On Monday August 1st, ODOT awarded the contract for the I-35 bridges over NE 63rd St. That contact includes building the new ramp from I-35 north bound to I-44 west bound and the new ramp from I-44 east bound to I-35 south bound. The contractor has 745 days (just over 2 years) to complete the project.

Fu€king unreal. This entire interchange could be finished in that time frame. Not blaming ODOT or the contractor I wish we could fund them better.

Fu€king unreal. This entire interchange could be finished in that time frame. Not blaming ODOT or the contractor I wish we could fund them better.

the time has nothing to do with funding .... this is a complicated project .. if they closed the road i'm sure they could do it all in a month or 2

the time has nothing to do with funding .... this is a complicated project .. if they closed the road i'm sure they could do it all in a month or 2
I was referring to the entire project which is completely replacing and redesigning the interchange. This is the second phase. There will be 2-3 more phases after this one.

Are there renderings available for this phase?

Are there renderings available for this phase?

https://www.odot.org/contracts/a2022/Prelim_Plans/07%20July%202022/180_2207_NHPPI-3500%28132%29FP_2984404.pdf

Are there renderings available for this phase?
https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=32930&p=912625#post912625

They’re going to keep the I-35 mainlines together, widen them to 3 lanes each way, and remove the right exits/entrances from I-44 and place them on the right so they’ll flyover I-35. The ramps will also have two lanes each way. I-44 will be widened to 4 lanes each way to MLK BLVD.

This is separate from the plans to repave I-35 north of this interchange to I-40 and eventually fully reconstruct it and widen it to six lanes. The service roads on this stretch will also be redesigned to be one way, reconstructed, and some gaps completed so they are continuous.

Regarding the service roads, I’d expect at some point ODOT will also redo the two service roads south of this interchange to NE 122nd and make them one way with “Texas turnarounds” given the fact they plan to do that in Edmond and Moore/Norman.

Lane closure signage ready in place starting at sb Wilshire entrance and MLK. Next phase starting?

Lane closure signage ready in place starting at sb Wilshire entrance and MLK. Next phase starting?

this is the start of phase 1 the contract that was let in August in the op .. (2 years )

phase 2 is years away and will be west bound 44 to north bound i35

I-35 BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION AT N. 63RD ST. NEAR I-44 IN OKLAHOMA CITY - OKLAHOMA CO.

Impact to Traffic

Starting Jan. 23, 2023, northbound and southbound I-35 will be narrowed to two lanes in each direction between N. 50th St. (mm 132A) and Wilshire Blvd. (mm 134) for bridge reconstruction at N. 63rd St. (mm 133) in Oklahoma City.
Drivers can expect lane shifts and narrowed lane widths as well as some short-term full closures at various times during the project for bridge demolition and bridge beam installation.
The speed limit is reduced in the work zone.
About the Project

The project reconstructs the northbound and southbound I-35 bridges over N. 63rd St. (mm 133).
This project also includes a northbound I-35 to westbound I-44 flyover ramp that will be a right exit and a new eastbound I-44 to southbound I-35 ramp.
This work is in preparation for a future project that will complete the I-44/I-35 interchange reconstruction, which will include a new eastbound I-44 to northbound I-35 movement.
The more than $66 million contract was awarded to Manhattan Road & Bridge Compnay of Tulsa.
All work is expected to be completed in spring 2025.

Work started today.
Anyone have any ODOT literature or graphics of what this will look like?
Trying to visualize what they are doing with the flyover ramps.

Not being of sufficient deftness to obtain renderings of this project, I’m wondering if the little e/w crossover bridge from Bryant/WFrtg Rd to EFrtg road will remain intact. Early morning traffic/weather-covering news crews will suffer if not, lolz…

Not being of sufficient deftness to obtain renderings of this project, I’m wondering if the little e/w crossover bridge from Bryant/WFrtg Rd to EFrtg road will remain intact. Early morning traffic/weather-covering news crews will suffer if not, lolz…

i would guess that it will looks like that bridge has 4 full lanes on each side currently with room for another if they really wanted ..

They are making progress on the new flyover ramp.
179581795917959

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/3544040923a.jpg

Biggest frustrating with this project is the lack of renderings. The blurry pic of a laptop screen does not suffice.

Biggest frustrating with this project is the lack of renderings. The blurry pic of a laptop screen does not suffice.

https://youtu.be/hZHizthcCRQ

I'm sort of curious why this is even on the map. They've done quite a bit or work here already so i'm not really clear on the need for all of this. Really, it's the southbound to I35 that's the bottleneck because there just aren't enough lanes on 35. But what i'm seeing above, they really aren't making any major "how the traffic moves" changes, just making it be new road. AM I missing something?

They are keeping the mainline of I-35 together so they don’t split up adding flyovers for I-44 connections removing the left ramps creating a more efficient flow of traffic. Auxiliary lanes will be added as well. It is a very much needed project to tie into the future widening of I-35 south of here. Better to get this done first IMO.

They are keeping the mainline of I-35 together so they don’t split up adding flyovers for I-44 connections removing the left ramps creating a more efficient flow of traffic. Auxiliary lanes will be added as well. It is a very much needed project to tie into the future widening of I-35 south of here. Better to get this done first IMO.
Keeping the mainline lanes together is what they should have done with I-35 in S OKC/Moore and Norman. Glad this is happening here.

Keeping the mainline lanes together is what they should have done with I-35 in S OKC/Moore and Norman. Glad this is happening here.
That’s being considered actually believe it or not. ODOT will study that with the Flood Ave Interchange and possibly the Shields ramps further down the line. More general purpose lanes, auxiliary lanes, and service road reconfigurations are all part of the study which will soon be released.

I'm sort of curious why this is even on the map. They've done quite a bit or work here already so i'm not really clear on the need for all of this. Really, it's the southbound to I35 that's the bottleneck because there just aren't enough lanes on 35. But what i'm seeing above, they really aren't making any major "how the traffic moves" changes, just making it be new road. AM I missing something?

because this entire stretch of I35 (44 south - I 40) will soon become 6 lanes and the 63rd street bridge needed to be replaced ... north 35 to west 44 will now exit on the right and join 44 on the right .. (as it should)

That’s being considered actually believe it or not. ODOT will study that with the Flood Ave Interchange and possibly the Shields ramps further down the line. More general purpose lanes, auxiliary lanes, and service road reconfigurations are all part of the study which will soon be released.

keep in mind that left side exits /ramps while bad are much less of an issue then left side on ramps ..

the interchange that badly needs to be redone is the Turner turnpike and I35 ... the north and south ramps merging onto I35 are both dangerous in different ways .

south bound has a protected lane but lots of cars and trucks then try to quickly move across 3 lanes of traffic to exit on 122nd .. which causes issues ..

north bound is a very very small merge area and is terrible .

keep in mind that left side exits /ramps while bad are much less of an issue then left side on ramps ..

the interchange that badly needs to be redone is the Turner turnpike and I35 ... the north and south ramps merging onto I35 are both dangerous in different ways . .
I couldn’t agree more. I’m perplexed that there isn’t more accidents here as I see more close calls at this interchange than anywhere else I’ve been. ODOT is planning on continuing the third NB lane through here somehow. Not sure how it will be done and the only interim configuration they should do is add delineators to prevent traffic coming off of the Turner to cut across the freeway to make the exit ramp. I know it’s a big trucking area and that could impact business but safety is more important.

ODOT is planning on continuing the third NB lane through here somehow.

north bound has the constant 3 lanes all the way ..

south goes down to 2 lanes .. for a little over 1000 feet ..

there does seem to be enough room currently to add a 3rd lane heading south .... so it makes me thing ODOT is waiting until some point in the future when the 2 off ramps off the turnpike are fixed ..

The on ramp from 122nd St to NB Broadway Extension (interfering with the Kilpatrick on ramps) is another fun one.

north bound has the constant 3 lanes all the way ..

south goes down to 2 lanes .. for a little over 1000 feet ..

there does seem to be enough room currently to add a 3rd lane heading south .... so it makes me thing ODOT is waiting until some point in the future when the 2 off ramps off the turnpike are fixed ..
Sorry I meant SB.

The on ramp from 122nd St to NB Broadway Extension (interfering with the Kilpatrick on ramps) is another fun one.

i will say while not ideal at at least all of that is on the right side ..

a future solution would be to have the Kilpatrick exit come before and fly over the 122nd onramp

because this entire stretch of I35 (44 south - I 40) will soon become 6 lanes and the 63rd street bridge needed to be replaced ... north 35 to west 44 will now exit on the right and join 44 on the right .. (as it should)

Yeah, they wouldn't be touching this if bridge replacement wasn't driving the timeline.

Press release:

************

I-35 closes at I-44 Wednesday, Monday nights

All lanes of southbound I-35 will be closed at I-44 from 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 14 to 6 a.m. Wednesday June 15, and again from 8 p.m. Monday, June 19 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, to hang beams as part of ongoing work in the area. Drivers can detour on westbound I-44 to southbound I-235 or locate an alternate route.

The southbound I-35 ramp to westbound I-44 will be open during this work.

I-35, I-44 narrowed near N. 63rd St. through 2025

The following closures are in place through 2025 for bridge reconstruction:


Eastbound I-44 is narrowed to one lane at I-35 through June.
The northbound Lincoln Blvd. on-ramp to westbound I-44 is narrowed without shoulders.
The northbound I-35 off-ramp to N. 63rd St. is closed through summer 2023.
The left lane of eastbound I-44 is closed between Martin Luther King Ave. and I-35/I-44 junction.
Northbound Bryant Ave. is narrowed to one lane between 50th St. and Aluma Valley Dr. through summer 2023.
East and Westbound N. 63rd street is closed between Bryant Ave. and Martin Luther King Ave. Use Bryant Ave. and Martin Luther King Ave. as alternate routes.
Northbound and southbound I-35 is narrowed to two lanes in each direction between N. 50th St. and Wilshire Blvd.
Westbound I-44 is narrowed to one lane from Wilshire Blvd. to Martin Luther King Ave.
The southbound I-35 on-ramp from Bryant Ave. is permanently closed.


Motorists should locate an alternate route such as I-44 to I-235 or expect congestion and delays in the area, especially during peak commute times and are encouraged to plan extra travel time.

All through this project, i haven't really understood what the goal is at the other end. They re-did the bridge at 63rd not long ago. And honestly, i dont understand what they are trying to add here. Is it to expand 35 in both directions at the junction to be able to handle the future 6 lane expansion of 35 itself?

It's not a particularly busy area, so i'm sort of surprised about the amount of money going in to it.

They re-did the bridge at 63rd not long ago.

when was this .. ??

a quick google search says the bridges over 63rd are 65 years old ..


they redid the bridge over the creek just south of 63rd not long ago ..

this also will make the north I35 to west 44 exist on the right as it should be .. and this entire project will tie into the I35 expansion (from 44-40) that is coming soon

All through this project, i haven't really understood what the goal is at the other end. They re-did the bridge at 63rd not long ago. And honestly, i dont understand what they are trying to add here. Is it to expand 35 in both directions at the junction to be able to handle the future 6 lane expansion of 35 itself?

It's not a particularly busy area, so i'm sort of surprised about the amount of money going in to it.

Bridge replacement is the main goal driving the speed and priority. The large Deep Fork Creek bridge which was replaced first along with 63rd bridge were looking rough. Everything else is to allow I-35 expansion through the interchange and have a safer design.

OK. So what's the deal with the new flyovers? I haven't driven through since this phase started but Channel 5 was over it this morning. Some of the flyovers seem oddly directed to me.

I'm just asking because this one doesn't seem to be as well discussed as some of the other larger projects.

OK. So what's the deal with the new flyovers? I haven't driven through since this phase started but Channel 5 was over it this morning. Some of the flyovers seem oddly directed to me.

I'm just asking because this one doesn't seem to be as well discussed as some of the other larger projects.

The new NB to WB flyover they're currently constructing seems normal to me, is that what you're referring to?

Side note, is there any way we can get the thread title changed from 1-35 to I-35? It is driving me crazy as is right now, lmao.

Side note, is there any way we can get the thread title changed from 1-35 to I-35? It is driving me crazy as is right now, lmao.

Lol I never noticed that until now

OK. So what's the deal with the new flyovers? I haven't driven through since this phase started but Channel 5 was over it this morning. Some of the flyovers seem oddly directed to me.

I'm just asking because this one doesn't seem to be as well discussed as some of the other larger projects.

I see what you mean by "oddly directed" angle. I think it just looks like that because they haven't built the approach yet to that flyover ramp. The right lane will end up being the lane to take to I-44 WB.

Lol I never noticed that until now
Ah yes I see it. Mods please change the title hahah I can’t unsee it

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/3544112223a.jpg

this picture makes me wonder about temp alignments ..

I wonder if they will open the new N to West ramp first

then move N bound traffic to the under construction south bound bridge (then demo the existing north bound bridge and build the new one )

then move N bound to its final bridge and move south bound to its final bridge (then demo the old south bound bridge)

i know this isn't necessarily the best place for one, but wouldn't it be nice if the old NB to WB left exit would be retained as an HOV only exit.

Yes, I know it doesn't fit here with the lack of density of anything but perhaps we should consider repurposing other locatgions where left bound exits as HOV (like the I-40 E to I-44 W (SB) left exit and the I-44 W (SB) to I-40 E left exit once that interchange gets rebuilt. That second one would be an AWESOME downtown OKC only kind of exit for high occupancy vehicles.

i know this isn't necessarily the best place for one, but wouldn't it be nice if the old NB to WB left exit would be retained as an HOV only exit.

Yes, I know it doesn't fit here with the lack of density of anything but perhaps we should consider repurposing other locatgions where left bound exits as HOV (like the I-40 E to I-44 W (SB) left exit and the I-44 W (SB) to I-40 E left exit once that interchange gets rebuilt. That second one would be an AWESOME downtown OKC only kind of exit for high occupancy vehicles.

I recall the tightest part of I-35 in OKC is the area north of I-40 up to 36th-ish. Like 2 lanes with barely a shoulder. So, I wonder how we benefit going from no space to spare to HOV lane within 5 miles?

I recall the tightest part of I-35 in OKC is the area north of I-40 up to 36th-ish. Like 2 lanes with barely a shoulder. So, I wonder how we benefit going from no space to spare to HOV lane within 5 miles?

that entire section is getting ready to be redone and widened

that entire section is getting ready to be redone and widened

I recall reading it is on the board, but the only thing I found doing a quick search was under $1 million in 2025 for right of way and utility. Makes me think it might be 2040 before it gets done.

I recall reading it is on the board, but the only thing I found doing a quick search was under $1 million in 2025 for right of way and utility. Makes me think it might be 2040 before it gets done.
I believe actual construction on it is programmed for 2029. It could potentially be moved up.

I recall the tightest part of I-35 in OKC is the area north of I-40 up to 36th-ish. Like 2 lanes with barely a shoulder. So, I wonder how we benefit going from no space to spare to HOV lane within 5 miles?

That's why I said "THIS may not be the best place for one". Reading is fundamental.

That's why I said "THIS may not be the best place for one". Reading is fundamental.

I know what you wrote. My comment was meant to explain why I did not think it was a good idea in that location.

I believe actual construction on it is programmed for 2029. It could potentially be moved up.

Thanks. I didn’t see it in a quick trip through the ODOT 8 year plan I looked at this morning. Any idea how much it is projected to cost? Keep thinking that 4 miles of going from 2 lanes each way to 4 in the center of town is gonna be very costly.

So, let me ask another question about our roads…..from Yukon to Choctaw, if you are wanting to go north from I-40 to Memorial/Kilpatrick, you can take Kilpatrick Turnpike, I-44/SH 74, I-235 or I-35? And the eastern loop will add another choice?

So, let me ask another question about our roads…..from Yukon to Choctaw, if you are wanting to go north from I-40 to Memorial/Kilpatrick, you can take Kilpatrick Turnpike, I-44/SH 74, I-235 or I-35? And the eastern loop will add another choice?

Yes, and unfortunately, all of those highways (except for I-35) abruptly end at Memorial. The Kilpatrick curves to its east/west alignment, SH74 goes from a freeway to a 4 lane divided limited access to Waterloo just north of Memorial, and I-235/Broadway Extension quickly ends as a freeway coming into Edmond at the first of many stoplights working north along Broadway.

Thanks. I didn’t see it in a quick trip through the ODOT 8 year plan I looked at this morning. Any idea how much it is projected to cost? Keep thinking that 4 miles of going from 2 lanes each way to 4 in the center of town is gonna be very costly.
Pardon me, I went and dug further to make sure I was remembering things correctly. I’m still not quite sure about it all but here’s what I found.

First off here’s a link to preferred alternative which widens the entire road to six lanes plus auxiliary lanes where needed. It also completely reconstructs the existing road and service roads. It competes the current gaps in the service roads and changes them to one way. That project is somehow expected to cost $15,000,000(which I’m not understanding how that’s possible) and begins in 2031. Again, here’s a link to the preferred alternative chosen back in 2020: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/meetings/a2020/200218/update.pdf

Now there is some sort of a project in 2028 which will do something and cost 50,000,000 dollars worth of work for something 0.790 miles long. So whatever it is it’s big. It says I-35 grade, drain, bridge, and surface and runs from 15st to the Oklahoma River impacting both NB and SB lanes. Bottom of page 63: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/web-files/0-FFY%202024-2031%20CWP%20book.pdf

Here is additional link from an interactive map and another link to the project webpage:

https://oklahoma.public.dotmapsapp.com/map

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/programs-and-projects0/public-meetings-and-hearings0/public-meetings-and-hearings/20200218.html

Yes, and unfortunately, all of those highways (except for I-35) abruptly end at Memorial. The Kilpatrick curves to its east/west alignment, SH74 goes from a freeway to a 4 lane divided limited access to Waterloo just north of Memorial, and I-235/Broadway Extension quickly ends as a freeway coming into Edmond at the first of many stoplights working north along Broadway.

74 is freeway until 164th currently (2 miles north of memorial) and very soon will be freeway for an additional mile until 178th

and the future plan is an overpass at 178th as well .. making it freeway standard until 192nd

Pardon me, I went and dug further to make sure I was remembering things correctly. I’m still not quite sure about it all but here’s what I found.

First off here’s a link to preferred alternative which widens the entire road to six lanes plus auxiliary lanes where needed. It also completely reconstructs the existing road and service roads. It competes the current gaps in the service roads and changes them to one way. That project is somehow expected to cost $15,000,000(which I’m not understanding how that’s possible) and begins in 2031. Again, here’s a link to the preferred alternative chosen back in 2020: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/meetings/a2020/200218/update.pdf

Now there is some sort of a project in 2028 which will do something and cost 50,000,000 dollars worth of work for something 0.790 miles long. So whatever it is it’s big. It says I-35 grade, drain, bridge, and surface and runs from 15st to the Oklahoma River impacting both NB and SB lanes. Bottom of page 63: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/web-files/0-FFY%202024-2031%20CWP%20book.pdf

Here is additional link from an interactive map and another link to the project webpage:

https://oklahoma.public.dotmapsapp.com/map

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/programs-and-projects0/public-meetings-and-hearings0/public-meetings-and-hearings/20200218.html

I am guessing the massive 2028 project is the new suspension bridge and widening. I expect this gets bumped up if the Olympic events come to fruition.

Now there is some sort of a project in 2028 which will do something and cost 50,000,000 dollars worth of work for something 0.790 miles long. So whatever it is it’s big. It says I-35 grade, drain, bridge, and surface and runs from 15st to the Oklahoma River impacting both NB and SB lanes. Bottom of page 63: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/web-files/0-FFY%202024-2031%20CWP%20book.pdf

Yes, it's $50MM for rebuilding the I-35 bridges across the OK River with a suspension feature and a pedestrian path and viewing area:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47516&p=1227514#post1227514

I am guessing the massive 2028 project is the new suspension bridge and widening. I expect this gets bumped up if the Olympic events come to fruition.

Granted the events most speculated to be here would not need the bridge modified, as take place entirely on the whitewater course. So we would also need to get the flatwater events too for the bridge project to have that kind of urgency.

Yes, it's $50MM for rebuilding the I-35 bridges across the OK River with a suspension feature and a pedestrian path and viewing area:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47516&p=1227514#post1227514
That has to be waaaaaaay more than 50 million. I’m no engineer but aren’t they rebuilding it from scratch also to remove the piers for competition rowing? We’re talking about a 14 lane suspension bridge with a pedestrian path. I’m assuming there is more sources of money that will be involved?

Is $50 M the state component, and the balance would be matching federal? Federal transit matches can often be as much as 10 to 1, maybe more. I’m not well-versed enough on this project to speak to it, but without digging in I’d expect federal to make up the bulk of the project costs, and I’d expect for those to be…A LOT. I’d think the I-35 bridge rebuild would be in the hundreds of millions.

Is $50 M the state component, and the balance would be matching federal? Federal transit matches can often be as much as 10 to 1, maybe more. I’m not well-versed enough on this project to speak to it, but without digging in I’d expect federal to make up the bulk of the project costs, and I’d expect for those to be…A LOT. I’d think the I-35 bridge rebuild would be in the hundreds of millions.

Likely $50M is what is projected to be spent in 2028, and most of the rest of phases are not even on the 8 year plan yet. IIRC it is typically the opposite, federal and state money would be on the plan, and if there was local match from cities might not.

The Saint Anthony Falls Bridge in Minneapolis, coincidentally an I-35 bridge, collapsed in 2007, and was replaced quickly using a 90/10 federal/state match in 2008. The bridge crosses the Mississippi, but that’s near its headwaters and the river there is pretty narrow. The bridge looks similar in scale to what this bridge would be, but it was post-tensioned concrete and nothing fancy or especially expensive; what was most important was to get it finished quickly.

That bridge cost $234 million. In 2008.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Saint_Anthony_%2835W%29_Bridge_river_view_2008-09-18.JPG/2560px-Saint_Anthony_%2835W%29_Bridge_river_view_2008-09-18.JPG

Edit: after reading linked documents it appears the estimated project cost will be $165M.