I love living in Edmond but traffic here is terrible. We moved from McKinney, Texas several years ago. Firsthand, I can tell you that street traffic is much worse in Edmond than in most of Dallas. Highways? That's different. I'm talking street traffic.

I live in East Edmond near Pop's and find myself spending more money (tax dollars) in OKC restaurants than Edmond restaurants because it is so hard to get to downtown Edmond or West Edmond.

Worse, it seems like it is totally self-inflicted. There are WAAAAAYYYYYYYY too many traffic lights. Do Edmond engineers not realize that street lights STOP traffic and don't make it go? In a 1/4 mile space from Saints Blvd to the I-35 hotel area, there are FIVE stoplights that are not timed in any way.

There are WAAAAYYYY too many curb cuts. Why does every business have one or more curb cuts that let stopped cars have to accelerate into moving traffic? Can we not drive parking lot traffic for multiple businesses into one curb cut that reduces churn inside moving traffic?

Why are street lights not timed so that if you drive at the speed limit, you hit all green lights? Just pick a few East/West streets and move traffic to I-35 and Broadway. Then, time Broadway lights to get traffic in and out of Edmond. i.e. Can we time Westbound lights from I-35 to Broadway on 2nd so that you get people from the highway to UCO and downtown quickly? And UCO to Broadway quickly? This doesn't take special equipment, it takes equipment ALREADY on the street lights.

It's crazy that we spent millions on a traffic control system that makes people watch traffic and coordinate traffic in a silo'd manner (one light at a time, not as a group of lights) but never made an attempt to time lights for 1/10th of the cost.

Sadly, this is not just an issue in Edmond. The number of curb cuts and stoplights that the metro allows is unreal. I don't get it - do the people in charge not drive these streets and notice this bullsh*t? It's ridiculous.

Going north and south in Edmond is not bad. It's east west that is the nightmare.

Another huge problem is the state's apparent die hard opposition to 5 and 3 lane roads. (center turn lane.)

@cjohnson.405 - Curious how you decided upon Edmond when you moved here several years ago. Edmond has been known for traffic congestion and long drive times for many years, especially west of I-35.

Every time I drive through Frisco in Texas, I feel like that’s the city Wdmond is trying to copy. They just aren’t doing a good job.

I think the issue is that the highway is in the geographic center of Edmond but not city center. Covell will help on the north end once it is done, plus provide a good connection to Portland. Kelly os pretty nice for n/s traffic. I try to avoid areas around UCO except my moms house. But it's such a commuter college that it's no surprise.

It's just the nature of the beast.

^^ When I was a kid Edmond traffic was no problem, but the population has just increased so much and so many more people are driving, that they've struggled to keep up. They have a pretty aggressive streets upgrade program in place, and give good City Manager updates each week, plus they keep their website current. But I'm not sure if they'll ever be able to keep up with demand.

As for the lights, we had the timed lights at one point but evidently there was a need or a desire to change to a smart traffic system. The cameras are also supposed to be monitored by a human so they can manually over ride the "smart" programming.

One reason we moved where we did in Edmond (East 15th and I-35 area). Traffic in that area is not bad most days, but you get outside of about a 1-2 mile radius and it gets really congested. The I-35 exits are getting pretty backed up though now too at 2nd, 15th and 33rd. I often exit at Memorial and go up the frontage roads. I don't go far West Edmond during high traffic times as it's too time consuming.

I like the idea of Roundabouts placed throughout Edmond, but I'm afraid the average Oklahoman won't know how to navigate them.

We have a fair number of them now, how many crashes do we have each week?

We have a fair number of them now, how many crashes do we have each week?

Oklahoma drivers don't wreck in the roundabouts - because they come to a screeching halt when they see one and freeze up not knowing what to do.... LOL

Oklahoma drivers don't wreck in the roundabouts - because they come to a screeching halt when they see one and freeze up not knowing what to do.... LOL
#Truth

Oklahoma drivers don't wreck in the roundabouts - because they come to a screeching halt when they see one and freeze up not knowing what to do.... LOL

My mother lives near the one by UCO and cant figure it out...

Oklahoma drivers don't wreck in the roundabouts - because they come to a screeching halt when they see one and freeze up not knowing what to do.... LOL

this is so true and so frustrating

The old saying, "it'll get worse before it gets better" doesn't hold true for traffic in Edmond. Yes, east/west navigation through town is a nightmare. The fact you can almost drive into OKC faster than driving through east/west Edmond says a lot. As far as traffic lights are concerned I think they are worse after Edmond installed monitors which were to help with traffic flow. The intersection as Coltrane and 2nd street (north and south bound) is MUCH worse once the city messed with the traffic lights. For those living on the eastside of Edmond - east of I35 and north of Covell - your traffic will explode with congestion once the additional 700 homes are built. I can't imagine how heavy commuter traffic will become once those 700 homes are occupied. Sadly, I don't think city planners can figure out how to help with traffic flow. They seem to be making decisions which make matter worse....not better.

East West, the trick is to avoid 2nd and 15th. Covel and 33rd aren't bad and Memorial is pretty good. 2nd is a nightmare especially as you get closer to downtown. But this doesnt seem to be unique. I used to work in Campus Corner in Norman. There's no fast way to get there. It is what it is with downtown areas.

East West, the trick is to avoid 2nd and 15th. Covel and 33rd aren't bad and Memorial is pretty good. 2nd is a nightmare especially as you get closer to downtown. But this doesnt seem to be unique. I used to work in Campus Corner in Norman. There's no fast way to get there. It is what it is with downtown areas.

That's the thing, it doesn't have to be like it is. Edmond's bad traffic is all self-inflicted. I've lived in cities where you could go 5 or 6 miles without stopping at a stop light because all of the lights were all timed to be green if you drove the speed limit.

It's self-inflicted because engineers have placed so many stop lights and the city put millions into a traffic control system that is siloed. Every decision about traffic is made at an individual intersection level and not as a connected grid of intersections.

That's the thing, it doesn't have to be like it is. Edmond's bad traffic is all self-inflicted. I've lived in cities where you could go 5 or 6 miles without stopping at a stop light because all of the lights were all timed to be green if you drove the speed limit.

It's self-inflicted because engineers have placed so many stop lights and the city put millions into a traffic control system that is siloed. Every decision about traffic is made at an individual intersection level and not as a connected grid of intersections.
So true, particularly your last sentence!

Are there really any decently sized cities which use times lights and not some sort of smart system anymore?

Are there really any decently sized cities which use times lights and not some sort of smart system anymore?

McKinney, Texas. Was the fastest growing city in the US for several years and sits at about 160k population now. Edmond's growth is a turtle compared to the Collin County cities near Dallas.

The problem with Edmond's smart system is that it isn't smart. It relies on individuals to look at cameras and make decisions at individual intersections.
"Smart" is a misnomer.

Too many cars, too little space.

As mentioned above, lack of turn lanes, inadequate/small main corridor intersections in most places. The city would benefit much better if all main corridor roads were just like Broadway between Danforth and Covell (Wide lane, no stoplights for a mile, and divided center turn lane, limited curb cuts to help traffic flow. Second, if all main intersections were designed like Covell/Kelley or the updated 33rd/Broadway, traffic would flow much better too.

After being a part of Edmond for nearly 20 years, I feel like the city leadership is finally coming around to renovating the older road infrastructure on main streets south of Danforth and between I-35 and Santa Fe.

Another huge problem is the state's apparent die hard opposition to 5 and 3 lane roads. (center turn lane.)
Depends on where you go. There's plenty of 5-lane roads in McClain County (the main drag through Newcastle, for example), and Lindsey Street in Norman was 3-lane until recently.


Are there really any decently sized cities which use times lights and not some sort of smart system anymore?
Detroit, but they "cheat" by banning left turns (you have to turn right, then make a U-turn).

I used to live deep in Edmond and commuted downtown for a typical 8-5. I remember I would spend the same amount of time getting through the lights on Broadway as I would sitting in the stop-and-go I-44/I-235 nightmare. I recently had to go to Edmond during a weekday and @ like 2pm on a Wednesday or something - it was chaos with people driving around everywhere. I was so confused, like does no one have a job there?!

I don't ever want to, but if I was to ever move back to Edmond, it would be somewhere on the extreme southsides that are basically N. OKC with easy access to the turnpike and I-235.

Tbf, I have to get from Film Row to Edmond every day. Getting to the highway takes 20 minutes and it's like 5 miles. Then I get to my door in Edmond in about 15.

It'd also help if half of the main roadways weren't under construction much of the year . . . or at least it sure seems that way. I drive from North of Waterloo Road down to 122nd and Kelly every day. I usually take Santa Fe down to Memorial, but will sometimes take Kelly all the way down. It's crazy how leaving 5 minutes earlier or later makes . . . even at 6:15-6:30 am.

it's amazing what accountability will do. the work on I35 is much better than what it was. the new patches aren't nearly as bumpy and the progress appears to be moving right along... northbound is pretty dang smooth. it's pathetic it took property damage and injuries for ODOT to hold the contractor accountable for shoddy work.

Edmond isn't alone with traffic woes. In just the last few years, it has become apparent that timing algorithms for traffic lights have basically been thrown in the dumper. I live in SW OKC a bit SE if the airport and it seems EVERY intersection is timed without rhyme or reason. I won't say it's as bad as Edmond, but the change is obvious and frustrating.

Edmond isn't alone with traffic woes. In just the last few years, it has become apparent that timing algorithms for traffic lights have basically been thrown in the dumper. I live in SW OKC a bit SE if the airport and it seems EVERY intersection is timed without rhyme or reason. I won't say it's as bad as Edmond, but the change is obvious and frustrating.

For sure . . . one would think that with the advances in technology we wouldn't need to deal with the inconsistent traffic light problems.

“Results from Edmond residents’ traffic questionnaire released
The focus of a nearly $4.5 million project – the ongoing improvements at the intersection of Second Street and Bryant Avenue – was top of mind for Edmond residents in a questionnaire offered to the public recently.

The City of Edmond last month sought input from residents regarding traffic in the community. Over a two-week period, a special web form was available for residents to share their top three traffic “hot spots.” This data will serve as a tool to assist the City in future planning.

Between Jan. 3 and Jan. 16, more than 5,400 valid responses were submitted. Participants were allowed to place up to three pins on a map to ensure their exact location was included.

The top 10 traffic concern areas reported are:

2nd Street & Bryant Avenue intersection
Covell Road & Coltrane Road intersection
Danforth Road & Kelly Avenue intersection
15th Street & Broadway intersection
2nd Street & Boulevard Street intersection
Danforth Road & Sooner Road intersection
2nd Street & Broadway intersection
Edmond Road & Kelly Avenue intersection
15th Street & Bryant Avenue intersection
33rd Street & Broadway intersection
”

https://www.edmondok.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=898

I don't ever want to, but if I was to ever move back to Edmond, it would be somewhere on the extreme southsides that are basically N. OKC with easy access to the turnpike and I-235.

That's where we are. It wasn't a mistake. My commute to downtown OKC is cake. We do have to brave Deep Edmond (TM) once a week for the Aldi. I agree with what folks are saying, i.e., it's easier to go to restaurants in OKC than Edmond. It's just poor... not poor... but actually no long term traffic planning.

They could have built a diagonal expressway as they did in OKC with NW Expressway. They didn't. It's just roads exclusively on section lines and congestion and bad choices forever.

That's where we are. It wasn't a mistake. My commute to downtown OKC is cake. We do have to brave Deep Edmond (TM) once a week for the Aldi. I agree with what folks are saying, i.e., it's easier to go to restaurants in OKC than Edmond. It's just poor... not poor... but actually no long term traffic planning.

They could have built a diagonal expressway as they did in OKC with NW Expressway. They didn't. It's just roads exclusively on section lines and congestion and bad choices forever.
Not that it wouldn’t have helped but there’s a lot Edmond could do to lessen the traffic issues than build a diagonal expressway. More grade separations at intersections and RR tracks, make Broadway more of a freeway/expressway in the city, widen certain arterials to six lanes, build more active transit infrastructure, expand its city link bus network, etc. But the city seems to rarely be able to tackle more than one “major,” and I use that word VERY lightly, project at a time.

The city just doesn’t have the money it needs nor do the citizens feel like paying more so here is the result.

Not that it wouldn’t have helped but there’s a lot Edmond could do to lessen the traffic issues than build a diagonal expressway. More grade separations at intersections and RR tracks, make Broadway more of a freeway/expressway in the city, widen certain arterials to six lanes, build more active transit infrastructure, expand its city link bus network, etc. But the city seems to rarely be able to tackle more than one “major,” and I use that word VERY lightly, project at a time.

The city just doesn’t have the money it needs nor do the citizens feel like paying more so here is the result.

most of what you listed is not in the best interest of edmond ..

most of what you listed is not in the best interest of edmond ..
Of course not. Worse traffic congestion must be.

Not that it wouldn’t have helped but there’s a lot Edmond could do to lessen the traffic issues than build a diagonal expressway. More grade separations at intersections and RR tracks, make Broadway more of a freeway/expressway in the city, widen certain arterials to six lanes, build more active transit infrastructure, expand its city link bus network, etc. But the city seems to rarely be able to tackle more than one “major,” and I use that word VERY lightly, project at a time.

The city just doesn’t have the money it needs nor do the citizens feel like paying more so here is the result.

A diagonal expressway would not be feasible anymore because everything is developed. 40, 50 years ago? Sure! Now? It'd be absolutely cost prohibitive, it would bisect neighborhoods and commercial developments. When OKC built out NW Expressway from a little State highway, that was pretty visionary. I think in 30-40 years, we'll take a look at all of these current turnpike spurs to nowhere, and those will look pretty visionary.

A lot of the rest of that though, Edmond is not OKC and most residents don't want affordable housing or friendly mass transit. I'm sure that from a developer's standpoint, that's kind of insane, but it is what it is. The sort of development folks in Edmond love to see are retail and entertainment and big houses on big lots. Anything else is going to draw active efforts to combat it.

I agree with the city not seeming to be able to tackle a major project. The 2nd and Bryant construction is an absolute embarrassment. It is incomprehensible that it can take as long as it has for what really doesn't seem to be that complicated a project. You're calling for road widenings. I think that would be a years-long nightmare which would see many businesses shuttered as the City can't seem to hold contractors' feet to the fire when it comes to completing projects.

That's where we are. It wasn't a mistake. My commute to downtown OKC is cake. We do have to brave Deep Edmond (TM) once a week for the Aldi. I agree with what folks are saying, i.e., it's easier to go to restaurants in OKC than Edmond. It's just poor... not poor... but actually no long term traffic planning.

They could have built a diagonal expressway as they did in OKC with NW Expressway. They didn't. It's just roads exclusively on section lines and congestion and bad choices forever.

This is probably the biggest source of bad traffic, only section line roads that allow you to go N/S and E/W. If I wanted to go from Penn to May between 36th and 23rd, I'd have probably 10 different street options. Doing that in Edmond and you have only the section line roads. Thats what happens when there is no grid and everything is some kind of gated or confined neighborhood with winding streets and cul-de-sacs. There is nothing that can be done about it now other than make the major intersections bigger and wider, like 2nd and bryant. And about that taking a long time, I believe there were lots of utilities to move first, which can be painfully slow. Its also something like $6-7 million project, so not going to happen in just a couple months.

On this traffic poll, Im not sure I understand the point other than to see peoples perceptions? Its just anecdotal. Its not like the city doesnt have the actual data to show which intersections are actually dangerous. The city should make improvements in places that are actually dangerous, not what someone thinks is dangerous.

This is probably the biggest source of bad traffic, only section line roads that allow you to go N/S and E/W. If I wanted to go from Penn to May between 36th and 23rd, I'd have probably 10 different street options. Doing that in Edmond and you have only the section line roads. Thats what happens when there is no grid and everything is some kind of gated or confined neighborhood with winding streets and cul-de-sacs. There is nothing that can be done about it now other than make the major intersections bigger and wider, like 2nd and bryant. And about that taking a long time, I believe there were lots of utilities to move first, which can be painfully slow. Its also something like $6-7 million project, so not going to happen in just a couple months.

On this traffic poll, Im not sure I understand the point other than to see peoples perceptions? Its just anecdotal. Its not like the city doesnt have the actual data to show which intersections are actually dangerous. The city should make improvements in places that are actually dangerous, not what someone thinks is dangerous.

Danforth and Kelly is supposedly the most dangerous/highest level of traffic incidents in Edmond for Edmond Police. There are plans to redo the intersection, but also this area would greatly benefit with a center turn lane from Santa Fe all the way to Boulevard.

With Hobby Lobby, Starbucks, Hibdons, Edmond School Admin, etc...this entire area is notorious for rear end incidents.

As for the traffic survey, I think with the feedback the city can prioritize the next intersection project. For the longest time 33rd and Broadway was the "most complained" about intersection. The city rebuilt it and now traffic flows much better with double turn lanes, and a bigger intersection. 2nd and Bryant also received a lot of negative feedback with the shopping centers and I imagine at times UCO traffic that crowded the intersection.

I wish Covell flowed more like NW Expressway with wide lanes and minimal stoplights. However, I believe the city has scaled back a lot of what Covell could be, and there are plans to add more stoplights on the road, which in turn will create more congestion.

I wish Covell flowed more like NW Expressway with wide lanes and minimal stoplights. However, I believe the city has scaled back a lot of what Covell could be, and there are plans to add more stoplights on the road, which in turn will create more congestion.

the next phase of the Covell expansion will start in about a year ...

it will go from just east of Coltrane to just east of bryant .. with the same BLVD feel of the newer covell sections

then then from just east of bryant to just east of BLVD will be the "final" planned phase ...

which will make Covell 4 lane with turn lanes all the way from I35 - sante fe

Moved to the Edmond area from OKC about 2.5 years ago. Never had much reason to to to Edmond before that so I was stunned to see how bad things are up here. For example, why is it that so many major intersections are misaligned, meaning if you are traveling THROUGH the intersection, you have to shift to the left or right to stay in your lane? Danforth / Kelly and Edmond Rd / Kelly are the 2 that come to mind. For that matter, how can they spend tens of millions of dollars on 33rd and Broadway and NOT align the through lanes on 33rd?

Because Edmond sucks at building roads and has no real traffic planning.

Moved to the Edmond area from OKC about 2.5 years ago. Never had much reason to to to Edmond before that so I was stunned to see how bad things are up here. For example, why is it that so many major intersections are misaligned, meaning if you are traveling THROUGH the intersection, you have to shift to the left or right to stay in your lane? Danforth / Kelly and Edmond Rd / Kelly are the 2 that come to mind. For that matter, how can they spend tens of millions of dollars on 33rd and Broadway and NOT align the through lanes on 33rd?

I'm wondering if some of that is the result of correction sections?

I know they cause some strange meanders elsewhere in the metro. One example, I think, is where May doglegs just north of Wilshire.

It is not from correction lines. The only place where there are corrections lines nearby is where Township 12 North meets Township 13 North which is Wilshire Boulevard. They correct again in Guthrie.

Moved to the Edmond area from OKC about 2.5 years ago. Never had much reason to to to Edmond before that so I was stunned to see how bad things are up here. For example, why is it that so many major intersections are misaligned, meaning if you are traveling THROUGH the intersection, you have to shift to the left or right to stay in your lane? Danforth / Kelly and Edmond Rd / Kelly are the 2 that come to mind. For that matter, how can they spend tens of millions of dollars on 33rd and Broadway and NOT align the through lanes on 33rd?

Most of the intersections have little shifts because they are adding a turn lane to an otherwise straight intersection. SB Kelly right at Danforth, you go through the intersection and then it jogs to the left because engineers put a left turn lane in for NB Kelly to WB Danforth. Same with EB Danforth there. Look at the other intersections you're referencing on google maps and you can see what I'm talking about.

I do agree that Edmond traffic completely blows. I hate when we have a nice road and two cars just ride next to each other not allowing any of the traffic behind them to pass. That chaps my hide to no regard. It's the "it's my right to be in this lane" mentality. Same with anytime I pull up to a light and I'm going straight, I will try to do my best to get into the through left lane as to anyone behind me desires to make a right on red. Sure, it's not the law to have to do any of this, but let's be courteous to others on the road here!

That’s why six lane roads are optimal. Traffic flows so much better in north Dallas or south Orange County for the most part compared to the Edmond.

That’s why six lane roads are optimal. Traffic flows so much better in north Dallas or south Orange County for the most part compared to the Edmond.

Amen to that, Plutonic. There is no traffic flow to Edmond. Hitting every single light across town no matter what road you're on. The city continues to marvel at it's on smart transportation system but quite frankly it's stupid. lol

We moved to N Dallas when I was 13 and I learned how to drive there and yes, every thoroughfare is fantastic. There's a lot of traffic there, but generally the roads are designed well enough to keep it moving.

Another issue with Edmond is the size of the intersections are not capable of handling the current car load. No right turn lanes and extremely short left turn lanes, if any, cause cars usually trying to turn left to go in to the opposing traffic lane as the intersection is backed up.

The lack of any center turn lanes on major streets (like Edmond Road/2nd between Blvd and Santa Fe)

Danforth right now has a handful of construction projects between Bryant and Kelly that are causing issues. Most attempts to alleviate traffic flow are done at minimal effort. For example, Fretz was re-done for the water tower by Edmond North, but nothing was done to address those turning onto Fretz for the two schools from Danforth. Santa Fe and Covell is another example of a misaligned and weirdly positioned intersection.

I'll echo others, the multi-million dollar intelligent light system doesn't seem to help traffic flow, other than helping traffic slow down when approaching a light and turning red.

Danforth right now has a handful of construction projects between Bryant and Kelly that are causing issues. Most attempts to alleviate traffic flow are done at minimal effort. For example, Fretz was re-done for the water tower by Edmond North, but nothing was done to address those turning onto Fretz for the two schools from Danforth. Santa Fe and Covell is another example of a misaligned and weirdly positioned intersection.

I'll echo others, the multi-million dollar intelligent light system doesn't seem to help traffic flow, other than helping traffic slow down when approaching a light and turning red.

They do have a project lined up to widen Danforth there from the railroad tracks and Fretz (or maybe a little further west) that will add a turn lane all along there. It's possibly why it wasn't addressed then, perhaps.

Most of the intersections have little shifts because they are adding a turn lane to an otherwise straight intersection. SB Kelly right at Danforth, you go through the intersection and then it jogs to the left because engineers put a left turn lane in for NB Kelly to WB Danforth. Same with EB Danforth there. Look at the other intersections you're referencing on google maps and you can see what I'm talking about.


So they took the lazy way out. I've seen OKC add left turn lanes in numerous locations over the past 30 years without having this issue.

So they took the lazy way out. I've seen OKC add left turn lanes in numerous locations over the past 30 years without having this issue.

Well, I don't know what drives the different decision making in designs between OKC intersections and Edmond but you can see in google maps that OKC generally does a long gradual widening on each side of the road toward each intersection from each direction. It's so very subtle you have to look closely to see them becoming wider. Edmond does it on some but not all, and where they don't they make the adjustment on only one side of the road and it looks to be on one side of the intersection. Lazy, cheap, right of way -- I don't know why it's different in Edmond, but it can be annoying. For example, a mile south on Kelly at 2nd Street, they've made that intersection much closer to an OKC intersection with the long slow widening toward the main crossing (I am comparing to 122nd and May, randomly.) In Edmond when you drive by any of these shifts, there are black marks on the curbs where folks don't anticipate such a sharp cut back into the mainline and hit them full force. It's crazy.