The New I-40 (Construction Updates)

[jn1780]

Penn, Robinson, and Walker all seem to be opening at the same time. Penn sure did take a long time compared to Robinson and Walker. I also noticed several light towers have been put up. Will those be placed all along the new section of I-40 or just major on-ramps and off-ramps?

[OKCisOK4me]

Yeah, Penn was an issue of moving the tracks over here and then back over there.

[UnFrSaKn]

Here's some shots I didn't expect to get as I went out today. I crossed over the Western bridge again and saw these guys and thought I should get some detail of the new interstate.

(7-13-11)

[mcca7596]

Thanks for the pics!

[Thunder]

Look closely, you can see them not really painting very good. Same for a similar wall in Tulsa that I looked closely...was terrible...but when people drive by, they can't notice it. They need to really paint it near-perfect (nothing is perfect), because people stop along side these walls will notice the quality.

[jn1780]

Look closely, you can see them not really painting very good. Same for a similar wall in Tulsa that I looked closely...was terrible...but when people drive by, they can't notice it. They need to really paint it near-perfect (nothing is perfect), because people stop along side these walls will notice the quality.

What do you consider near-perfect. How do you know that's not the Southwestern texture and paint scheme they were going for. Plus, that's only the first coat.

[Thunder]

What do you consider near-perfect. How do you know that's not the Southwestern texture and paint scheme they were going for. Plus, that's only the first coat.

Look at the pix closely and you can see how its not smooth line at the edges. Its like they just paint quickly without doing the task of applying tape all around where paint can be even lined.

[ljbab728]

Look at the pix closely and you can see how its not smooth line at the edges. Its like they just paint quickly without doing the task of applying tape all around where paint can be even lined.

Please note as jn1780 said that may not be the finished product. And while I hope it looks nice, what people are going to be stopping along the side of the freeway to admire the paint job unless they get a flat tire?

[bombermwc]

Agreed, i'm pretty much gonna say that it looks great. WAAAAAY better than a bland unfinished surface like we used to get. And if it's "outside the lines" some, i'm sure they'll fix it if you want to go talk to them and show them how to do it....lol.

Hey unfr, you should thank them for waiting to pour that barrier for you too! It made a great window...lol

[Larry OKC]

http://www.newsok.com/article/3584738

Proposed deep cuts in federal highway spending over the next six years would have a devastating effect on Oklahoma's eight-year road- and bridge-building plan and likely would delay key projects, including completion of the new Crosstown Expressway, the state's transportation secretary said Monday.

IMO, seems like a scare tactic, what since would it make to stop the I-40 relocation when they are this close to having it finished? If funding cuts do happen, seems much more logical to cut/delay something that is on the tail end of their 8 year plan and something that hasn't even been started yet. Don't care for Ridley in the least and was very disappointed when Gov. Fallin kept him on board.

[UnFrSaKn]

Could the Core to Shore Boulevard be in Jeopardy?

http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/20...e-in-jeopardy/

Posted by slackmeyer on July 16, 2011M at 11:57 am

Maybe you missed the story that appeared earlier this week in which Gary Ridley at ODOT talked about how potential federal budget cuts could hamper completion of the new Interstate 40 south of downtown (read it here). Note the following excerpt:
Ridley said the cut would be so extreme his agency would be unable to protect the $670 million Crosstown Expressway project, the most expensive project in state history. The seven-year project to relocate Interstate 40 through downtown Oklahoma City is scheduled to be completed next year.
“When you talk about those kind of numbers, everything is at risk,” he said. “You just can’t say that something is going to be protected over everything else.”

[Thunder]

Could the Core to Shore Boulevard be in Jeopardy?

http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/20...e-in-jeopardy/

Posted by slackmeyer on July 16, 2011M at 11:57 am

Maybe you missed the story that appeared earlier this week in which Gary Ridley at ODOT talked about how potential federal budget cuts could hamper completion of the new Interstate 40 south of downtown (read it here). Note the following excerpt:
Ridley said the cut would be so extreme his agency would be unable to protect the $670 million Crosstown Expressway project, the most expensive project in state history. The seven-year project to relocate Interstate 40 through downtown Oklahoma City is scheduled to be completed next year.
“When you talk about those kind of numbers, everything is at risk,” he said. “You just can’t say that something is going to be protected over everything else.”

This is why I don't read that reporter's blog or even support by feeding the visits/views/hits. Scare tactic on the public is not appropriate. The old I-40 will...and it must...come down. There are other ways to complete the future project, so do not worry.

[G.Walker]

This is why I don't read that reporter's blog or even support by feeding the visits/views/hits. Scare tactic on the public is not appropriate. The old I-40 will...and it must...come down. There are other ways to complete the future project, so do not worry.

I am sure the new boulevard will be completed, there has to be a medium for people to access downtown, however at the tune of $85M, I doubt it. It will probably be broken into "phases", with the first phase being minimal amenities, etc....

[betts]

I would think all the steel that can be recycled from the old crosstown will make a reasonable dent in the cost of removing it.

[jn1780]

It will be demolished. If anything the money saved by not maintaining it can be used to gradually demolished it. I don't it will come to that, though.

The boulevard on the other hand could be delayed.

[mcca7596]

It would be a shame to have a grand new entrance on OKC Arena that can't be used for so long.

[jn1780]

It would be a shame to have a grand new entrance on OKC Arena that can't be used for so long.

I wonder how much it would cost to build that stretch of road from Shields to Robinson. One block of road. LOL

[Larry OKC]

While I can see federal funding having a possible effect on the Boulevard (a project that is supposedly still in the design phase and not started yet), I don't see how it could put the relocated Crosstown completion in danger. This is a project that is THIS close to being finished (unless the announced completion timeline isn't accurate, even with funding). Hasn't ODOT already received the balance of the money for this project? Just doesn't make sense and like I said it is just a scare tactic on Ridley's part (not Steve's, he is just reporting what the officials are saying). Could/would it have an effect on the 8 year plan? No doubt, but that should be projects on the end of the plan, that haven't been started yet. NOT projects that are nearly completed.

That and Ridley is praying that they get the new one open before the old one falls down on its own (he has stated as much).

[ljbab728]

While I can see federal funding having a possible effect on the Boulevard (a project that is supposedly still in the design phase and not started yet), I don't see how it could put the relocated Crosstown completion in danger. This is a project that is THIS close to being finished (unless the announced completion timeline isn't accurate, even with funding). Hasn't ODOT already received the balance of the money for this project? Just doesn't make sense and like I said it is just a scare tactic on Ridley's part (not Steve's, he is just reporting what the officials are saying). Could/would it have an effect on the 8 year plan? No doubt, but that should be projects on the end of the plan, that haven't been started yet. NOT projects that are nearly completed.

That and Ridley is praying that they get the new one open before the old one falls down on its own (he has stated as much).

If you read Steve's blog, there is only one $20 million job left for bid and it has alread been advertised. That means the money is already available.

[ljbab728]

Apples and oranges ? 1-40 construction is nearing completion by the new boulevard hasn't even started. Two different funding projects right?

Exactly correct, and I was referring to the new I-40 construction in my comment.

[Larry OKC]

Right on all accounts (I read Steve's blog after I posted the comment). Originally the Boulevard was part of the I-40 relocation project but due to the various cost over runs, the project has been subdivided to the point that it is considered a separate project now.

His blog goes to show that Ridley was either
1) misquoted in the original article,
2) taken out of context or
3) was using scare tactics.

I didn't get the sense that Ridley claimed #1 or #2. That said, I know I read somewhere that the Boulevard was finally funded (but an Oklahoman editorial shortly after that mentioned that the funding for it wasn't going to be "in hand" until 2 years AFTER the scheduled completion of the Boulevard (presuming that anticipated revenue increases hold). I didn't fully understand how that could be, since it is my understanding that ODOT can't bid anything out until they have the money "in hand".

[mcca7596]

I just hope it can somehow be narrowed to 4 lanes. Something like Reno with 4 lanes and a planted median, with parallel parking even, would be nice in my opinion. It would save money as well.

[Snowman]

I know I read somewhere that the Boulevard was finally funded (but an Oklahoman editorial shortly after that mentioned that the funding for it wasn't going to be "in hand" until 2 years AFTER the scheduled completion of the Boulevard (presuming that anticipated revenue increases hold). I didn't fully understand how that could be, since it is my understanding that ODOT can't bid anything out until they have the money "in hand".

It seems like within 5 to 10 years of any limit to a budget a way to creatively finance a project will have been found.

[jonno]

As promised in another thread... These pictures were taken on Thursday (7/28/11). I've tried to show how visible downtown will be from the new I-40. The new highway actually doesn't feel that "sunken" when your on the pavement IMHO.

View looking NE of downtown from the new Penn. Ave. bridge over the new I-40 alignment


View looking SW of Penn. Ave. bridge over the new railroad alignment with partial paint


Downtown view from I-40 between Penn. and Exchange Ave. bridges


Downtown view from I-40 between Exchange and Western Ave. bridges


View looking East of Western Ave. over new I-40


View looking East of Walker Ave. over new I-40 and railroad


View looking North(ish) at Union station the "O K L A" (which will spell out Oklahoma City when complete) are cast into the retaining wall and visible but I guess just won't stand out until they've been painted


View looking North of ramp construction on the Robinson Ave. bridge


View looking East of Shields Blvd. over I-40


View looking East, the Skydance Bridge will be constructed in the space between my camera and the first bridge in this photo

[dmoor82]

Nice pics jonno,Thanks for the nice update!