The New I-40 (Construction Updates)

[kevinpate]

less than stellar road work is almost as common as getting the wrong order at a drive through window .. and for pretty much the same reason. Too many people wandering around burdened by a chronic GAD deficiency.



aka ... their give a damn be busted.

[SSEiYah]

The whole crosstown needs a good grooving/grinding. It seems too rough, on my car with a "slightly" sporty suspension. they could probably grind out those dips too on the Eastbound end as well.

[HangryHippo]

less than stellar road work is almost as common as getting the wrong order at a drive through window .. and for pretty much the same reason. Too many people wandering around burdened by a chronic GAD deficiency.



aka ... their give a damn be busted.

But I'm not sure that's the case in a lot of other states. At least the ones I visit, where when I drive on their newest roads, I don't notice cracks already emerging or new bridges having to be shut down for repairs to the NEW bridge, or parts of the road sinking or poor pavement quality. I know that our weather conditions here in Oklahoma put our roads through some serious hell, but I think we have some serious issues with the design and construction of roads in this state and which makes a money problem all the more acute when you have to repair what should be new roads.

[Bellaboo]

But I'm not sure that's the case in a lot of other states. At least the ones I visit, where when I drive on their newest roads, I don't notice cracks already emerging or new bridges having to be shut down for repairs to the NEW bridge, or parts of the road sinking or poor pavement quality. I know that our weather conditions here in Oklahoma put our roads through some serious hell, but I think we have some serious issues with the design and construction of roads in this state and which makes a money problem all the more acute when you have to repair what should be new roads.

The new bridge where the water extension from the river will cross under was not the problem. It was built a year in advance of the East bound road bed. The approach to the bridge was not a smooth transition (basically lousy) to the bridge. They tore out about 15 feet of the new road approach and rebuilt it and it's now pretty smooth.

Also, they had 3 semi truck flat bed trailers on the EB connection removing the temporary concrete barrier walls this morning. Hopefully they'll have the inside lane opened by tomorrow.

[okcpulse]

But I'm not sure that's the case in a lot of other states. At least the ones I visit, where when I drive on their newest roads, I don't notice cracks already emerging or new bridges having to be shut down for repairs to the NEW bridge, or parts of the road sinking or poor pavement quality. I know that our weather conditions here in Oklahoma put our roads through some serious hell, but I think we have some serious issues with the design and construction of roads in this state and which makes a money problem all the more acute when you have to repair what should be new roads.

Lake Hefner Parkway
Northwest Expressway in Canadian County
Broadway Extension north of 63rd
I-35 south of I-240
I-44 in Tulsa from I-244 to the latest expansion

Those are examples of well built roads in OK

[HangryHippo]

The new bridge where the water extension from the river will cross under was not the problem. It was built a year in advance of the East bound road bed. The approach to the bridge was not a smooth transition (basically lousy) to the bridge. They tore out about 15 feet of the new road approach and rebuilt it and it's now pretty smooth.

Also, they had 3 semi truck flat bed trailers on the EB connection removing the temporary concrete barrier walls this morning. Hopefully they'll have the inside lane opened by tomorrow.

The new bridge having to be closed that I was referencing was back when they were redoing I-35 and they had to close Shields to redo some of the work on that bridge that crossed the lanes of I-35 SB. Regarding your example, do you not find it as frustrating that it had to be redone in the first place?

[HangryHippo]

Lake Hefner Parkway
Northwest Expressway in Canadian County
Broadway Extension north of 63rd
I-35 south of I-240
I-44 in Tulsa from I-244 to the latest expansion

Those are examples of well built roads in OK

Of course, this is just one man's opinion, but my point was not that there aren't well-built roads in OK, but that there seems to be a higher incidence of we designed something crappy, or built something crappy, or we've got to redo something new than in other locations I spend a great deal of time.

I understand that cost is a obviously a consideration, and that is only one of a whole host of issues I'm sure, but I think Oklahoma's DOT needs to prioritize certain areas and focus their efforts on designing and building better interchanges and fixing areas that need to be fixed and not expanding I-40 out to El Reno when the I-40/I-44 junction remains only two lanes or when we can't fix the nightmare that is the I-240/I-35 junction. ODOT needs to create better end results.

[okcpulse]

I can agree with that. I will also add that roads are often built with a warranty, so if there is structural failure, it is on the contractor to fix the screw up. I have felt all along that higher priorities need to be places on I-44/I-235 and I-240/I-35.

[Snowman]

... I understand that cost is a obviously a consideration, and that is only one of a whole host of issues I'm sure, but I think Oklahoma's DOT needs to prioritize certain areas and focus their efforts on designing and building better interchanges and fixing areas that need to be fixed and not expanding I-40 out to El Reno when the I-40/I-44 junction remains only two lanes or when we can't fix the nightmare that is the I-240/I-35 junction. ODOT needs to create better end results.

The issue with prioritization is it is hard to make a priority work for every state legislature's district. The people out in El Reno have state representatives too, who are not going to be happy waiting more than a decade or two to get any road improvements while multiple junctions that effect them little or none are upgraded and their roads are not.

[HangryHippo]

The issue with prioritization is it is hard to make a priority work for every state legislature's district. The people out in El Reno have state representatives too, who are not going to be happy waiting more than a decade or two to get any road improvements while multiple junctions that effect them little or none are upgraded and their roads are not.

I absolutely understand this, but I do believe that population centers deserve more focus. I may be in the minority with that line of thinking, but it makes absolute sense to me to focus on your larger areas serving more people. That's obviously not the viewpoint of everyone though and things get tricky.

[Snowman]

I absolutely understand this, but I do believe that population centers deserve more focus. I may be in the minority with that line of thinking, but it makes absolute sense to me to focus on your larger areas serving more people. That's obviously not the viewpoint of everyone though and things get tricky.

The cost of upgrading the i235/i44 and i240/i35 junctions is almost half of the entire budget for interstate and state highway work in the metro area over the next ten years, they clearly already have some priority now.

[Bellaboo]

The new bridge having to be closed that I was referencing was back when they were redoing I-35 and they had to close Shields to redo some of the work on that bridge that crossed the lanes of I-35 SB. Regarding your example, do you not find it as frustrating that it had to be redone in the first place?

We are talking about different bridges here. I was referring to the bridge on the new I-40 where the canal extension is going under to the river.

Yes, they could have done it right the first time around, and I hope they had to fix it on their nickel. I personally don't like the tire noise or hum or whatever it was when it (the new I-40) first opened up, but as the road has had some traffic wear, it's not as bad as it was at first either. I was driving the EB route strictly in the left lane to not hear the noise, as it wasn't as bad in the inner lane.

[Bellaboo]

Noticed they have put up the big pipe stantions for the new signs for the East end over the weekend.

[ChaseDweller]

East end of Westbound no almost completely open. All jersey barriers down. I think the still have some restriping to do on the left hand lanes. 235 NB exit no longer an exit only lane. EB barriers are down mostly too. They just have to build the last bit of approach to the bridge from the leftmost lanes.

[OKCRT]

East end of Westbound no almost completely open. All jersey barriers down. I think the still have some restriping to do on the left hand lanes. 235 NB exit no longer an exit only lane. EB barriers are down mostly too. They just have to build the last bit of approach to the bridge from the leftmost lanes.

Going westbound on 1-40 just before 1-44 where they have been working is very dangerous. Seen a gas tanker truck just about turn on it's side a wile ago trying to navigate that stretch. Everytime I drive that section I am putting my life in someone elses hands. I was almost side swiped by another truck last week. They need to get this finished soon. I drive this section all the time and it has to be the most unsafe area in OKC. They should be working 24-7 on this.

Oh,how many lanes are we gonna have on each side of I-40 when this is complete? Some of the lanes now just seen to vanish without warning.

[OKCisOK4me]

Well, on one side you have three eastbound and three westbound, so transfer the westbound over to the westbound side once it's completed and you're looking at 12 lanes. To be certain though, 4-6 lanes at the ends and 10-12 lanes at the girth where the outside lanes turn into exit onlys.

[Bellaboo]

Going westbound on 1-40 just before 1-44 where they have been working is very dangerous. Seen a gas tanker truck just about turn on it's side a wile ago trying to navigate that stretch. Everytime I drive that section I am putting my life in someone elses hands. I was almost side swiped by another truck last week. They need to get this finished soon. I drive this section all the time and it has to be the most unsafe area in OKC. They should be working 24-7 on this.Oh,how many lanes are we gonna have on each side of I-40 when this is complete? Some of the lanes now just seen to vanish without warning.

I completely agree, they've had excellent weather and the sooner the better. I did go through there after the Thunder game the other night and they had this stretch down to one lane actually working on it, now that was a backup.... I just knew there was a wreck. You would think they would move the lanes over asap. They don't need to finish the connecting ramps to the boulevard at this point. Just get it open for safety's sake.

[jedicurt]

I completely agree, they've had excellent weather and the sooner the better. I did go through there after the Thunder game the other night and they had this stretch down to one lane actually working on it, now that was a backup.... I just knew there was a wreck. You would think they would move the lanes over asap. They don't need to finish the connecting ramps to the boulevard at this point. Just get it open for safety's sake.

they are still working on pouring the concrete sidewalls... and those are for safety's sake. it does seem like this end is taking forever, but i drive by every morning, and they are getting more and more done... it just takes time, sometimes.

[OKCRT]

they are still working on pouring the concrete sidewalls... and those are for safety's sake. it does seem like this end is taking forever, but i drive by every morning, and they are getting more and more done... it just takes time, sometimes.

So we are gonna have all these lanes but still will have only 2 lanes on each side of I-40 where the bridge crosses I-44 correct? I am afraid there will always be a bottleneck on I-40 & I-44 both. And I hope they take the curves out of that stretch because that is what almost cause the tanker to flip earlier today. I just find it hard to believe that they would have it this way. I am telling you something big is gonna happen in that area soon if they don't get it straitened out.

BTW,I drive this area all the time and there have been many many times when no one was there working. And many more times when there was just a few there.They must not see this as a priority I guess.

[jedicurt]

So we are gonna have all these lanes but still will have only 2 lanes on each side of I-40 where the bridge crosses I-44 correct? I am afraid there will always be a bottleneck on I-40 & I-44 both. And I hope they take the curves out of that stretch because that is what almost cause the tanker to flip earlier today. I just find it hard to believe that they would have it this way. I am telling you something big is gonna happen in that area soon if they don't get it straitened out.

BTW,I drive this area all the time and there have been many many times when no one was there working. And many more times when there was just a few there.They must not see this as a priority I guess.

It takes a while for concrete to dry... sometimes there is nothing to do but wait. And yes, it will drop down to the 2 lanes of I-40, presumably until this bridge is torn out and the whole interchange is redone, sometime in 2017 or 2018, i think

[Snowman]

nm

[OKCisOK4me]

And I hope they take the curves out of that stretch because that is what almost cause the tanker to flip earlier today. I just find it hard to believe that they would have it this way. I am telling you something big is gonna happen in that area soon if they don't get it straitened out.

The curves are there because the westbound lanes are currently on the eastbound sides. Most likely, you'll see an extended I-44 EAST lane exit only for lane 1, lanes 2 and 3 as thru lanes for I-40 WEST and lane 4 being an extended I-44 WEST exit only lane. Those curves will disappear when they transfer the lanes over to the side they're currently working on. I don't think it will be 4 lanes to start with though, cause they have to tear out that asphalt and pour in new concrete to wrap that part of the project up. My guess is that they will close that ramp to I-44 WEST so they can complete that part. Be prepared for anything.

[Plutonic Panda]

It takes a while for concrete to dry... sometimes there is nothing to do but wait. And yes, it will drop down to the 2 lanes of I-40, presumably until this bridge is torn out and the whole interchange is redone, sometime in 2017 or 2018, i think

Well, when they redo this, I hope the exits are all fly overs and go from right of the highway instead of the left side, so it doesn't disrupt "fast lane" traffic. It'd be awesome to a five-level interchange like the High-five. But, I doubt that will happen.

[SSEiYah]

I could have *sworn* I saw a 65mph sign (mounted sideways) on the eastbound side of I-40 near meridian, 1.5 miles before crosstown starts or so. Traffic was heavy so i did not have time to take a 2nd look.

Anyone know if 65 will be the speed limit? Seems everyone does 65 or higher anyway....

[jn1780]

I could have *sworn* I saw a 65mph sign (mounted sideways) on the eastbound side of I-40 near meridian, 1.5 miles before crosstown starts or so. Traffic was heavy so i did not have time to take a 2nd look.

Anyone know if 65 will be the speed limit? Seems everyone does 65 or higher anyway....

At least 65, heard 70 at one point, but I doubt its going to be as high as 70.