As you're cruising down I-44, listening to your favorite tunes (Pink Floyd here), drink in hand and enjoying the drive through our great city, there is one think we all are familiar with driving on our freeway system... (thump-thump...thump-thump...thump-thump...). Well, the good news is, the freeways being built in Oklahoma City today will last three times longer that what is now in place.

Construction methods of freeways and interstates has changed in Oklahoma. With new engineering technology, our newest thoroughfares can better withstand weight, temperature fluctuations, and inclement weather. The method is called white-topping. White-topping is where a thick asphalt base is put in place first, then another thick layer of concrete is placed on top. We've all seen this done recently with the Broadway Extension and I-35 in south Oklahoma City. This prevents settling, which the concrete shifts with the foundation due to weather and traffic weight.

For instance, when I-44 and I-35 was widened in the early 1980's, the earth was simply packed down and the contractors poured concrete on a dirt foundation. In ten years time, both freeways settled to the point where ODOT had to rehabilitate the surface of I-35 and I-44 recently through a method called diamond-grinding... basically shaving off the surface to make it smooth again.

The Lake Hefner Parkway, finished in 1992 from N.W. 63rd to north of Memorial, was built using the new construction method. Twelve years later, the freeway is still in perfect condition. ODOT has had to spend very little in terms of maintenance. The Centennial Expressway was completed in 1989 using the older method, and settling is already beginning to occur.

As Oklahoma's roads are being replaced, we will see less tax money being put into maintenance, which saves us money in taxes and wear & tear on our cars. More importantly, better contruction and new technology saves lives. The investment is worth it. And as Oklahoma City continues its growth into a major metropolitan area, it will be well worth it.

Continue the Renaissance!!!