The New I-40 (Construction Updates)

[DowntownMan]

I saw today that one of Oklahoma's finest has gone and marked up the retaining wall with graffiti by the railroad on the north side just before the Penn exit on the westbound side. I wish people would just grow up and not vandalize property these people are costing the state in numerous ways I'm sure.

[Dustin]

I saw today that one of Oklahoma's finest has gone and marked up the retaining wall with graffiti by the railroad on the north side just before the Penn exit on the westbound side. I wish people would just grow up and not vandalize property these people are costing the state in numerous ways I'm sure.

You need to call the Action Center: 405 297-2535

They should hopefully clean it right up.

[DowntownMan]

You need to call the Action Center: 405 297-2535

They should hopefully clean it right up.

Even if it is on i40? Wouldn't it be odat who would clean this up...meaning it would be next year haha

And correction...western exit!!

[SoonerBoy18]

When are they going to work on I-40 in Yukon? The cracks in the road are insanely annoying!

[Snowman]

When are they going to work on I-40 in Yukon? The cracks in the road are insanely annoying!

The resurfacing & widening show as the federal budget year 2014. Though you might take that with a grain of salt since their timelines do slip. I think a couple start dates (possibly the original estimate for completion) has already passed from when it hit the various 8 year project plans but they at least give an idea of what order the larger projects will get done and their is not much between the crosstown work and it.

[shawnw]

That graffiti has been there a bit

[Plutonic Panda]

Another little nag I have about this, why weren't the frontage roads and other roads that were redone due to this highway repaved in cement instead of asphalt. To answer my own question, I suppose the obvious answer is cost. But, it looks strange though and I think it would look better cement, like P180.

[Bellaboo]

I think they'll have it all stripped and opened by the end of the weekend. They had the lanes all reduced late last night and were removing the temp stripes and other general cleanup. They also had eastbound from SB I-44 closed last night removing the temporary barricades where it merges into EB I-40.

[OKCDrummer77]

Westbound was down to 1 lane from about Penn to the I-44 overpass. Looked like they had most of the permanent stripes done about 5:00 this afternoon. You can't get to EB I-44, so the Meridian exit was jammed with traffic caught in the unexpected detour.

[Lafferty Daniel]

It has been re-striped!

[DowntownMan]

It has been re-striped!

Lets see how the new highway with all the lanes open works out during the 5pm commute today! I'm hoping it flows better now.

[Lafferty Daniel]

Lets see how the new highway with all the lanes open works out during the 5pm commute today! I'm hoping it flows better now.

It was a breeze this morning. Much better than it has been with the three lanes. Hopefully the same holds true for the drive home!

[SSEiYah]

Now just the bump the speed limit to 65mph in both directions.'

It seems that is the average speed anyway....

[Plutonic Panda]

Now just the bump the speed limit to 65mph in both directions.'

It seems that is the average speed anyway....

I thought they were making it 70mph?

[catch22]

Average speed seems to be around 75-80mph already for the middle section of highway. People got used to the layout and design, and the wide travel lanes and huge right of way makes 65 feel like you are crawling along. But they will sign it for 65...

[Snowman]

I thought they were making it 70mph?

They designed it so it will be safe at 70, then are signing it slightly under since they know many people will drive over the posted limit no matter what that is.

[Plutonic Panda]

Ahh, that does makes sense. I have noticed, what Catch 22 said, the flow of traffic is generally 75-80mph most of the time.

[DowntownMan]

Average speed seems to be around 75-80mph already for the middle section of highway. People got used to the layout and design, and the wide travel lanes and huge right of way makes 65 feel like you are crawling along. But they will sign it for 65...

I40 westbound is flowing at the speed limits at 5pm! Goodbye bottleneck! Good job odot

[catch22]

Does this mean we can forget the Boulevard?

We need it for our Thunder games, remember.

[DowntownMan]

Honestly...I think the blvd is going to create a bottleneck on i40. Because on the west end the blvd will dump into i40 and you will have those people needing to take i44 west that will have to get across like 5 lanes of traffic in what less than a mile. I see this slowing down i40 traffic so i guess we better enjoy the i40 with no blvd for the next few years. but that is just my opinion..im sure others will agree.

[catch22]

Honestly...I think the blvd is going to create a bottleneck on i40. Because on the west end the blvd will dump into i40 and you will have those people needing to take i44 west that will have to get across like 5 lanes of traffic in what less than a mile. I see this slowing down i40 traffic so i guess we better enjoy the i40 with no blvd for the next few years. but that is just my opinion..im sure others will agree.

nope...we absolutely positively must have the boulevard. it's needed for our city to become a city of the future.

[Plutonic Panda]

^^^ Yes, because ODOT said so, right?

[warreng88]

Does anyone know why they have not removed the old on/off ramps from where the old I-40 used to be? There is one directly south of the arena and one SW of the arena. Since most of the Boulevard is going to be at grade, I would think they wouldn't be needed anymore.

[jn1780]

Does anyone know why they have not removed the old on/off ramps from where the old I-40 used to be? There is one directly south of the arena and one SW of the arena. Since most of the Boulevard is going to be at grade, I would think they wouldn't be needed anymore.

This is ODOT were talking about. They have their own unique ways of approaching things. lol I would say its as simple as not including those ramps in the demolition contract so now it will have to wait until a boulevard contract is approved.

[Snowman]

Does anyone know why they have not removed the old on/off ramps from where the old I-40 used to be? There is one directly south of the arena and one SW of the arena. Since most of the Boulevard is going to be at grade, I would think they wouldn't be needed anymore.

My guess are either:
A: Demolishing them was an after thought in scheduling, since the land they are on is likely not needed to build the boulevard on and from there mindset the entire area is a construction zone till the road is finished with no request by the city to get that land available earlier.
B: Pushing the ramp demolition back gives them more money earlier in the project which can go to doing parts people will drive on done faster.