up with the $500 million+........lol... hell though, if any interchange deserves to have 500 mill spent on it, it's the I44/I40 near the fairgrounds. Even with the left hand exits, I don't think it was a horrible interchange for its day, but it really needs to go now.

But I don't think the 500 million is for the interchange only. *EDIT* I just now noticed the 500 million is for the interchange only. Wasn't the High Five in Dallas built for just shy of 250 mill? Have construction and material cost gone up that much?

I am intrigued by the continuous flow intersection. This is the first I've heard of them. I'm curious if they work well or not.

But I don't think the 500 million is for the interchange only. *EDIT* I just now noticed the 500 million is for the interchange only. Wasn't the High Five in Dallas built for just shy of 250 mill? Have construction and material cost gone up that much?

Yes, construction costs have gone up, far above inflation rates. The overall costs of building infrastructure have gone up too, since it can be expected that pretty much any large project will run into some sort of legal challenge by either environmentalists or someone who lives nearby and just doesn't like the project, so the engineers have to be extremely careful to design things in such a way as to withstand such challenges. In terms of the environment, you can do mitigation (for every X trees cut down you plant X+Y trees), and to ward off unhappy locals you can do beautification efforts (designs on bridges, landscaping, etc.).

lol... hell though, if any interchange deserves to have 500 mill spent on it, it's the I44/I40 near the fairgrounds. Even with the left hand exits, I don't think it was a horrible interchange for its day, but it really needs to go now.

But I don't think the 500 million is for the interchange only. *EDIT* I just now noticed the 500 million is for the interchange only. Wasn't the High Five in Dallas built for just shy of 250 mill? Have construction and material cost gone up that much?

I am intrigued by the continuous flow intersection. This is the first I've heard of them. I'm curious if they work well or not.

A few years back my friend bid on a $1B interchange in the DFW area. Although it was going to include a couple of "iconic" bridges. I can't recall which interchange it was right now, though.

A few years back my friend bid on a $1B interchange in the DFW area. Although it was going to include a couple of "iconic" bridges. I can't recall which interchange it was right now, though.

Perhaps you're thinking of the Horse Shoe Project near Downtown Dallas. That is the only thing I could think of related to iconic bridges. They have the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge which has been completed and is beautiful and they are building another massive one connect to 12+ lane highway that is going to be incredible once completed. I'm so excited I'll probably make it a point to drive there once the whole thing is finished.

This was originally supposed to be part of a massive project called Project Pegasus(Project Pegasus Web Site (http://www.projectpegasus.org)) but was recently scaled down due to high costs and some opposition however I believe the opposition has fizzled off and Texas is proposing a new billion plus dollar congestion relief program which might bring back the original intent of Project Pegasus. Hopefully it happens.

Just a reminder - the meeting for the Eastern County Turnpike is scheduled for Thursday.


OTA Eastern Oklahoma County Public Meeting
Thursday, February 18, 2016
6 to 8 p.m.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center
Seminar Center
4601 N. Choctaw Road
Choctaw

- Driving Forward OK (http://www.drivingforwardok.com/#!Oklahoma-Turnpike-Authority-is-Hosting-Feb-18-Public-Meeting-On-Eastern-Oklahoma-County-Turnpike/tgcb1/56afd1120cf2683289332f2e)

Just a reminder - the meeting for the Eastern County Turnpike is scheduled for Thursday.

I drove around Jones this weekend and saw a ton of signs against the turnpike. I also can't believe they think that area has more important infrastructure needs than the South I-35 area.

I drove around Jones this weekend and saw a ton of signs against the turnpike. I also can't believe they think that area has more important infrastructure needs than the South I-35 area.I think this highway should be built. It could serve as a great asset for Tinker and Eastern Oklahoma County and help grow the aerospace sector even more.

I don't want to sound snobby or elitist, but Eastern Oklahoma County has a lot to improve on. I don't understand how new infrastructure can be a bad thing. I don't have much sympathy for people out there due to the fact they are less than 30 miles from the core of a large metro area. New highways and roads will bring jobs, growth, and new money for Oklahoma City. The best thing about this is it won't cost tax payers a dime.

Any new utility costs will be associated with new businesses and housing that will result from this. The spraw that might result from this will only contribute to more infill closer to the core as developers take note of the growing metro.

I do agree that the southwest has huge infrastructure needs and a loop around Norman would be great as well as creating a true beltway for Oklahoma City. What I want to see is ROW preserved because I think there is going to be need for new spur between I-35 and I-44 someday between I240 and Canadian River. The way to do this is how Texas does it. Build a four lane parkway with a giant ass median and when the time calls for it, turn it into a highway with service roads.

Overall, I do agree that there are big infrastructure needs for the southwest and the south metro in general, but I do also agree that the Eastern Turnpike was needed. It was noted for years that this was under consideration. No one wants their house torn down for a rail or highway project, but I am willing to bet this has traffic counts north of 15,000 within the first 3-5 years it is open. Eventually it will be a vital asset for Eastern Oklahoma County and the surrounding communities that will ultimately benefit by having this tollway to allow for easier commute by car from the suburbs to downtown OKC.

This will help the metro over all, imo.

An interesting comment at the recent meeting in Choctaw.

Oklahoma transportation secretary admits agency missteps in turnpike plan near Choctaw | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/transportation-secretary-admits-agency-missteps-in-turnpike-plan-near-choctaw/article/5479818)


After publicly apologizing once the meeting began, Ridley wasted little time telling the crowd that a new turnpike is coming to the area — one way or the other — because the Oklahoma City metro area desperately needs another north-south thoroughfare to ease the traffic load of Interstate 35. He said traffic accidents and fatalities in other parts of the metro area will decrease when, not if, the so-called Northeast Oklahoma County Loop is constructed.

In other words your best option is to give us input about how this is done, not if it is done.

Great way to begin to assuage peoples fears/comcerns, We screwed up, apologize, need your help. Move forward with this needed highway

An interesting comment at the recent meeting in Choctaw.

Oklahoma transportation secretary admits agency missteps in turnpike plan near Choctaw | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/transportation-secretary-admits-agency-missteps-in-turnpike-plan-near-choctaw/article/5479818)



In other words your best option is to give us input about how this is done, not if it is done.

This is so much of the problem in my eyes. Gary Ridley is an idiot. Because he says we need the loop, we're going to get the loop? I've said this before, but there are so many other things that would actually be useful for the turnpike system, but we don't see any of that happening. Just needless expansion out in the boonies. It's just idiocy.

I think just by the number of people that showed up and were turned away, this should prove that most people think this part of the expansion plans is 100% unnecessary.

This is so much of the problem in my eyes. Gary Ridley is an idiot. Because he says we need the loop, we're going to get the loop? I've said this before, but there are so many other things that would actually be useful for the turnpike system, but we don't see any of that happening. Just needless expansion out in the boonies. It's just idiocy.

I actually had a chance to speak with Ridley at an unrelated event yesterday, and to just call people an idiot because you don't agree with the facts they've presented is short sighted, but hey, internet so do what you want right?

What do you see as needed for OTA? Do you understand why this route was proposed? Just the slightest bit of relief for the Dallas/Ft Smith Junction that would come from this expansion would be worth it because that's not getting any better.

Of all the proposals though, the one for the Will Rogers from the Creek TP exist to Bristow is nice, it's basically going to be a copy of what the new Kilpatrick section is like now for that 26 or so miles.

I think just by the number of people that showed up and were turned away, this should prove that most people think this part of the expansion plans is 100% unnecessary.

No they just don't want a new turnpike through their land, and that's their right and I don't necessarily blame them. Not sure how I'd feel if I lived out there.

Ok. Let's build it then. Save me ten minutes on my drive from dfw to tulsa.

Oklahoma City metro area definitely needs to tie its interstate system where its loops around the city. This will benefit eastern Oklahoma County where you could see a future boom in development with the inexpensive parcels of land in that area.

Ok. Let's build it then. Save me ten minutes on my drive from dfw to tulsa.

I don't even think it's about saving time for driver's whose destination is NOT Oklahoma City, it's about freeing up capacity for local drivers (I think...).

I think this highway should be built. It could serve as a great asset for Tinker and Eastern Oklahoma County and help grow the aerospace sector even more.

I don't want to sound snobby or elitist, but Eastern Oklahoma County has a lot to improve on. I don't understand how new infrastructure can be a bad thing. I don't have much sympathy for people out there due to the fact they are less than 30 miles from the core of a large metro area. New highways and roads will bring jobs, growth, and new money for Oklahoma City. The best thing about this is it won't cost tax payers a dime.

Any new utility costs will be associated with new businesses and housing that will result from this. The spraw that might result from this will only contribute to more infill closer to the core as developers take note of the growing metro.

I do agree that the southwest has huge infrastructure needs and a loop around Norman would be great as well as creating a true beltway for Oklahoma City. What I want to see is ROW preserved because I think there is going to be need for new spur between I-35 and I-44 someday between I240 and Canadian River. The way to do this is how Texas does it. Build a four lane parkway with a giant ass median and when the time calls for it, turn it into a highway with service roads.

Overall, I do agree that there are big infrastructure needs for the southwest and the south metro in general, but I do also agree that the Eastern Turnpike was needed. It was noted for years that this was under consideration. No one wants their house torn down for a rail or highway project, but I am willing to bet this has traffic counts north of 15,000 within the first 3-5 years it is open. Eventually it will be a vital asset for Eastern Oklahoma County and the surrounding communities that will ultimately benefit by having this tollway to allow for easier commute by car from the suburbs to downtown OKC.

This will help the metro over all, imo.

I couldn't disagree more. There's a lot of rural area out there and some of the most untouched land in left in Oklahoma County.. By it's very nature, there's not a lot of infrastructure. And the folks out there like it that way. I lived in eastern Okla county for 10 years. Had personal circumstances not required me to move back in to town, I would still be living out there.

Why do people who don't live out there, and have little or nothing to do with that part of the county or anyone who lives there, think they know what's best for those who live out there?. Folks who live out there, or move out there do so because they want rural living. They don't want the "big city" out there. There's been talk of this loop for years, and we had a pretty good idea back then where the general route would be. Most folks didn't want it then, and they don't want it now.

I actually had a chance to speak with Ridley at an unrelated event yesterday, and to just call people an idiot because you don't agree with the facts they've presented is short sighted, but hey, internet so do what you want right?

What do you see as needed for OTA? Do you understand why this route was proposed? Just the slightest bit of relief for the Dallas/Ft Smith Junction that would come from this expansion would be worth it because that's not getting any better.

Of all the proposals though, the one for the Will Rogers from the Creek TP exist to Bristow is nice, it's basically going to be a copy of what the new Kilpatrick section is like now for that 26 or so miles.

Yep, internet - the same place you get to make your assumptions. I've had the misfortune of interacting with Gary on multiple occasions and the man is an idiot. Not to mention he used to be an asphalt lobbyist before being named the head of ODOT. And I've given numerous examples of other projects that would make more of a difference than this unnecessary expansion. Relief for the Dallas-Ft. Smith junction could have come from better design, not from an entirely new turnpike miles to the east.

Yep, internet - the same place you get to make your assumptions. I've had the misfortune of interacting with Gary on multiple occasions and the man is an idiot. Not to mention he used to be an asphalt lobbyist before being named the head of ODOT. And I've given numerous examples of other projects that would make more of a difference than this unnecessary expansion. Relief for the Dallas-Ft. Smith junction could have come from better design, not from an entirely new turnpike miles to the east.

In this thread, so I can limit my search since you can't be troubled to repeat your better ideas?

I will say screw asphalt though, hate that crap.

In this thread, so I can limit my search since you can't be troubled to repeat your better ideas?

I will say screw asphalt though, hate that crap.

I'll recap a few that I see as more helpful more than the Eastern loop here in a bit.

We found common ground! Asphalt blows.

I'll recap a few that I see as more helpful more than the Eastern loop here in a bit.

We found common ground! Asphalt blows.

I don't mean to be brash.

In Houston where I'm from, it's all concrete and for the most part, it's great (fewer potholes but more bumps). In Arizona where I was for a while, more asphalt, but without the wild weather hardly any potholes and super smooth asphalt roads.

Maybe Oklahoma just sucks for road building in general.

If there is no future plans to expand it to the north and south to tie into I-35 then this turnpike is dumb.

As for saving time driving from Dallas to Tulsa, use 75 and it will save you a whole bunch of time.

If there is no future plans to expand it to the north and south to tie into I-35 then this turnpike is dumb.

That was mentioned in the presentation I saw, but way down the line obviously

I couldn't disagree more. There's a lot of rural area out there and some of the most untouched land in left in Oklahoma County.. By it's very nature, there's not a lot of infrastructure. And the folks out there like it that way. I lived in eastern Okla county for 10 years. Had personal circumstances not required me to move back in to town, I would still be living out there.

Why do people who don't live out there, and have little or nothing to do with that part of the county or anyone who lives there, think they know what's best for those who live out there?. Folks who live out there, or move out there do so because they want rural living. They don't want the "big city" out there. There's been talk of this loop for years, and we had a pretty good idea back then where the general route would be. Most folks didn't want it then, and they don't want it now.If you want the country life, then it is probably a good idea to live further away than 30 miles from the core a major city.

^You're kidding right? 30 miles?

^You're kidding right? 30 miles?I am being serious. 30 miles isn't that far. A lot of metros start out at about that.

It is a good thing this tollway is being built. I bet many of the people that bitched about it will use it and get used to it.

I fail to see how a highway in that corridor will alleviate I-35 traffic. It would be one thing if it started as a branch directly off of I35 and looped all the way around the city and connected back with I35. But to connect I40 and I44 -- that far out, I just fail to see why. I would be mad if I lived over in eastern Okla county. There's a certain way of life folks look for when they move out there. They like the country living yet so close to civilization. That part of the county is unique in that respect. It's their neighborhood so I would let them decide if they wanted it. Now I would have a different take if I believed that it would serve the greater good in being a loop as I previously described.

I fail to see how a highway in that corridor will alleviate I-35 traffic. It would be one thing if it started as a branch directly off of I35 and looped all the way around the city and connected back with I35. But to connect I40 and I44 -- that far out, I just fail to see why. I would be mad if I lived over in eastern Okla county. There's a certain way of life folks look for when they move out there. They like the country living yet so close to civilization. That part of the county is unique in that respect. It's their neighborhood so I would let them decide if they wanted it. Now I would have a different take if I believed that it would serve the greater good in being a loop as I previously described.I do believe it will eventually connect to a true beltway around OKC. I don't know how it couldn't.

I will say this- I don't like the way they handled the seminar. It wasn't very professional and they knew from the beginning that these people would throw a fit and they still screwed some things up. I like how they are proceeding with this and I do agree the best way for the people affected to have their input. This is getting built.

My concern about that corridor is the exact "future boom in development" that others in this thread are seeing as a positive. If it ends up as yet another highway surrounded by service roads, a few big box stores, and suburban development, that's going to do nothing but spread the city's maintenance costs ever more thinly.