The New I-40 (Construction Updates)

[Snowman]

OK, I've re-read almost every page and still can't figure it out - trying to find out how I'll get on the east bound I-40 from downtown?

For years, I've gone south on EKG, under Crosstown and taken SE 2nd street west to loop onto EB I-40 by old fire station/car dealership. I cannot understand how to get on the new EB I-40 from downtown tomorrow. Am I doomed to take Reno? I am now officially a codgerette/old female dog confused by new tricks. TIA

Going south on EKG (sheilds) just south of the new interstate will have a right turn which will loop onto the new i40

[Lauri101]

Going south on EKG (sheilds) just south of the new interstate will have a right turn which will loop onto the new i40

Thanks Snowman - that's what I was thinking. Looks like that won't be open tomorrow, so Reno it shall be. The new road looks wonderful - can't wait until fully functional!

[Thunder]

Thanks Snowman - that's what I was thinking. Looks like that won't be open tomorrow, so Reno it shall be. The new road looks wonderful - can't wait until fully functional!

Are you going to take me along for a ride?

[catch22]

As soon as I get off work tomorrow I know where I am going to drive.

[Pete]

Driving this stretch is going to be a surreal experience...

As strange as it sounds, I'll miss the old Crosstown just because I have always associated it with downtown.

[catch22]

I think I'm going to go downtown in the morning before I go to work, get one more trip on it going eastbound. We all hate it now...but in 25 years...it will be a part of OKC's history. And in 40 years I'll be able to tell my grandkids how that boulevard used to be an old elevated bridge that was a fear to drive on and how happy the city was to have the new highway.

[Snowman]

I think I'm going to go downtown in the morning before I go to work, get one more trip on it going eastbound. We all hate it now...but in 25 years...it will be a part of OKC's history. And in 40 years I'll be able to tell my grandkids how that boulevard used to be an old elevated bridge that was a fear to drive on and how happy the city was to have the new highway.

Will they believe you when you tell them the size of chunks could fell out of it?

[Pete]

When I was in high school in the late 70's, I used to drive a delivery van for Swiss Cleaners after school. My route took me downtown and I had to merge onto westbound I-40 from Hudson.

The van was really, really slow and that on-ramp was uphill and dumped you out very quickly into screaming traffic. I was all of 16 and it's a miracle I didn't have at least one fiery crash.

Those are the kind of old Crosstown memories I won't cherish.

[jn1780]

Thanks Snowman - that's what I was thinking. Looks like that won't be open tomorrow, so Reno it shall be. The new road looks wonderful - can't wait until fully functional!

If your talking about anytime after 12:00 it should be open.
Doesn't sound like your route will change that much. Just going a little bit more south. =D

I look forward to driving on it after work tomorrow.

[jn1780]

All the on-ramps and off-ramps along the new stretch of eastbound I-40.
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsm.../eastbound.php

[Skyline]

I think I'm going to go downtown in the morning before I go to work, get one more trip on it going eastbound. We all hate it now...but in 25 years...it will be a part of OKC's history. And in 40 years I'll be able to tell my grandkids how that boulevard used to be an old elevated bridge that was a fear to drive on and how happy the city was to have the new highway.

Tomorrow I will be doing the same, .... driving full throttle across the old lady one more time.

Although in 40 years I hope to be flying around Okc, like the Jetson's.

[Doug Loudenback]

All the on-ramps and off-ramps along the new stretch of eastbound I-40.
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsm.../eastbound.php

Do I read the map correctly to reflect, for eastbound from the I-44 interchange (if not also westbound leading to it) traffic, access ramps are:

1. No ingress/egress at May Ave.
2. Ingress/egress at Agnew (Villa) -- 1/2 mile west of May
3. Ingress/egress at Pennsylvania -- 1/2 mile west of Agnew/Villa
4. Ingress/egress at Western -- 1 mile from Penn at the west edge of downtown
5. Ingress/egress at Shields -- 1 mile from Western at the east edge of downtown
6. Ingress/egress at terminal point with I-35/I-235 junction

If so, on eastbound I-40 at and after the I-44 interchange, for the approximate 6 mile span (I-44 to I-235/I-35 junction)

1. One cannot enter/exit at May or at any entrance/exit which actually enters downtown
2. Exit/entrances are only at Agnew (Villa), Penn, Western & Shields

Did I miss something?

[mcca7596]

You're correct as far as I can tell also, Doug.

Also, I don't know why they went with a full interchange at Western instead of Walker.

[SSEiYah]

[*]One cannot enter/exit at May or at any entrance/exit which actually enters downtown

Did I miss something?

Shields goes downtown. head north 5 blocks, left for business district, right for bricktown.

The lack of a walker/may exits is probably to make it safer, the fewer exits/entrances the better generally speaking.

[jn1780]

The very first boulevard project which goes up for bid this month is to build the ramps leading from I-40 to the controlled access portion of the boulevard from Penn to Exchange/Western(a repaved old I-40 basically). This will restore some access to the western sides of downtown.

[Lauri101]

All the on-ramps and off-ramps along the new stretch of eastbound I-40.
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsm.../eastbound.php

Thanks jn1780 - this is what I was looking for. I saw another map that showed the Shields EB on ramp, but it was "redded out" as if to show closed. After 28 years of driving the exact same way daily (unless an accident closed the road) it'll take some getting used to for the newer route, but nice to not have to dodge holes and chunks of concrete!
I think I'll still exit at NB 235 to Sheridan in the mornings for the future. Much more convenient for parking garage access.

[oneforone]

http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsm...dor-Aerial.pdf

Based on the this map layout, you will take the new east service road from May to Agnew. Continue east on the service road to a ramp that feeds into I-40. The Westbound route will work in a similar manner Exit at Agnew and continue west on the service road to May. This was probably done to ease traffic flow feeding in and out the fairgrounds area.

[Pete]

Here's a photo from about 30 minutes ago of the ribbon-cutting:

[jstaylor62]

Driving this stretch is going to be a surreal experience...

As strange as it sounds, I'll miss the old Crosstown just because I have always associated it with downtown.

Pete, we wish you were here to enjoy the experience. I can remember the last new roads that opened in the OKC area. I-240 started at dead mans curve near May Ave and was a total change in getting around in South OKC. I remember sneaking my motorcylce onto I-44 before it opened in Southside OKC. After it opened, getting back and forth to North OKC to harass the Northside Brats was much easier.

[jstaylor62]

But without the winter weather dangers of the elevated crosstown, what will Mike Morgasam obsess about during the next snow-pocolypse?

[adaniel]

Don't worry people here will always find a way to kill themselves during any sort of wintertime precip.

[OKCisOK4me]

Are the new ODOT live cams be accessible as of today or will they only be operational after traffic is flowing both ways?

[adaniel]

I haven't viewed the traffic cameras. However, the traffic function on Google Maps is indicating some pretty big backups on 1-40 East of dowtown.

EDIT: I actually checked the camera at 40 and Shields and there is no eastbound traffic.

[OKCisOK4me]

Just checked out kfor at noon and there was no transfer of traffic yet...

[Tydude]

just herd on the scanners that the new crosstown is now open to the public