I40/I44 Interchange

[gopokes88]

I mean there's no way we're gonna get this lucky, but if we were lucky they'd take a chunk of the infrastructure bill money and rebuild the interchange and do it in 2-3 years.

[catch22]

I am really surprised this interchange hasn’t gotten some attention, even just rebuild of the I-40 bridges. It is a very busy route for the trucking industry. As much as Oklahoma loves to talk about I-40 you would think something would have been done with this over the past 50 years just for that reason. It is totally inadequate.

[Snowman]

I am really surprised this interchange hasn’t gotten some attention, even just rebuild of the I-40 bridges. It is a very busy route for the trucking industry. As much as Oklahoma loves to talk about I-40 you would think something would have been done with this over the past 50 years just for that reason. It is totally inadequate.

While around 50 years is around when bridge decks normally need to be replaced at the level of maintenance ODOT does, I want to say they have done at least two sort of interim deck patch/resurfacing most bridge decks would not have (though it seems like they spend more time constructing it, than the resurfacing seems like might have improved the ride across). The piers probably have something closer to 100 year lifespan if they just redeck it, though if they widen it they may replace those at the same time.

[zefferoni]

I wish they would at least put up instructional signage on the I40W to I44E zipper merge, e.g. "Fill both lanes and take turns at the merge point"

[jn1780]

I mean there's no way we're gonna get this lucky, but if we were lucky they'd take a chunk of the infrastructure bill money and rebuild the interchange and do it in 2-3 years.

We will probably see these projects bumped up along with all the I-40 bridge replacements in MWC with the transportation bill. A full interchange replacement for I-44/I-40 doesn't seem to be on ODOTS radar though. At least widening the bridge over I-44 isn't too far away.(In ODOT time anyway)



*Assuming the bill passes anyway.

[gopokes88]

We will probably see these projects bumped up along with all the I-40 bridge replacements in MWC with the transportation bill. A full interchange replacement for I-44/I-40 doesn't seem to be on ODOTS radar though. At least widening the bridge over I-44 isn't too far away.(In ODOT time anyway)



*Assuming the bill passes anyway.

They should bite the bullet and rebuild the entire intersection with a 4 stack right hand exits only.

That would leave on 1 bottleneck in the entire metro. The I40/35/235 mess

[HangryHippo]

They should bite the bullet and rebuild the entire intersection with a 4 stack right hand exits only.

That would leave on 1 bottleneck in the entire metro. The I40/35/235 mess

From your lips to God’s ears!

[HOT ROD]

They should bite the bullet and rebuild the entire intersection with a 4 stack right hand exits only.

That would leave on 1 bottleneck in the entire metro. The I40/35/235 mess

But keep the SB I-44 to EBI-40 Left Turn for HOV into the city.

[BoulderSooner]

I-40: Eb & wb bridges over i-44.
Jp# 2895104 ffy 2024 bridge & approaches $ 48,760,000
jp# 2895108 ffy 2029 interchange $ 20,000,000
$ 68,760,000

[golden_gatorcane]

So am I interpreting this correctly that 2029 is when they plan to start the I-40/I-44 interchange? I doubt with it that far away that they would have any concept plan of what it would look like, right? (Here's hoping for flyover bridges with exits/entrances on the right).

I know funding has to be realistic, but I really wish they could move that up sooner to have all our major highway interchanges upgraded in the next few years. Will make both OKC and Tulsa feel much different in terms of driving when that gets achieved.

[BoulderSooner]

So am I interpreting this correctly that 2029 is when they plan to start the I-40/I-44 interchange? I doubt with it that far away that they would have any concept plan of what it would look like, right? (Here's hoping for flyover bridges with exits/entrances on the right).

I know funding has to be realistic, but I really wish they could move that up sooner to have all our major highway interchanges upgraded in the next few years. Will make both OKC and Tulsa feel much different in terms of driving when that gets achieved.

yeah but keep in mind the bridges over I44 (which is I40) is the back up at this intersection and redoing those will solve most of the traffic issue in 2024

[Plutonic Panda]

yeah but keep in mind the bridges over I44 (which is I40) is the back up at this intersection and redoing those will solve most of the traffic issue in 2024

I assume they’re going to do more than simply redo them right? The main issue is the bottleneck so they’re going to widen them?

[BoulderSooner]

I assume they’re going to do more than simply redo them right? The main issue is the bottleneck so they’re going to widen them?

yes they will wide enough for 4 lanes each direction i believe .. (but will be striped for 3 )

[catch22]

Looks like Portland Ave bridges will be happening at the same time, if I read your other post right Boulder. Some much needed improvements in this area.

[Plutonic Panda]

yes they will wide enough for 4 lanes each direction i believe .. (but will be striped for 3 )

Good deal! Do you have any other information about future phases? Will they redesign the interchange and remove the left exits?

[HangryHippo]

Wider I-40 bridges will be most welcome.

That said, they need to remove the left exit from EB I-40 to EB I-44 so those attempting to cross every lane after they get on at Meridian can stay to the right.

[zefferoni]

Wider I-40 bridges will be most welcome.

That said, they need to remove the left exit from EB I-40 to EB I-44 so those attempting to cross every lane after they get on at Meridian can stay to the right.

I hope they'll do the same for S/W I-44 to EB I-40. People getting off from 10th St have like 1/2 mile to get to speed and cross 4 lanes of traffic.

I really want to see some signage on how to use zipper merges for the W I-40 to E I-44 exit, e.g. "Fill both lanes and take turns at the end." People fill the right lane, and jump across the dotted line to try to block people trying to do the right thing by using the left lane as well.

[DowntownMan]

I hope they'll do the same for S/W I-44 to EB I-40. People getting off from 10th St have like 1/2 mile to get to speed and cross 4 lanes of traffic.

I really want to see some signage on how to use zipper merges for the W I-40 to E I-44 exit, e.g. "Fill both lanes and take turns at the end." People fill the right lane, and jump across the dotted line to try to block people trying to do the right thing by using the left lane as well.

They just need to continue those two lanes all the way thru to 44 and then one of the lanes can turn into the exit for 10th street. That would help that backup from happening. So many people immediately think they need to merge left once they are on 43 but the lane continues and doesn’t end already as it is.

[BoulderSooner]

Wider I-40 bridges will be most welcome.

That said, they need to remove the left exit from EB I-40 to EB I-44 so those attempting to cross every lane after they get on at Meridian can stay to the right.

the worst of this maybe any where is those getting off the turnpike (from tulsa) going south on I35 and then trying to exit at 122nd for the truck stops ..

[shartel_ave]

I've been complaining about I-40/44 since I moved here in 2011. Will be super nice when that is finished. I have a reverse commute meaning I live in the city core, paseo, and work in Warr Acres just off NW Expressway. Traffic going home and coming to work is never really bad unless there is a wreck and even than I know every back road available.

[zefferoni]

They just need to continue those two lanes all the way thru to 44 and then one of the lanes can turn into the exit for 10th street. That would help that backup from happening. So many people immediately think they need to merge left once they are on 43 but the lane continues and doesn’t end already as it is.

Mmm, that would be beautiful.

[DowntownMan]

Mmm, that would be beautiful.

And would be pretty easy to do. I think just one bridge on 44 to expand with additional lane.

[rte66man]

I-40: Eb & wb bridges over i-44.
Jp# 2895104 ffy 2024 bridge & approaches $ 48,760,000
jp# 2895108 ffy 2029 interchange $ 20,000,000
$ 68,760,000

Given the base JP # (28951), the plans have been drawn up for awhile. Current plan sets are in the 34000 range. However, finding them on ODOT's website is like finding a needle in a haystack.

[HOT ROD]

I hope they keep the WB I-44 to EB I-40 left exit for the potential use as an HOV exit toward downtown. Keep it but still add the much needed flyover toward downtown as well.

But yes, good to hear the I-40 bridges at I-44 will be expanded by 2025 - way overdue!

The city's first/only 5-stack opening in 2029?

[Ryan]

That interchange was really bad the day it opened.

Just like the one at I-240/I-35.

Haven’t heard anything on this one in a while now