The New I-40 (Construction Updates)

[rcjunkie]

Move the urban freeway out of the way and traffic will improve. I don't know why that is so controversial when everyone agrees.

But no one agrees!

[Bellaboo]

I drove through today at 7:05 this morning. Clear sailing, no backups and the traffic was nil. Execellent !

Also, went to the Thunder game last Friday night. Got off on the Shields exit, they have a double left turn and the traffic was smooth, absolutely no problem.....

Is everyone forgetting that the new boulovard will be the primary entrance to downtown ? The 2 exits were adequate today though when I came through, zero backups.

[Martin]

i drove through around 8am and traffic was not backed up at all... looks like people are already getting the hang of it! -M

[Just the facts]

But no one agrees!

I think everyone agrees traffic has improved and the area along the old I-40 will improve. Just imagine how much better it would have been if 50% of the traffic was routed around the city.

[Bellaboo]

Just imagine how much better it would have been if 50% of the traffic was routed around the city.

Yep, the city would see those dollars driving right on by.................

[OKCRT]

Instead of routing outside of city they should just make the new I-40 dead end into downtown so everyone would have to get off and spend money. Just ask the Chamber.

[OKCisOK4me]

Yep, the city would see those dollars driving right on by.................

Yeah, we all know what happened to the towns the railroads didnt build through... ghosttown! Gotta have the highways in the city.

[jn1780]

This is called induced demand.

Oklahoma City's very existence is a result of induced demand. The only reason it exists in the middle of nowhere is because it is a hub for agriculture and transportation. Im happy with the compromise of moving the interstate and replacing it with a boulevard.

[MikeLucky]

I drove the new stretch for the first time yesterday... it was a Sunday afternoon so obviously there was no traffic to really speak of. But, I looked at it through the eyes of someone who doesn't live or work in OKC just driving through. And I can say that from that perspective this new stretch of I-40 will really open people's eyes about OKC.

Right after you get on, the first thing you see is Devon and downtown in the distance on the left, plus you see the Stockyard City arch and the Stockyards to your right... not something you could see from the old crosstown. Then you go under some nice new bridges with good color and presentation, then WOW Skydance punches you right in the face... and it's definitely in a GOOD way. Before you can even process skydance, you are now staring at the downtown core to your left and boathouse row on your right.

All told this will really be a great presentation of our city for out-of-towners and like others have said, it's giving our city a feel of a different and much more progressed city. At some point you add to this the humphrey's ferris wheel which will be just another thing to add to this stretch.

All in all I'm a big fan of the new stretch and how it shows off our city.

[Double Edge]

So, there are downtown exits at Western and Shields. Where are east and west on-ramps from downtown now?

I went home via NW 10th this weekend which is usually a better alternative than using I-40 to and from my location at west OKC and the west side of downtown.

Better yet, anyone have a link to a map for what is there now and what is to come in the not too distant future?

[Skyline]

I drove the new stretch for the first time yesterday... it was a Sunday afternoon so obviously there was no traffic to really speak of. But, I looked at it through the eyes of someone who doesn't live or work in OKC just driving through. And I can say that from that perspective this new stretch of I-40 will really open people's eyes about OKC.

Right after you get on, the first thing you see is Devon and downtown in the distance on the left, plus you see the Stockyard City arch and the Stockyards to your right... not something you could see from the old crosstown. Then you go under some nice new bridges with good color and presentation, then WOW Skydance punches you right in the face... and it's definitely in a GOOD way. Before you can even process skydance, you are now staring at the downtown core to your left and boathouse row on your right.

All told this will really be a great presentation of our city for out-of-towners and like others have said, it's giving our city a feel of a different and much more progressed city. At some point you add to this the humphrey's ferris wheel which will be just another thing to add to this stretch.

All in all I'm a big fan of the new stretch and how it shows off our city.

Very good description here, a few things to add that I noticed too.

1. The proximity to the Oklahoma River with many good views of the water.
2. Being able to actually see the old Union Rail Station. It looks amazing and very well kept on the outside, all things considering.
3. Parks and recreation areas, Wheeler Park is right there at the Western Ave exit and it really seems inviting.

[Pete]

So, there are downtown exits at Western and Shields. Where are east and west on-ramps from downtown now?

In the old eastbound configuration you could exit at Western, Walker or Harvey. The Harvey exit was pretty worthless as it dead-ends as you head into downtown after a block. Also, it was only a short distance from the Walker exit.

There will still be three eastbound exits once the new boulevard is finished and they are spaced much better.

[Double Edge]

In the old eastbound configuration you could exit at Western, Walker or Harvey. The Harvey exit was pretty worthless as it dead-ends as you head into downtown after a block. Also, it was only a short distance from the Walker exit.

There will still be three eastbound exits once the new boulevard is finished and they are spaced much better.

Agreed on the old exits and on-ramps.

But maybe I wasn't clear. If I get off today at either Western or Shields, where do I get back on I-40 to go east from downtown? Where do I get back on to go west? Are there east and west on ramps onto I-40 at Western and Shields now?

[mcca7596]

Are there east and west on ramps onto I-40 at Western and Shields now?

Yes, third question down: http://www.40forward.com/faqs/

[Double Edge]

Perfect. I didn't see them when I got off at Shields. Makes much more sense than the mess we had before, even if access is more limited by quantity.

[Double Edge]

ooops! Not quite yet. The west bound ramp directly off Western at the new highway is still closed and the old west bound ramp off Sheridan at Douglas is still in use.

[OKCisOK4me]

ooops! Not quite yet. The west bound ramp directly off Western at the new highway is still closed and the old west bound ramp off Sheridan at Douglas is still in use.

Well, duh, that's because westbound traffic is still using the old Crosstown...

[Double Edge]

Well, duh, that's because westbound traffic is still using the old Crosstown...

Well, duh, if I knew that I wouldn't have asked the question AND gotten a wrong answer to boot.

[OKCisOK4me]

Well, duh, if I knew that I wouldn't have asked the question AND gotten a wrong answer to boot.

I'm guessing you don't live here, huh?

[Martin]

you're stressing out because somebody doesn't know the exit ramps on the crosstown. let's get back to topic. -M

[OKCisOK4me]

Ummmm, it is on topic. It's about the new I-40 <---that's relevant ;-)

[Lauri101]

Agreed on the old exits and on-ramps.

But maybe I wasn't clear. If I get off today at either Western or Shields, where do I get back on I-40 to go east from downtown? Where do I get back on to go west? Are there east and west on ramps onto I-40 at Western and Shields now?

I finally did it today - left downtown to go to Midwest City. Easy peasy - EK Gaylord --->Shields. South - stay in right lane. Exit is a bit confusing as it digital sign says "next exit" but it is really "That" exit. Circle around to I-40 - long entrance ramp. Even with semis coming, it was simple to merge and move over to the left with plenty of time. MUCH better than the short entrance, unhill ramp onto old EB I-40 from Robinson.
I'm officially a believer - but glad my going home time is 3:30 and not 5 PM.

[Questor]

The western side of downtown will see all of its connections restored once that section of the boulevard is complete. Should be the first section to open up.
The eastern side of downtown has Shields/EK Gaylord which will eventually connect to the boulevard which will provided easier access to the central parts of downtown.

Your current assessment is fair. Just promised to reevaluate once everything is completed.

Thanks for your responses, they do give me some hope. I was wondering about the quoted section above though... do you know when the Blvd is scheduled to be complete/open? Also, I am curious who is putting up the money for it... is it the state? Honestly our state government worries me. So often they just bail on their commitments that I hope if they're involved we really get the money to complete the thing. If it's the city I would feel pretty good about that.

[Questor]

For those that have driven on the new I-40 now, can one see the land run monuments very well, or does it look like one will be able to when the westbound lanes open up?

You know, I have driven it a few times and I don't remember ever seeing it. So maybe not. I will try to remember to watch more closely next time and let you know.

[metro]

Agreed on the old exits and on-ramps.

But maybe I wasn't clear. If I get off today at either Western or Shields, where do I get back on I-40 to go east from downtown? Where do I get back on to go west? Are there east and west on ramps onto I-40 at Western and Shields now?

Again, the westbound won't be open for 3-8 weeks...