I-235 / I-44 Interchange

[David]

That's a pretty reasonable explanation.

[HangryHippo]

Now THAT is how to Internet. Well done, Bill Brasky!

A good engineer NEVER publishes a diagram that does not have north facing up (top of page), unless the item in question is too long vertically. In this case, it would have been easy to publish vertically... Also, they did a poor job labeling; if you rotate the image to put north on top, then the 63rd Street label would be upside down.

Your understanding of the graphic is ODOT's/engineer's fault, not yours!

/rant

Thanks, fellas!

[jn1780]

I noticed that they have started staging equipment and information boards for the next phase of construction.

[turnpup]

I noticed that they have started staging equipment and information boards for the next phase of construction.

And have started adding "phrase of the day" type messages, such as "Don't let your last words be in a text". To which my 9-year old daughter replied, "unless it's something really really good".

[baralheia]

Message boards now saying that construction will begin Jan 2, 2017.

[Anonymous.]

Tomorrow is the beginning of hell. They will begin placing concrete barriers in the morning.

[turnpup]

Dreading.

[bombermwc]

Wondering how exactly they plan on doing this phase without doing the next phase at the same time. Northbound 235 to Westbound 44 specifically. This phase rebuilds the bridges over 44 and takes out the current loops on the east side of the bridge. If the flyover for this traffic isnt coming until the next phase, are they just not going to have that open or what? Seems a bit nuts since i dont see how you can replace a bridge and still somehow magically connect to the loop.

[warreng88]

Wondering how exactly they plan on doing this phase without doing the next phase at the same time. Northbound 235 to Westbound 44 specifically. This phase rebuilds the bridges over 44 and takes out the current loops on the east side of the bridge. If the flyover for this traffic isnt coming until the next phase, are they just not going to have that open or what? Seems a bit nuts since i dont see how you can replace a bridge and still somehow magically connect to the loop.

I would think they would do the north to eastbound ramp first, since it will have to be repositioned and the future north to west would be partially put in place, much like what is there now on the east to south bound ramp. Not sure about the north to west though. That is a head scratcher.

[flyfisher07]

Wondering how exactly they plan on doing this phase without doing the next phase at the same time. Northbound 235 to Westbound 44 specifically. This phase rebuilds the bridges over 44 and takes out the current loops on the east side of the bridge. If the flyover for this traffic isnt coming until the next phase, are they just not going to have that open or what? Seems a bit nuts since i dont see how you can replace a bridge and still somehow magically connect to the loop.

I don't believe this phase will rebuild the 235 bridges over 44, it will stop just north of 50th street. The next phase will rebuild the bridges over 44.

[Boomer3791]

Does anyone know if they're planning on flipping the current rail/road configuration so that the BNSF line will be rebuilt to go UNDER the new I235? From the looks of the dirt work on the NW side of the 50th Street bridge and the railroad overpass, that seems like it's what they're building toward.

[Brett]

Does anyone know if they're planning on flipping the current rail/road configuration so that the BNSF line will be rebuilt to go UNDER the new I235? From the looks of the dirt work on the NW side of the 50th Street bridge and the railroad overpass, that seems like it's what they're building toward.

Railroads aren't too keen on elevation changes. I believe that it is cheaper to build a bridge for a railway than a tunnel.

[jn1780]

Does anyone know if they're planning on flipping the current rail/road configuration so that the BNSF line will be rebuilt to go UNDER the new I235? From the looks of the dirt work on the NW side of the 50th Street bridge and the railroad overpass, that seems like it's what they're building toward.

From what I heard, the plan is to prebuild the new railroad bridge and push it out over the interstate one weekend.

[flyfisher07]

Does anyone know if they're planning on flipping the current rail/road configuration so that the BNSF line will be rebuilt to go UNDER the new I235? From the looks of the dirt work on the NW side of the 50th Street bridge and the railroad overpass, that seems like it's what they're building toward.

I believe the plans call for a new bridge to be located just to the NE of the existing bridge.

[OkiePoke]

There is quite a hole where the old road from 50th to I-235 N used to be.

[jn1780]

There is quite a hole where the old road from 50th to I-235 N used to be.

That's for a huge drainage structure.

[turnpup]

Although slightly inconvenienced by this project, we have been fascinated by the sheer scope of all the work being done. It's kind of cool to see all the activity and different kinds of equipment out there.

When they start shutting down lanes and traffic is backed up all the way to downtown, somebody remind me what I said just now.

[Laramie]

Although slightly inconvenienced by this project, we have been fascinated by the sheer scope of all the work being done. It's kind of cool to see all the activity and different kinds of equipment out there.

When they start shutting down lanes and traffic is backed up all the way to downtown, somebody remind me what I said just now.

Hey Turnpup, what's happening.

We'll all be in the same boat--stuck in quicksand traffic--something Citians will have to adapt. . Noticed the affects of the construction when enroute to an office on the east side of Broadway Extension 6600 last week; had to exit & re-enter several times before reaching my destination.

Wait until preparatory reaches heavy prime construction.

Already use an alternative route.

[turnpup]

Already use an alternative route.

Yep, if things get really bad, we can use Western as the alternate route best for our trip. I already use it southbound on the way home after I drop the kiddo off at school. Better yet, maybe the worst part will be in the summertime when we don't have to take Broadway Extension at all!

[Boomer3791]

Interesting article that describes how they're going to build the rail bridge and move it into place. http://constructionnews.acppubs.com/...tion-underway/

[turnpup]

Interesting article that describes how they're going to build the rail bridge and move it into place. http://constructionnews.acppubs.com/...tion-underway/

Good read. Thanks!

[David]

Yeah, that was really interesting.

[LakeEffect]

"The largest single highway contract ever awarded by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is causing significant traffic challenges in the heart of Oklahoma City..."

I drive this daily, and other than a few times when they've had it down to 1 lane, I can't say it feels that much more congested and annoying than it was before construction. Am I wrong?

[turnpup]

"The largest single highway contract ever awarded by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is causing significant traffic challenges in the heart of Oklahoma City..."

I drive this daily, and other than a few times when they've had it down to 1 lane, I can't say it feels that much more congested and annoying than it was before construction. Am I wrong?

That's been our experience as well. Going northbound, it's almost as though the construction slowdown before approaching the "curve of doom" has helped people to be better prepared to navigate through there and not suddenly slam on their brakes.

The southbound lanes are a little worse now that they've got the "no merge area" lanes between the I-44 junction and NW 36th. Still, it's not been too bad—yet.

[gopokes88]

I don't know if it will ever get THAT bad as those who can avoid the area have been. I've noticed a lot more traffic on Classen lately.