Well they really havent DONE anything yet. So at least we're not left on temporary roads or something while the legislature figures out how to stop being stupid.

Really with they would have managed to get the 240E to 35S part done to help with that mess though.

Specifically, according to https://www.ok.gov/odot/Crossroads_Renewal_240.html, ODOT has asked the contractor not to start work on Phase 1A (the I-240 E to I-35 S ramp and access road improvements). Phase 1 (Ramps to Santa Fe Ave. and mainline reconstruction between Santa Fe Ave and just east of Shields Blvd) has not been halted and work should be complete by "early summer 2017".

Electronic signage is now up on eastbound I-240 in S. OKc indicating that work on the i-35 interchange ramps will be starting on June 19th.

I haven't seen any signs for this in the last week ive been up/down 240. Where are they posted?

Saw one the other day heading south on I-35 just before the 240 off ramp.

They are in the east bound side before May and Western. The cones and speed limit signs are getting prepped. You can't miss it now.

They must have added some just about the time i posted because then i started seeing them all over the dang place.


I'm crossing my fingers the "left 2 lanes closed" thing is a night thing and that they dont do the same stupid crap again like they did with the west bound side. They SHOULD focus on keeping the through lanes open and route the ramps accordingly, not the other way around!!!!!

They must have added some just about the time i posted because then i started seeing them all over the dang place.


I'm crossing my fingers the "left 2 lanes closed" thing is a night thing and that they dont do the same stupid crap again like they did with the west bound side. They SHOULD focus on keeping the through lanes open and route the ramps accordingly, not the other way around!!!!!

I believe they were discussing on Ch 9 this morning that the lane outages are supposed to start at 6pm each night and reopen by the next morning. At least for now.

Does anyone know, exactly, what they will be doing? I guess I've got too much concrete between the ears, because I see the cones up along the service road, and I know some new lanes are going into I-35, but I still can't yet visualize exactly what they're going to do or how it will tie into what they just finished on 240. Heck, I even tried studying the rendering/drawing and can't figure it out.

...The cones and speed limit signs are getting prepped...

I don't know why they even bother with the speed limit signs. Nobody follows them. During the last 240 construction I slowed down only to have someone almost run me off the road, so I just started ignoring them like everyone else.

I believe they were discussing on Ch 9 this morning that the lane outages are supposed to start at 6pm each night and reopen by the next morning. At least for now.

Does anyone know, exactly, what they will be doing? I guess I've got too much concrete between the ears, because I see the cones up along the service road, and I know some new lanes are going into I-35, but I still can't yet visualize exactly what they're going to do or how it will tie into what they just finished on 240. Heck, I even tried studying the rendering/drawing and can't figure it out.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4285/35020170300_f3ebcfb9e8_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VmBwxE)I35_I240_plan_map (https://flic.kr/p/VmBwxE) by
lazio85 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4285/35020170300_f3ebcfb9e8_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VmBwxE)I35_I240_plan_map (https://flic.kr/p/VmBwxE) by
lazio85 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/), on Flickr

Thanks, but I've seen that, I and I guess I overstated my question when I said "what are they doing." I have been generally familiar with (and a huge advocate of) the overall rebuild, but my question dealt specifically with the current/new project. I'm not seeing how the service road work between Santa Fe and curving to the south will integrate (if at all?) with the work just completed along I-240....or am I to understand that map indicates the current EB on-ramp to I-240 just east of Shields (which I loathe) is going away, and traffic wanting to get to I-35 from Shields will do so via a new ramp along the service road that is getting ready to be built?

Sorry to be dense...

^ If I'm understanding your question correctly, it looks like the new curve of 240 and the service road will be directly east of what was just completed on 240.

^ If I'm understanding your question correctly, it looks like the new curve of 240 and the service road will be directly east of what was just completed on 240.

Right, but I think that's a much later phase (slight I-240 shift) that isn't happening for several years now (sadly). I'm just trying to understand how the work they've started today will tie in, if at all, to the work they just finished.

Thanks, but I've seen that, I and I guess I overstated my question when I said "what are they doing." I have been generally familiar with (and a huge advocate of) the overall rebuild, but my question dealt specifically with the current/new project. I'm not seeing how the service road work between Santa Fe and curving to the south will integrate (if at all?) with the work just completed along I-240....or am I to understand that map indicates the current EB on-ramp to I-240 just east of Shields (which I loathe) is going away, and traffic wanting to get to I-35 from Shields will do so via a new ramp along the service road that is getting ready to be built?

Sorry to be dense...

Phase 1A - starting construction today - will reconstruct the service road in the SW quadrant of this intersection, from S Shields Blvd to SE 82nd St, as well as the southbound on-ramp from I-240 E to I-35 S, and a partial segment of the new alignment of the eastbound lanes of I-240. The partial segment of the new eastbound alignment of I-240 will consist of one outer lane as well as an exit lane that extends from the eastern extent of the Phase 1 construction to where the new southbound on-ramp starts, roughly where the creek passes under I-240 directly west of I-35. This phase will also delete the existing and dangerous I-240 E on-ramp from Shields, and the direct off-ramp from I-35 S to SW 82nd St. The newly constructed service road will only have access to I-35 S via the on-ramp south of SE 89th St.

So basically the service road will not directly interact with the recently completed construction on Phase 1; however, the new southbound I-35 on-ramp from I-240 directly interacts with the new pavement from Phase 1.

Are there any incentives to the contractor for getting this interchange done ahead of schedule? Although with the complexity of the re-build, I guess it would be wise not to rush any phase of the project. I'm wondering how long it takes Texas to buid something like this, noting how all the stacks in Dallas and Houston (now Austin as well) have popped up like crazy.

Phase 1A - starting construction today - will reconstruct the service road in the SW quadrant of this intersection, from S Shields Blvd to SE 82nd St, as well as the southbound on-ramp from I-240 E to I-35 S, and a partial segment of the new alignment of the eastbound lanes of I-240. The partial segment of the new eastbound alignment of I-240 will consist of one outer lane as well as an exit lane that extends from the eastern extent of the Phase 1 construction to where the new southbound on-ramp starts, roughly where the creek passes under I-240 directly west of I-35. This phase will also delete the existing and dangerous I-240 E on-ramp from Shields, and the direct on-ramp from I-35 S to SW 82nd St. The newly constructed service road will only have access to I-35 S via the on-ramp south of SE 89th St.

So basically the service road will not directly interact with the recently completed construction on Phase 1; however, the new southbound I-35 on-ramp from I-240 directly interacts with the new pavement from Phase 1.

Perfect. That's what I needed. Thanks. DEEE-LIGHTED to see that on-ramp to EB I-240 from Shields to finally get the heave-ho. Always contended that was the proximate cause of most of the wrecks in this entire interchange. Bet that little bit of demo work would get a standing ovation :)

Are there any incentives to the contractor for getting this interchange done ahead of schedule? Although with the complexity of the re-build, I guess it would be wise not to rush any phase of the project. I'm wondering how long it takes Texas to buid something like this, noting how all the stacks in Dallas and Houston (now Austin as well) have popped up like crazy.

Typically, road construction contracts issued by ODOT include both an early completion bonus as well as late completion penalties. I'm quite sure that this project is no different. It's important to remember, however, that as funding for ODOT is limited, projects like this are contracted out in phases, often to different contractors... and as a result, these bonuses and penalties are assessed per phase, not for the overall project.


Perfect. That's what I needed. Thanks. DEEE-LIGHTED to see that on-ramp to EB I-240 from Shields to finally get the heave-ho. Always contended that was the proximate cause of most of the wrecks in this entire interchange. Bet that little bit of demo work would get a standing ovation :)

Same here, and you're absolutely correct - the way traffic has to weave back and forth not only there, but also entering and exiting the cloverleaves, is the primary cause of wrecks here, and a big reason why the new interchange is designed the way it is, with dedicated merge lanes for traffic instead of the current setup.

I still find it odd that they didn't fiyover the Shields exit to connect with ramps C&E.

I still find it odd that they didn't fiyover the Shields exit to connect with ramps C&E.Yes I agree. OkDOT being cheap. This project is most certainly not complex as this should have been a four stack.

Heck, Santa fe could have been attached to Shields to make that SB I-35 queue even more safer.

Just posted by the OKDOT Twitter: https://twitter.com/OKDOT/status/876915034420649993


OKC- I-230 construction begins tonight. Shields Blvd. on-ramp closes Tuesday; use on-ramp at Santa Fe Ave: http://ow.ly/snjU30cEDbO

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCttkqIUIAAqtv1.jpg

I feel like the plan on most of this is pretty well thought out, but im crossing my fingers that when it comes time to do the bridge work over 35, that they dont try to cut down the number of lanes....or are they even rebuilding those bridges?

I feel like the plan on most of this is pretty well thought out, but im crossing my fingers that when it comes time to do the bridge work over 35, that they dont try to cut down the number of lanes....or are they even rebuilding those bridges?

I'm not sure how many lanes are planned but I do know that the interchange is a total rebuild. New bridges will be built immediately south of the existing bridges so that I-240 crosses I-35 perfectly square, instead of at an angle like it is now. If the Corridor Simulation video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgYQs4-c0mk) that ODOT posted to YouTube is accurate, it appears that there will be 3 through lanes across the bridge in each direction; the eastbound bridge will also include a turning lane for the Eastbound I-240 to Northbound I-35 loop. Westbound will have two bridges - one for the 3 through lanes, and a second for the combination Northbound I-35/Southbound I-35/Shields Blvd exit that will be two lanes wide when it crosses I-35.

I'm not sure how many lanes are planned but I do know that the interchange is a total rebuild. New bridges will be built immediately south of the existing bridges so that I-240 crosses I-35 perfectly square, instead of at an angle like it is now. If the Corridor Simulation video that ODOT posted to YouTube is accurate, it appears that there will be 3 through lanes across the bridge in each direction; the eastbound bridge will also include a turning lane for the Eastbound I-240 to Northbound I-35 loop. Westbound will have two bridges - one for the 3 through lanes, and a second for the combination Northbound I-35/Southbound I-35/Shields Blvd exit that will be two lanes wide when it crosses I-35.

That looks about right to me. I just hate that the next round of construction is three years away :(

You and me both; ODOT's page on the project tries to claim that the construction will "continue nonstop until estimated completion in 2023", but the current phase is only expected to take a year to complete - and then the next phase won't begin construction until FY 2020 - but that's more service road work. The actual main interchange won't begin work until FY 2021.

Well if they are shifting it, then at least HOPEFULLY that means they will be able to open the new bridge and move traffic, and not try to squeeze it all onto one bridge with one lane each way....shudder.

Long and painful, but worth it in the end.

Looking more carefully at the graphics that ODOT has published... I think I'm wrong, actually. The new bridges will mostly be in the same location as the existing bridges. The difference is the old bridges currently cross I-35 at an angle; this will be changed so that I-240 is perfectly perpendicular to I-35 as they cross each other. What this means is the west abutment of the eastbound bridge will be immediately south of the existing bridge, but the east abutment will be in the same place (more or less) than the current bridge. This, unfortunately, will most likely result in two-way traffic being squeezed onto the westbound bridge.

Dirt work is moving quite quickly on the current phase of the project. Wish I had a drone to get an aerial picture of the progress - but it's pretty clear they are pushing hard to get the new SW corner service road alignment completed as soon as possible to clear room for the new ramp alignment.

The on ramp from I240 east to I35 south is now open. The old ramp is shut down. There is still plenty of construction going on.

Is the traffic flow better now that it is on the new ramp compared to pre-construction? I tried to avoid it at all costs if it is an option.

Is the traffic flow better now that it is on the new ramp compared to pre-construction? I tried to avoid it at all costs if it is an option.

So far, yes. The closure of the Shields entrance and double-laning of that i35 ramp should work a small wonder while we go back to waiting for the rest of the rebuild sometime in 2136...#sarcasm

Yes the flow is better.

So far, yes. The closure of the Shields entrance and double-laning of that i35 ramp should work a small wonder while we go back to waiting for the rest of the rebuild sometime in 2136...#sarcasm

2036 wouldn't be far from the truth.

New letting schedule for this project

Phase IB: November 2020
Phase IV: November 2020
Phase II: November 2022
Phase III: FFY 2025

New letting schedule for this project

Phase IB: November 2020
Phase IV: November 2020
Phase II: November 2022
Phase III: FFY 2025

I've been wondering when they were going to resume this. I hate getting on 35 north from 240. It can be dangerous at certain times of day.

New letting schedule for this project

Phase IB: November 2020
Phase IV: November 2020
Phase II: November 2022
Phase III: FFY 2025
So realistically this interchange won’t be finished until 2027. What a joke.

So realistically this interchange won’t be finished until 2027. What a joke.

Oklahoma only has so much money to spend. And it is far less than most states.

Oklahoma only has so much money to spend. And it is far less than most states.
Oklahoma needs to raise its taxes a bit to better fund itself.

Oklahoma only has so much money to spend. And it is far less than most states.

Actually if they sold a bond to fund it we could do it in 2 years, and the interest on the bond would be less than the inflation we get hit with by waiting 10 years to do it all.

Actually if they sold a bond to fund it we could do it in 2 years, and the interest on the bond would be less than the inflation we get hit with by waiting 10 years to do it all.

Yep, same thing's been said on here for years, no clue why OK can't figure this out, not all debt is bad.

Aren't we limited by what the state constitution lets ODOT do? We'd have to pass a state question to adjust that, and there apparently just hasn't been any political interest in pushing for one.

This is why i 'd like to see a 5-10c gas tax. It may need to go up as cars get more fuel efficient, but for now the more you use, the more you pay. That could go a long way to helping inject some much needed cash into the ODOT projects and keep them as toll-free projects.

I'd like to see all of the interstates turned into toll roads where a user pays for what they drive - hopefully the tolls would sustain them and this would free up other funding to be used for roads elsewhere in the state.

Actually if they sold a bond to fund it we could do it in 2 years, and the interest on the bond would be less than the inflation we get hit with by waiting 10 years to do it all.

I, too, have been saying this for years. It's completely crazy that a project which could take 3 years max takes 10+ years to finish. If they would have sold bonds for say the I-235/I-44 interchange it would have been completed 6 years ago and cost less even with the interest on the bonds. I think a happy medium would be that only projects over $50 million are allowed to sell bonds.

New letting schedule for this project

Phase IB: November 2020
Phase IV: November 2020
Phase II: November 2022
Phase III: FFY 2025

Has ODOT changed the construction phases for this project? If not, this schedule seems suspect. Phase IV was the westbound lanes of I-240 across I-35; this phase can't be constructed before phases II and III are complete as those two phases realign the eastbound lanes of I-240 out of the way of the new westbound lanes.

For what it's worth, the most recent sequencing document from ODOT's website (https://www.ok.gov/odot/images/JP%2009032%20CROSSROADS%20INTERCHANGE%20OVERVIEW%2 0MAP%2010-25-18_.jpg), updated October 25, 2018, show all four remaining phases pushed out to FY2021. ODOT's webpage for this project is here: https://www.ok.gov/odot/Crossroads_Renewal_240.html

I'd like to see all of the interstates turned into toll roads where a user pays for what they drive - hopefully the tolls would sustain them and this would free up other funding to be used for roads elsewhere in the state.

We do that already, it's called taxes. We shouldn't have toll roads at all. We're already paying for them. We've been sold a load of crap for 50 years about how roads would go back to the state after they were paid for. And yet, here we are. The Turner is still toll.....

We do that already, it's called taxes. We shouldn't have toll roads at all. We're already paying for them. We've been sold a load of crap for 50 years about how roads would go back to the state after they were paid for. And yet, here we are. The Turner is still toll.....+1000!

Not to mention the car has the highest capital costs for its users.

We do that already, it's called taxes. We shouldn't have toll roads at all. We're already paying for them. We've been sold a load of crap for 50 years about how roads would go back to the state after they were paid for. And yet, here we are. The Turner is still toll.....

that was changed in the 50's

We do that already, it's called taxes. We shouldn't have toll roads at all. We're already paying for them. We've been sold a load of crap for 50 years about how roads would go back to the state after they were paid for. And yet, here we are. The Turner is still toll.....
And they're not keeping up. If we're going to have interstate highways, they need to be tolled. The taxes can pay for local roads. Otherwise, we need to modify interstate travel to either air or train.

Regarding 8 year plan. I noticed a new I40 bridge over I44 got bumped up significantly on the timeline. Maybe part of the reason some of the other projects moved back.

Regarding 8 year plan. I noticed a new I40 bridge over I44 got bumped up significantly on the timeline. Maybe part of the reason some of the other projects moved back.

It would make a huge impact in that eastbound traffic jam every day. Small project with a huge win.

Regarding 8 year plan. I noticed a new I40 bridge over I44 got bumped up significantly on the timeline. Maybe part of the reason some of the other projects moved back.

It would make a huge impact in that eastbound traffic jam every day. Small project with a huge win.

I am kind of skeptical of that, especially westbound in the evening. Since often the backing up starts past it, though it should help it clear faster. The worst backups eastbound tend to be traffic accidents, which may be related but may not. Granted the bridge decks have been in bad shape for a while

It would make a huge impact in that eastbound traffic jam every day. Small project with a huge win.
HUGE win! It should've been done years ago.

It would make a huge impact in that eastbound traffic jam every day. Small project with a huge win.

True, another thing driving this besides population growth out west is the anticipation that merging Blvd traffic will increase. That's one less right hand lane that has to end.

I am kind of skeptical of that, especially westbound in the evening. Since often the backing up starts past it, though it should help it clear faster. The worst backups eastbound tend to be traffic accidents, which may be related but may not. Granted the bridge decks have been in bad shape for a while

Do you drive this often?

The problem is the bridge over Portland is only 3 lanes instead of 4. So the traffic taking I44 West(south), has to merge into the 2 lanes going east on 40, before splitting off again. If the Portland bridge had 2 more lanes, you could dedicate one to the I44 traffic and have 3 to hand off to the new I44/I40 bridges that need 3 lanes over the interchange as well. Once you get west of the junction, I-40 has 2 areas where a single lane opens up to 2, so there's plenty of room to do this.

In the afternoon, the eastbound I40 traffic can back up past Council on really bad days, but is typically to McArthur-ish. And that's not from accidents, it's just traffic.

It would also help to figure out a way to get the Eastbound 40 traffic coming on from Meridian, to NOT have to cross 5 lanes to get to I44-East. In a perfect world, we'd use the Texas right-hand exit approach. If you need to take I44 in either direction, you exit to the right and take a flyover to your east/west ramp. No more crossing traffic.

It would also help to figure out a way to get the Eastbound 40 traffic coming on from Meridian, to NOT have to cross 5 lanes to get to I44-East. In a perfect world, we'd use the Texas right-hand exit approach. If you need to take I44 in either direction, you exit to the right and take a flyover to your east/west ramp. No more crossing traffic.
This! They need flyover ramps for this intersection. The crossing from Meridian is ridiculous.

https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ok/70183.jpg
This was one of the notable signs on I-35 north as you crossed into Oklahoma from Texas back in 1984. We need to bring this memorable sign back.

That is cool!

new odot 8 year plan

I-35: OVER THE I-240 JCT. RECONSTR INTERCHANGE
JP# 0903205 FFY 2021 INTERCHANGE (PHASE IB) $ 11,500,000
JP# 0903206 FFY 2023 INTERCHANGE (PHASE II) $ 27,799,583
JP# 0903207 FFY 2025 INTERCHANGE (PHASE III) $ 34,503,841
JP# 0903208 FFY 2021 INTERCHANGE (PHASE IV) $ 42,213,340
$116,016,764

As much sh!t as I love to talk on OkDOT they have really been doing great things lately and I’m happy to see this project expedited!