I don't know if this is under the purview of ODOT but many of the interstate signs are in terrible shape. Unless you're from here, how are you supposed to find your way around with these illegible signs?
I don't know if this is under the purview of ODOT but many of the interstate signs are in terrible shape. Unless you're from here, how are you supposed to find your way around with these illegible signs?
I don't know the cost difference, but I have seen more and more of the standard highway green signs in larger cities replaced with essentially LED digital billboards that stand out much better for way finding. In places like DFW, even with a GPS/Google Maps/Car play, road signs are still helpful with multiple lanes converging at various points throughout the metroplex.
I know ODOT has been gradually replacing the gantry style overhead signs with the water pipe signs.
The SB section of I-35 from Memorial Rd. to NW 22nd will receive an additional lane: https://oklahoma.gov/odot/programs-a.../20230801.html
I live right near this interchange. I am very interested in this project because I drive through here almost daily.
I got the postcard in the mail and will be attending this meeting.
I might not have suggestions as to how this interchange can be more efficient (I'm curious to hear other's takes) but I do know what a mess it is!
North bound I-35 from 122nd is dangerous. Merging on I-35 while all those Semi's are getting over in the same lane to take I-44 to Tulsa. There are always wrecks here.
Exiting the either the Turner or the Kilpatrick Turnpikes southbound is a disaster. I see semis and trucks cross 3 lanes of traffic frequently to make the 122nd exit. Maybe a dedicated flyover with a 122nd exit on the north side of 122nd would help.
I do suggest using Sooner road more. Maybe better signage showing where it is?
Also, ALL the high way exits and entrances on Memorial are JUNK. I despise that they are all on one side of the highway.
Curious to hear other's ideas too.
I attached a Google aerial of the whole interchange.
Not to beat a dead horse, but WB Turner to SB I-35 is another classic example of an OTA/ODOT being cheap and implementing one of their favorite cost cutting maneuvers...the "left exit." And this one is indeed very dangerous. A flyover that merges on the right side of I-35 southbound coupled with a direct exit to NW 122 without having to cross 3 lanes of traffic should have been the design for this interchange from the get go.
The entirety of I-35 from the I-40 junction all the way up to SH-66 is basically a never ending series of horrendous cost-cutting measures. It doesn't quite take the title from I-44 between Lincoln and NW 36th for the biggest "ODOT special" in the Metro, but it's close.
Here’s the proposal:
- https://oklahoma.gov/odot/programs-a.../20230801.htmlThe proposed project will add a southbound through lane along I-35 beginning just south of Memorial Road extending south to Hefner Road. Dedicated auxiliary lanes will be provided for traffic entering and exiting I-35. To reduce the potential for collisions due to the complex weaving movements at NE 122nd Street, a concrete barrier will be constructed to prevent westbound Turner Turnpike traffic from exiting at NE 122nd Street. Traffic will then be allowed to merge onto I-35 prior to the exit at Hefner Road. Turner Turnpike traffic wanting to access NE 122nd Street will exit to I-35 north and take Sooner Road south to NE 122nd Street.
Presentation with more details goes live 8/2/2023.
Honestly, this is kind of what I expected. The concrete barrier, though not ideal will certainly be welcome to prevent people from weaving from the left side to the right side of the highway. This will also likely benefit Quiktrip. Kind of sucks for the gas stations though at 122nd who seem to get a fair amount of truck traffic from I-44 SB traffic.
They will just need to put some billboards up telling turner traffic to exit to 35 north and take sooner loop to 122. Pretty easy to do and nice 4 lane roads on entire path. Truckers will figure it out. They will learn the new route and know how to get to their stops
But yes it is perfect set up for quktrip. Unfortunately we still have the traffic on the left side that will need to merge over.
Driving I-35 in the Edmond area the other day I noticed how terrible it is. Wasn't this section redone just a few years ago? Why is it so bad already?
In doing more deep dive research on this, I don't know how I missed this article.
Starting in 2024, Edmond & ODOT are redoing their entire I-35 access points from 33rd to 2nd Street.
They are changing the access roads to one way and widening all bridges including installing Texas turn arounds.
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news...n/70203277007/
ODOT needs to redo SB I-235 where it meets 40 and 35. At one point it's only two lanes, and it backs up EVERY SINGLE DAY from 3-6 PM almost to 23rd St. Need an extra lane or turn the EB I-40 exit into a right lane exit instead of a left.
I can’t remember who it was but I talked to one of the engineers sometime ago and they said this whole interchange is being looked at, but it’s going to be a massive project. Pretty much the start of it is going to be the I 35 bridges over the Oklahoma river. I’m sure Boulder sooner knows about it as well.
I would change that will be to should be.
What I fear is what I've seen with so many of these projects. They spend 2 or 3 years messing up traffic, then it finally opens and it's soooo nice but after a couple of months they shut down a lane or two to do more work and clog up traffic again.
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