I-235 / I-44 Interchange

[catch22]

Bleachers?! Haha, I don't know why but I find this funny. Not hating on those that are excited about this, props to that hobby!

Why the heck would anyone watch golf?

We all have different interests.

[Bellaboo]

stupid question but i assume 235 will be closed all weekend for this?

Yes. From 7:00 pm Friday until sometime am on Monday.

[d-usa]

People have always been fascinated by construction. Just think of all the old pictures of people lining up along fences to watch skyscrapers being build.

[Laramie]

People have always been fascinated by construction. Just think of all the old pictures of people lining up along fences to watch skyscrapers being build.

You nailed it d-usa:

Men? Hey, let's face it. Many of us like standing around watching others work. It's the fascination of progress that intrigues us all.

[CloudDeckMedia]

Some forecasts are showing high winds for Friday, such as WeatherBug: South winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Have they said anything yet?

[chris33]

When I drove by on the evening commute, they had raised one of the trusses up probably 20 feet and were attaching temporary supports in the middle. The chains lifting the corners are huge!

[Johnb911]

Yes. From 7:00 pm Friday until sometime am on Monday.

thank you kindly

[turnpup]

Bleachers?! Haha, I don't know why but I find this funny. Not hating on those that are excited about this, props to that hobby!

Yeah, I guess it doesn't take too much to get us excited, because we've been thoroughly enjoying the progression of this project. When it was announced that they were going to "walk" the bridge spans down the highway into place, I went and scoped out the viewing area. Now, we're not likely to go and sit on the bleachers, but will probably want to at least go over there and take a look.

We have to pass through there several times per day and it's been fun for me and my 11 year old daughter to see all the changes, anticipate lane shifts, talk about the massive scope of the project and all its logistics, etc. It'll maybe be one of those things that she'll look back on when she's an adult and tell *her* kid how she and her mom used to drive through it when it was being built. It's interesting, because my (now deceased) father and I actually watched the progress of Broadway Extension as it was first being built back in the day when I was about the age my daughter is now. Sentiment can be attached to some strange things, can't it?

[HangryHippo]

Yeah, I guess it doesn't take too much to get us excited, because we've been thoroughly enjoying the progression of this project. When it was announced that they were going to "walk" the bridge spans down the highway into place, I went and scoped out the viewing area. Now, we're not likely to go and sit on the bleachers, but will probably want to at least go over there and take a look.

We have to pass through there several times per day and it's been fun for me and my 11 year old daughter to see all the changes, anticipate lane shifts, talk about the massive scope of the project and all its logistics, etc. It'll maybe be one of those things that she'll look back on when she's an adult and tell *her* kid how she and her mom used to drive through it when it was being built. It's interesting, because my (now deceased) father and I actually watched the progress of Broadway Extension as it was first being built back in the day when I was about the age my daughter is now. Sentiment can be attached to some strange things, can't it?

So true. I remember driving certain areas with my grandfathers and discussing the changes they had seen.

[SSEiYah]

per newsok:
http://newsok.com/those-big-bridges-...rticle/5580094

"The work is part of a larger interstate widening and interchange project that is not expected to be complete until 2024."

2024? What?

[jn1780]

per newsok:
http://newsok.com/those-big-bridges-...rticle/5580094

"The work is part of a larger interstate widening and interchange project that is not expected to be complete until 2024."

2024? What?

Sounds about right. The work on the interchange and flyovers probably won't start until 2020. The last project is the westbound I-44 to northbound I-235 ramp so at least the substantial stuff should be done by 2022. I'm just glad the next few years will be projects that will be actually make a difference instead of one ramp complete every 3 years.

[Plutonic Panda]

per newsok:
http://newsok.com/those-big-bridges-...rticle/5580094

"The work is part of a larger interstate widening and interchange project that is not expected to be complete until 2024."

2024? What?

I think the project was also pushed back due to the budget. I believe it had an original completion date of 2021.

[baralheia]

For more information, here's ODOT's page on the project: https://www.ok.gov/odot/OFF_Broadway_and_I-235.html

Here's a point of information that's absolutely maddening: If the final phase of this project is completed as scheduled in 2024, this project will have taken 13 years to complete. The very first phase - the ramp from southbound Broadway Extension to I-44 West - began in 2011. I think ODOT knows just how bad this looks because the map posted on the above page showing the different phases of construction actually has the dates blocked out.

[gopokes88]

For more information, here's ODOT's page on the project: https://www.ok.gov/odot/OFF_Broadway_and_I-235.html

Here's a point of information that's absolutely maddening: If the final phase of this project is completed as scheduled in 2024, this project will have taken 13 years to complete. The very first phase - the ramp from southbound Broadway Extension to I-44 West - began in 2011. I think ODOT knows just how bad this looks because the map posted on the above page showing the different phases of construction actually has the dates blocked out.

Good chunk isn’t their fault with their hands tied on the no bonds thing.

Funny part is, this job is significantly more expensive strung out over 13 years, rather than just selling a 15 year bond. The whole time value of money concept that they apparently don’t teach.

[5alive]

Is it possible to bring before the people a vote to allow bonds to be sold for certain highway projects? If the state constitution needs to be amended, so be it.

[bradh]

Embarrassing that ODOT hasn't been able to borrow money when it's never been cheaper to do so to finish some of these projects in a timely manner.

[Jeepnokc]

Here is the live stream of moving and setting the RR bridges https://www.i235live.com/

[Pete]

Here is the live stream of moving and setting the RR bridges https://www.i235live.com/

Thank you!

Pretty cool watching this, as they are moving the truss into place on a pair of creepers, like how they move a rocket out to launch.

[rezman]

Pete, too bad they don’t allow drone shots of this. But I understand why they don’t.... this is very cool!.

[pw405]

Pete, too bad they don’t allow drone shots of this. But I understand why they don’t.... this is very cool!.

I bet ol' Sneaky Pete could get close enough to snag a few!

[pw405]

I snagged a few shots of the live stream:

[pw405]

Is it possible to bring before the people a vote to allow bonds to be sold for certain highway projects? If the state constitution needs to be amended, so be it.

Agree X 1000. I've got a buddy who lives off 235, and he reminded me that at least 3 people have died at this interchange since he has lived there over the last ~10 years. I wonder where we could find statistics on this? It would be helpful when contacting our state legislators. "Allowing financing of road projects is literally a matter of life and death".

[rezman]

As a side, it was kind of neat watching them move the first span into position this morning, and hearing the the trains coming through here in Edmond, and then seing them come through the live feed a little bit later. ... My wife says I’m easily entertained. But really, I enjoy seeing the precision is operations like this. It’s heavy industrial, but delicate at the same time.

[pw405]

As a side, it was kind of neat watching them move the first span into position this morning, and hearing the the trains coming through here in Edmond, and then seing them come through the live feed a little bit later. ... My wife says I’m easily entertained. But really, I enjoy seeing the precision is operations like this. It’s heavy industrial, but delicate at the same time.

Agree - if I was on the engineering team, I would be sweating bullets hoping that there were no errors in my measurements! Could you imagine if they get it in to place and then something doesn't line up 100%?? Sheesh. Makes me paranoid just thinking about it.

[Pete]

Agree - if I was on the engineering team, I would be sweating bullets hoping that there were no errors in my measurements! Could you imagine if they get it in to place and then something doesn't line up 100%?? Sheesh. Makes me paranoid just thinking about it.

I have the same thought every time I watch one of those shows about some huge construction project which almost all feature moments where they have to bring huge parts together and fit them into place.

At least on TV you know everything will be resolved at the end.