When traveling south from Edmond on Broadway, how does one get on the Kilpatrick turnpike and travel east? I had to get off at 122nd and turn around. Surely there is a better way?

You got it. There is no other way to get to EB Kilpatrick from SB Broadway Ext. It’s been that way since that interchange was built. One of many examples of the brain trust at OTA/ODOT around town.

You got it. There is no other way to get to EB Kilpatrick from SB Broadway Ext. It’s been that way since that interchange was built. One of many examples of the brain trust at OTA/ODOT around town.
This. I understand ODOT has serious funding issues, but I do not understand how OTA, with the collection of tolls, cannot build proper interchanges with flyover ramps at least at the major intersections.

There was recently talks of adding additional flyover ramps at Portland and kilpatrick but that seems to have been put aside.

You got it. There is no other way to get to EB Kilpatrick from SB Broadway Ext. It’s been that way since that interchange was built. One of many examples of the brain trust at OTA/ODOT around town.

Okay, thanks guys. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy. I would have expected a major intersection to allow east bound travel.

When traveling south from Edmond on Broadway, how does one get on the Kilpatrick turnpike and travel east? I had to get off at 122nd and turn around. Surely there is a better way?

Where are you coming from in Edmond? Origination point?

Where are you coming from in Edmond? Origination point?

I was at 33rd and Broadway when I wanted to get to I-35 without going through town. Or, that was the plan any way.

You can go east over to Eastern Ave for full access to the Kilpatrick, but I totally get that you shouldn’t have to. I mean, when they built it, why did they put a full interchange at Eastern, and only a partial interchange at a major state highway artery a mile to the west? And it’s STILL like that today. ... (head shaker).

Crazy that you have to make a 630 degree right turn to go what should be 90 degrees left, or a maximum of 270 right.

Now that I think of it, when the turnpike was built Memorial and Kelly wasn't redone to make sense like it is today. There was a short on ramp from memorial to get on broadway but they have fixed that.

This. I understand ODOT has serious funding issues, but I do not understand how OTA, with the collection of tolls, cannot build proper interchanges with flyover ramps at least at the major intersections.

Still shaking my head at the fact that the I-40/Kilpatrick Extension interchange is going to be a cloverleaf.

Still shaking my head at the fact that the I-40/Kilpatrick Extension interchange is going to be a cloverleaf.

Same. They wouldn't bother me as much if people actually knew how to use them the right way. I can see them working well in the 1950s, but they're a huge hassle with higher traffic counts today. Does Oklahoma just do this because they're cheaper?

Ditto. US-77 is a somewhat major highway, and IS in terms of OKC's grid layout. It's baffling that this interchange wasn't better planned.

Same. They wouldn't bother me as much if people actually knew how to use them the right way. I can see them working well in the 1950s, but they're a huge hassle with higher traffic counts today. Does Oklahoma just do this because they're cheaper?...

The only valid reasons I can think of for building those (cloverleafs) is cost (doing things as cheap as possible happens all the time here) or the engineers are completely stupid (the bumpy bridges support this view) and/or out-of-touch (many other decisions they make support this view). Please enlighten me if there are any other reasons...

It’s definitely a factor of cost. Flyover interchanges are an order of magnitude more expensive to build and maintain than a cloverleaf.

In a state as poor as OK, it is hard to justify extra costs anywhere. Just a matter of economics.

It’s definitely a factor of cost. Flyover interchanges are an order of magnitude more expensive to build and maintain than a cloverleaf.
Undoubtedly, so I can understand ODOT not building more of them. But OTA has toll revenue. Why can't (won't?) they do it?

In a state as poor as OK, it is hard to justify extra costs anywhere. Just a matter of economics.

I disagree that our state is poor. We don’t go until large amounts of debt to make it look like we are rich. When comparing states, Oklahoma is low on how much debt is held.

That's not how poor is defined. Poor is having no money. Debt is having debt. Rich people can have literal mountains of debt, you even referred to this phenomenon. Oklahoma is poor.

Undoubtedly, so I can understand ODOT not building more of them. But OTA has toll revenue. Why can't (won't?) they do it?

Traffic counts are a reason too. I do not have the numbers, but the c/d lanes plus a standard cloverleaf may be all that is justified given cost and traffic.

Undoubtedly, so I can understand ODOT not building more of them. But OTA has toll revenue. Why can't (won't?) they do it?

Traffic counts are a reason too. I do not have the numbers, but the c/d lanes plus a standard cloverleaf may be all that is justified given cost and traffic.

Another factor with turnpike exits and entrances, unlike free highways, is they need to be designed so that no matter where you got off or on you'd end up going through a tollbooth at some point. This isn't an excuse here though.

Re: The cost of cloverleaf vs. flyover - in many cases the latter's expenses would be reduced if designed so that left exits/entrances could be used when practical (i.e. fewer bridges), but those have become somewhat taboo.

Almost as nice as the south-bound on ramp for Broadway Extension being on the the north side of Memorial . . .

cloverleaf > left lane flyover
the only reason for a left lane exit should be for HOV lanes

When I was in town, I drove that section of the Kilpatrick north of I-40 after reading comments on here. That elevated section near Lake Overholser is a total joke. I don't know who would have enough pull to do anything about it (TV News reporting?), but there should be action taken to ensure that type of awful road work never happens again.

I also don't think OK is poor, but OK sure doesn't have as much amenities as a state compared to others. The general appearance is that of a poor-er state.

Another point about left-side ramps off and on a freeway - I agree that they are best avoided in designing freeway-to-arterial-road interchanges, but when it's a freeway-to-freeway interchange it's not as big of a deal IMO.

Another point about left-side ramps off and on a freeway - I agree that they are best avoided in designing freeway-to-arterial-road interchanges, but when it's a freeway-to-freeway interchange it's not as big of a deal IMO.

I think it's confusion and expectations of truckers and travelers who are looking for right-side exits. I you are getting on I40 EB from MacArthur or Meridian must cross the entire hiway to catch NBI44 Plus, EB I40 to NB I44 is really a sharp turn at night or for those unfamiliar with it.

Another point about left-side ramps off and on a freeway - I agree that they are best avoided in designing freeway-to-arterial-road interchanges, but when it's a freeway-to-freeway interchange it's not as big of a deal IMO.

They are deprecated in federal design standards as a safety hazard. Not only do you have to worry about drivers "death diving" across the freeway to make an exit at the last moment, but putting slow-moving ramp traffic in with fast-moving left-lane traffic is a major risk factor.

They are deprecated in federal design standards as a safety hazard. Not only do you have to worry about drivers "death diving" across the freeway to make an exit at the last moment, but putting slow-moving ramp traffic in with fast-moving left-lane traffic is a major risk factor.

like all the truckers merging onto I35 south coming from the Turner and trying to get off at 122nd... i've only been driving that stretch of road regularly since March and I've almost been hit by a truck 3 times. left lane exits/entrances are terrible and unsafe

Worst is southbound I-44 onto eastbound I-40 (at the fairgrounds) merging onto the lest lane and needing to exit at the OKC Blvd. on the right hand exit.

Worst is southbound I-44 onto eastbound I-40 (at the fairgrounds) merging onto the lest lane and needing to exit at the OKC Blvd. on the right hand exit.
I had forgotten about this because I usually never take it, but you're absolutely right! People coming from the left lane have almost taken me out trying to make the Blvd. exit. It's ridiculous.

I'd like to nominate 44 west to 40 east needing to go to the stockyards. I make that drive to work every day.

Worst is southbound I-44 onto eastbound I-40 (at the fairgrounds) merging onto the lest lane and needing to exit at the OKC Blvd. on the right hand exit.

It’s pretty bad the other direction too, people from the Blvd needing to get over to the left hand lane for I-44 west. There’s about 7 lanes that need to be crossed in a half mile or so.

They are deprecated in federal design standards as a safety hazard. ....putting slow-moving ramp traffic in with fast-moving left-lane traffic is a major risk factor.

Yes, I just love the people who get in the left lane 3 miles before the left-hand exit and defiantly drive 60mph as traffic passes them on the right. (Northbound I-35 to I-40W and southbound I-35 to Highway 77 in Norman are two of the worst spots for this.)

Yes, I just love the people who get in the left lane 3 miles before the left-hand exit and defiantly drive 60mph as traffic passes them on the right. (Northbound I-35 to I-40W and southbound I-35 to Highway 77 in Norman are two of the worst spots for this.)

how dare people drive the speed limit. you do know that even if you are in the far left lane, you are not allowed to exceed the speed limit, correct? now if you had said they were driving 50, or 45... i would agree with you, this is annoying...

how dare people drive the speed limit. you do know that even if you are in the far left lane, you are not allowed to exceed the speed limit, correct? now if you had said they were driving 50, or 45... i would agree with you, this is annoying...Yes, how dare they is correct because they are more dangerous than people that are keeping up with traffic flow exceeding the speed limit.

how dare people drive the speed limit. you do know that even if you are in the far left lane, you are not allowed to exceed the speed limit, correct? now if you had said they were driving 50, or 45... i would agree with you, this is annoying...

Actually impeding traffic in the left lane is against the law regardless of speed (and impeding has been found to be much more dangerous than speeding ). And is now a 235 dollar ticket

Actually impeding traffic in the left lane is against the law regardless of speed (and impeding has been found to be much more dangerous than speeding ). And is now a 235 dollar ticket

correct. but being in the left lane while approaching a left lane exit and traveling the speed limit, would not be impeding.

Yes, how dare they is correct because they are more dangerous than people that are keeping up with traffic flow exceeding the speed limit.

more dangerous, yes... but no more illegal

more dangerous, yes... but no more illegal

It is illegal...impeding traffic can get you a ticket.

It is illegal...impeding traffic can get you a ticket.

but you are not impeding traffic if there is a left exit approaching.

yes i'm also one who thinks left exits are dangerous and shouldn't be used... but they are. and being in the left lane as one is approaching and driving the speed limit (while dangerous) is perfectly legal. atleast according to OHP almost a year ago

https://kfor.com/2017/11/01/what-drivers-need-to-know-about-the-oklahoma-left-lane-law-now-in-effect/
from the bottom of the article


But, there are exceptions:

You can move into the left lane if you need to allow someone to enter the highway. However, you must move back to the right lane as soon as you get the chance.
You’re also allowed to move to the left lane if the lane is an exit or an entrance to another highway.
OHP said congestion is also a factor: if the flow of traffic doesn’t allow you to move to the right and you are going the speed limit, then you aren’t breaking the rules.
OHP also said you can’t move to the left lane and exceed the speed limit just to pass other cars that are going the speed limit in the right lane.

look at the second and third exceptions. so if traffic is a factor, and you are in the left lane, and you are going the speed limit... you are in the right... even if others want to go faster

how dare people drive the speed limit. you do know that even if you are in the far left lane, you are not allowed to exceed the speed limit, correct? now if you had said they were driving 50, or 45... i would agree with you, this is annoying...

An exit 3 miles away is not a scenario where you can impede the traffic.

Oh good, this argument again. It's been a minute, we're overdue.

you all can believe whatever you want... i'm just stating what OHP has said... and they are kind of the ones that determine how to enforce it...

Did they say "you can be in the left lane to take an exit" or did they say "you can be in the left lane starting at Meridian/McArthur/Rockwell/Council/Yukon as long as you plan on taking the exit"?

Did they say "you can be in the left lane to take an exit" or did they say "you can be in the left lane starting at Meridian/McArthur/Rockwell/Council/Yukon as long as you plan on taking the exit"?

depends... is there "Congestion" preventing you from getting over at McArthur, and thus by the time you got over, you would just be getting right back in the left again? Yukon... that's a ridiculous argument. especially since the last thing they said is that it is not legal to get in the left lane to pass people who are going the speed limit in the right lane... so the basis for how all of this started is flawed.

So the actual correct interpretation of what OHP said would be "of course it's okay to be in the left lane to take a left-lane exit with current traffic conditions determining if you are impeding traffic rather than merging into an exit lane" rather than accepting it as an approval to camp out in the left lane as long as you are planning to take an exit in that lane at some point in the future.

So the actual correct interpretation of what OHP said would be "of course it's okay to be in the left lane to take a left-lane exit with current traffic conditions determining if you are impeding traffic rather than merging into an exit lane" rather than accepting it as an approval to camp out in the left lane as long as you are planning to take an exit in that lane at some point in the future.

the original statement that brought this up was this quote

Yes, I just love the people who get in the left lane 3 miles before the left-hand exit and defiantly drive 60mph as traffic passes them on the right. (Northbound I-35 to I-40W and southbound I-35 to Highway 77 in Norman are two of the worst spots for this.)
which implies that you should allow for faster traffic to pass you on the left... OHP also says that is not legal, which is all i was trying to say.

my response was simply

how dare people drive the speed limit. you do know that even if you are in the far left lane, you are not allowed to exceed the speed limit, correct? now if you had said they were driving 50, or 45... i would agree with you, this is annoying...
even if one vehicle is not driving legally... the person who wants to pass them also is not driving legally.... i don't even know how this became an argument over the left lane... because i wasn't the first that brought it up as impeding... and then i just mentioned that as you approach (which yes, is subjective as to distance), it is not impeding.. and then the whole tread freaks out.

the reality of all of this is.... you are not supposed to be going faster than the speed limit in the first place... deal with it

Breaking the law to spite people breaking the law is stupid.

Breaking the law to spite people breaking the law is stupid.

agreed... so is spiting people who are breaking law because it is preventing you from breaking the law. glad we are all on the same page. so back to the turnpike

There's a thread about Oklahoma drivers if you all want to hee-haw about left lane driving and speeding.

last statement on here... came to work a different way this morning... so while driving up I-35N and approaching I-40... the sign for I-40W exit as a left exit is 2 miles. so there is the state saying that if you are going to take this left exit, and you are in the lane 2 miles before... you are not impeding in this lane. okay... so that's 2 miles, and not 3 miles. well... as soon as you take the exit to I-40W and merge on, there is another set of signs... and the far left sign says "Will Rodgers Airport Keep Left". so there is the state saying that if you are going to Will Rodgers Airport, you should be in the left lane, and hence being in that lane would not be impeding the lane. that sign, is 3 miles from the I-44 left exit.

So yes, the state believes that 3 miles (at least in this particular situation) would not be impeding the lane.