This was discussed in the OKANA thread.

ODOT plans to completely replace the two bridges and add a multi-modal (pedestrian and bike path) to the west side of the new southbound bridge.

As you can see in the highlighted section, the design of the bridges allows for a large clear-span section in the middle to better accommodate rowing competitions.

You can also see the plan for the bridges includes a large suspension element with LED lighting, which would provide a dramatic element just southeast of downtown. Would be similar but much larger than the Skydance Bridge.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i35032723a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i350326231.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i350326232.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i35032623.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i35032624.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i35032625.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i35032626.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i35032627.jpg

It appears like the bridge would look something like this:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i35032723e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/i35032723f.jpg

Thinking about this, do we have any suspension bridges in the OKC area?

That was the original plan for Skydance but it changed to just a design element.

This would be a huge step in the right direction. As the wife and I travel one of things we take notice of is an areas bridges. Many cities take great pride in their bridges and overpasses and use them as a branding opportunity.

This would be the 3rd new pedestrian bridge over the river adding new connections to the river trail system:

1. Existing railroad bridge near Wheeler
2. I-35
3. Okana

I presume this is not in the eight year plan yet ?

I presume this is not in the eight year plan yet ?

the op release from odot says it is and is in 2028

the budget for that in the 8 year plan is 9 mil which would not be enough ..

Thinking about this, do we have any suspension bridges in the OKC area?

That was the original plan for Skydance but it changed to just a design element.

are plate girder steel bean bridges suspension bridges??

i thought they were not ..

the op release from odot says it is and is in 2028

the budget for that in the 8 year plan is 9 mil which would not be enough ..

Great, thank you.

I hope they make it beautiful. I can envision something iconic like Dallas' Margaret Hunt bridge over the Trinity River -- I just think something grand like that would be beautiful and usher someone into the city after driving north through the ugly concrete jungle of I35 though south OKC. But something big and beautiful to add to the skyline like that would be incredible.

This would be the 3rd new pedestrian bridge over the river adding new connections to the river trail system:

1. Existing railroad bridge near Wheeler
2. I-35
3. Okana

Do you have a rendering of the Wheeler bridge?

Thanks for the pics Pete and PluPlan for your persistent outlook on this project. Anxious to see more updates on the bridges and how this will improve travel infrastructure in our city.

Do you have a rendering of the Wheeler bridge?

See: OK River Pedestrian Bridge (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43171)

Am I reading and interpreting the document incorrectly? It says the multi-modal path would be 10 feet and then it references the picture, which shows a path that is definitely wider than 10 feet if you include the area with the lights, seating, and lookout. It seems the 10 feet would only encompass that sidewalk portion.

Am I reading and interpreting the document incorrectly? It says the multi-modal path would be 10 feet and then it references the picture, which shows a path that is definitely wider than 10 feet if you include the area with the lights, seating, and lookout. It seems the 10 feet would only encompass that sidewalk portion.

That's correct -- the path will be 10 feet but there will be a large viewing area as well.

"Marquis"???? Does anyone at ODOT proof this stuff before they put it out? It's "MARQUEE"

"Marquis"???? Does anyone at ODOT proof this stuff before they put it out? It's "MARQUEE"

Right on brand for them.

Thinking about this, do we have any suspension bridges in the OKC area?

I don't believe there are any suspension or cable-stayed road bridges anywhere in the state.

Based on the renderings, this looks to me like it would be what's called a tied arch bridge, somewhat similar to the Fort Pitt Bridge in Pittsburgh or the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee.

I don't believe there are any suspension or cable-stayed road bridges anywhere in the state.

Based on the renderings, this looks to me like it would be what's called a tied arch bridge, somewhat similar to the Fort Pitt Bridge in Pittsburgh or the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee.
Yeah it won’t be cable stayed which was I was hoping for but for design purposes. I was hoping for a Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge type but perhaps the length isn’t long enough here. The costs may be closer to BS’s estimates if this is the design they’re going with but it’ll still be a very nice bridge for OKC. I just think they’re planning something big for the I-35/I-40 concurrent segment to separate the two roads and modify the interchanges.

I don't believe there are any suspension or cable-stayed road bridges anywhere in the state.

Based on the renderings, this looks to me like it would be what's called a tied arch bridge, somewhat similar to the Fort Pitt Bridge in Pittsburgh or the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee.

are those plate girder steel bean bridges?

Very nice and would definintely help with the rowing. If we can build a new arena for horses, we can build a bridge for rowing.

What i'm not looking forward to? The mess it will cause while under construction. I-35 already needs more lanes all the way to Norman. This will become an "avoid at all costs" area for a few years.

"Marquis"???? Does anyone at ODOT proof this stuff before they put it out? It's "MARQUEE"

Jokes on you when a bunch of French nobility come and complete this project.

That would in fact make dallas jealous given their bridge is to nowhere.

That would in fact make dallas jealous given their bridge is to nowhere.

but what about Kansas City???

but what about Kansas City???

KC already has an iconic bridge over the Missouri
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a6/8b/54/a68b54ea3a47d67f9f2d86c0e3372dd0.jpg

Very nice and would definintely help with the rowing. If we can build a new arena for horses, we can build a bridge for rowing.

What i'm not looking forward to? The mess it will cause while under construction. I-35 already needs more lanes all the way to Norman. This will become an "avoid at all costs" area for a few years.

It is not like the bridge is where there is a lack of lanes.

It seems like the new north/south turnpike would make more sense for traffic from Norman to OKC if it connected around the i40/i240 juncture. Instead of swinging out to meet directly with the Kickapoo turnpike, which limits it much more to traffic that is bypassing OKC entirely than serving metro traffic like most of the recent turnpikes have.

I'm sorry but there's no way this is a more critical need than rebuilding the i-240 /I-35 in interchange in SE OKC. I'm sorry but this is a real sore spot for me, that somehow this interchange *constantly* gets shoved around for others.

I'm sorry but there's no way this is a more critical need than rebuilding the i-240 /I-35 in interchange in SE OKC. I'm sorry but this is a real sore spot for me, that somehow this interchange *constantly* gets shoved around for others.

that rest of that project will be out for bid in FFY 2025 before this project .. so ODOT agrees with you

I'm sorry but there's no way this is a more critical need than rebuilding the i-240 /I-35 in interchange in SE OKC. I'm sorry but this is a real sore spot for me, that somehow this interchange *constantly* gets shoved around for others.

We should clearly do both, which I would note is already the plan.

I suspect I-35/I-240 will be/is being built first, then I-40/I-44 prioritized, THEN the I-40/I-35/I-235 'Crossroads of America' junction can be built as traffic could be diverted utilizing I-35/I-240 to I-44 to I-35/I-44 to bypass the crossroads construction. I-35/I-44 is already being expanded so the pieces are slowly but surely coming into play for the bypass. It'd be nice if we could prioritize I-40/I-44 now to speed things up and have the bypass route u/c concurrently but $$ may not allow at the moment.

I also suspect Commuter Rail Edmond to Downtown and Norman to Downtown would be up and running to also alleviate traffic to the city (actually a VERY nice way to spur ridership, using construction as the catalyst :)).

that rest of that project will be out for bid in FFY 2025 before this project .. so ODOT agrees with you

We'll see if that actually happens though. Construction on the various phases has been pushed back numerous times. Last year's construction work plan had phases 2-4 scheduled to be let for bid in FY2023, for one example.

We'll see if that actually happens though. Construction on the various phases has been pushed back numerous times. Last year's construction work plan had phases 2-4 scheduled to be let for bid in FY2023, for one example.
I recall at one point it was supposed to be done by 2020.

Agree that it should NOT get moved ahead of 240. I'm equally tired of it getting shoved to the side while other crap happens.

Commuter rail...well dont hold your breathe. And I dont think you'd see any noticeable reduction in car traffic either.

Saw a news story last night on KFOR detailing all 3 proposed pedestrian bridges.

Saw a news story last night on KFOR detailing all 3 proposed pedestrian bridges.

It was a complete rip-off of my story which I put on social media yesterday:

https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=934-Suspension-pedestrian-bridges-planned-over-Oklahoma-River

It was a complete rip-off of my story which I put on social media yesterday:

https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=934-Suspension-pedestrian-bridges-planned-over-Oklahoma-River

At the beginning they said it came from OKC Talk

At the beginning they said it came from OKC Talk

They do not have the right to use our content without written permission.

I've told them this in writing.

At the beginning they said it came from OKC Talk
It didn’t say that last night when I read it. They must have just added that.

So with recent news of the possible situation in 2028, will this get pushed up is our wager. PLACE YOUR BETS, FOLKS!

So with recent news of the possible situation in 2028, will this get pushed up is our wager. PLACE YOUR BETS, FOLKS!

Are you talking new thunder arena or.....?

It's getting pushed way up, building support for it.

Are you talking new thunder arena or.....?

It's getting pushed way up, building support for it.

There is some indication the LA Olympics may partner with OKC on some events so do not need to build a temporary whitewater course, and their proposed rowing venue is not exactly ideal either.

See the 2028 Olympics in OKC thread

There is some indication the LA Olympics may partner with OKC on some events so do not need to build a temporary Whitewater course, and their proposed rowing venue is not exactly ideal either.

See the 2028 Olympics in OKC thread

Thanks! I saw that right after i clicked out of the thread. LOL

I would guess this project is full go and probably part of the pitch to LA

Looks like I was wrong in this entire project. Cost is projected to be around $170 million.

It also looks like it’ll start construction in 2026 as currently planned: https://oklahoma.gov/odot/progress-and-performance/federal-grant-awards/mpdg-grants/mpdg-2023-2024/bridging-the-gap-multimodal-connections-on-i-35-over-oklahoma-river.html

This, however, is from a federal grant request so we’ll see what happens. ODOT should update their eight year plan at their next commission meeting in early October. I will be excited to see if they add any new projects.

Looks like I was wrong in this entire project. Cost is projected to be around $170 million.

It also looks like it’ll start construction in 2026 as currently planned: https://oklahoma.gov/odot/progress-and-performance/federal-grant-awards/mpdg-grants/mpdg-2023-2024/bridging-the-gap-multimodal-connections-on-i-35-over-oklahoma-river.html

This, however, is from a federal grant request so we’ll see what happens. ODOT should update their eight year plan at their next commission meeting in early October. I will be excited to see if they add any new projects.

thank you for posting this info ..

i won't say the other thing :)

thank you for posting this info ..

i won't say the other thing :)
Yeah yeah :rolleyes:

they def need to start asap to get the river suited for the 2028 Olympics. I really hope OKC gets not only the slolam but all of the rowing (and Softball). It would be easy for OKC to take all of this on, the really only major cost is the Crossroads of America I-35 bridges themselves - which are already slated for but would be fast-tracked.

Let's get on this, and the arena, and the rail (need to change some funding laws IMO), and the current and new developments in the city.

I wasn't expecting four bridge spans to be the preliminary design plan. It looks like it will have piers on the edges of the river allowing for 7 unobstructed race lanes.

18338

Yes I posted earlier there would be seven general purpose and/or aux lanes in each direction. Thank you for posting that graphic. I missed that.

Delays at the junction of Interstates 40, 35 and 235 likely will worsen later this month as bridge joint rehabilitation and other repairs start along I-235 north of the Oklahoma River.

The junction itself is subject to long delays during morning and evening rush hours, a prospect that is likely to get worse before it gets better as planning continues for a potentially game-changing replacement of the I-35 bridges over the river.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/04/02/okc-traffic-junction-repairs-i-40-i35-i-235-bridges/73168399007/