The New I-40 (Construction Updates)

[kevinpate]

Easier said than done. Try driving it during rush hour. It is temporary, but both sides will be at three lanes in a small area creating a massive dangerous bottleneck with no guardrails and a small shoulder with a steep dropoff. You tell me how that will be safe during storms or just when there is traffic.

fwiw, it's been open less than one day, AND is very much a work in progress. CVS may have chill pills on sale. It might be worth a look.

[MDot]

So we know one person has a problem with the new (temperary alignment) I-40 but he doesn't really count, I can't name one thing the city has done that he hasn't thrown a temper tantrum about. Infact, the only thing I've even seen him in a positive mood about is Oklahoma City may get a Dick's Sporting Goods sometime soon. Can we get DE to drive it and give us his feedback, or are Double Edge and lasomeday the same person? I can't tell. LOL

[metro]

Yeah, they moved the highway too early. They will be sued if someone dies. It is so dangerous the way they have it set up. You drive it during morning rush hour to downtown and tell me how you feel when you are done. Then you will understand!

I did this morning, it wasn't that bad, mainly people getting used to the new route. Not sure why people are the way they are but they are. For someone wanting to go to "LA someday", why don't you go drive the 405 in rush hour everyday, if you want to think you're going to die, or not get anywhere......

[Thunder]

So we know one person has a problem with the new (temperary alignment) I-40 but he doesn't really count, I can't name one thing the city has done that he hasn't thrown a temper tantrum about. Infact, the only thing I've even seen him in a positive mood about is Oklahoma City may get a Dick's Sporting Goods sometime soon. Can we get DE to drive it and give us his feedback, or are Double Edge and lasomeday the same person? I can't tell. LOL

Dick's Sporting Goods.

I wonder why....

[okcfollower]

I can already see people complaining when there are temporary closures between the new crosstown and downtown as the old one is coming down overhead...

People will complain no matter what. If you don't want to deal with road construction delays or detours. Please do yourself and us a favor and more to a small town with only a red flashing light where you wont have to worry about something like this.

[mcca7596]

If you don't want to deal with road construction delays or detours. Please do yourself and us a favor and more to a small town with only a red flashing light where you wont have to worry about something like this.

This. Most of the growth of Oklahoma City is people coming from small town Oklahoma to the outer fringes and thinking they've made it big time. But... they don't want to deal with what comes along with living in a real city.

[lasomeday]

Not one person drove during rush hour on here.

I talked to the head engineer and I told him my concerns. He obviously didn't drive in OKC. His office is in Perry. I told him having two off ramps for all of downtown is ridiculous. He said that too many off and on ramps cause wrecks. I told him that going from four off ramps to two means the city streets have more clusters of traffic. He said that ODOT had not communicated with the city about the traffic issues and everyone getting off at one exit. He didn't understand why all the traffice used the Western Exit. I had to go in detail telling him about the construction of the streets and that to get to most of the jobs downtown you have to exit there.

He said he is going to work with the city on getting things better organized. I told him to hurry before someone dies!

I don't really take care what you guys think. If you don't say something about problems they will never get improved! You guys are used to mediocre. I am used to perfection!

I did however really like the pedestrian bridge. It looks pretty amazing driving underneath it. Hans did a great job with the changes.

[OKCisOK4me]

Wow...whiner...

[SoonerBeerMan]

I think we've found someone that MIGHT approach Thunder's level of ridiculous and blowing things out of proportion. Congrats la!! (I think)

[Of Sound Mind]

Not one person drove during rush hour on here.

Ummmm... wrong! Try again.

And if not ONE person on here drove during rush hour, as you claim, does that include you or are you not a person? (Unless of course I did not read your statement literally, meaning no one drove their vehicle on this forum during rush hour.)

I don't really take care what you guys think. If you don't say something about problems they will never get improved!

There's a constructive way to express your opinion and then there is your way -- a whiny rant.

You guys are used to mediocre. I am used to perfection!

Tell me one major city that doesn't have any traffic flow problems. And like someone else mentioned previously... trying driving one of the other major metro's highways during rush hour and then compare what WE experienced this morning to that.

You may not care what others think. But they all seem to agree that your gripes were more of a temper tantrum than a constructive analysis.

[Just the facts]

People stuck in traffic have only one person to blame - themselves. If you don't like traffic, move to downtown and walk to work. Very seldom does two pedestrians bumping into each other result in a fatality, or even an insurance claim.

[adaniel]

I haven't driven the new Crosstown yet, but does anyone know if there's a sign that says "Dowtown, use Shields Blvd." or something similar? That seems like it would cut down on the confusion.

Sorry, but a large number of exits isn't going to help. No offense, but as long as I've been in OKC, I've noticed that drivers here are merging challenged, so a bunch of exists and entrances clustered together is a recipe for disaster.

[Of Sound Mind]

Very seldom does two pedestrians bumping into each other result in a fatality, or even an insurance claim.

Depends on the size of the person. ;-)

[Just the facts]

Depends on the size of the person. ;-)

I don't know - the bigger they are the more right-of-way they are granted, plus they are going slower.

[SoonerBeerMan]

I picture lasomeday sitting in his office high above downtown OKC, banging on the windows with clinched fists, veins bulging from his neck, screaming at the poor souls on the new eastbound I-40 as they drive into the deathtrap that ODOT has created. Then, as he nervously prepares to leave work, knowing that the ONLY option of leaving downtown is to somehow navigate this "highway born from hell", he slowly crosses himself and kisses a tattered picture of his wife.

*End scene as he drives into a smoked filled horizon*

[OKCisOK4me]

No offense, but as long as I've been in OKC, I've noticed that drivers here are merging challenged, so a bunch of exists and entrances clustered together is a recipe for disaster.

Best example of that: northbound on Hefner Parkway, people merging on from NW 63rd. What a bunch of nincompoops!

[Dulahey]

Hate to burst your bubble, but complaining to Paul Green isn't really going to do much.

Fixes were already made this morning. Sign board is up explaining to people that there now exists an exit at Shields and an additional left turn lane at Western.

And complaining about a lane merging down is just silly. This happens all over the city all the time.

[lasomeday]

I picture lasomeday sitting in his office high above downtown OKC, banging on the windows with clinched fists, veins bulging from his neck, screaming at the poor souls on the new eastbound I-40 as they drive into the deathtrap that ODOT has created. Then, as he nervously prepares to leave work, knowing that the ONLY option of leaving downtown is to somehow navigate this "highway born from hell", he slowly crosses himself and kisses a tattered picture of his wife.

*End scene as he drives into a smoked filled horizon*

Pretty close!

[gurantula35]

i must say, i took the shields exit last night, didnt even know where it led, but was greatfully surprised that it led right into the middle of downtown. its jut a completely new view/entrance into downtown that i didnt know about or expect. I can't really explain what i'm tryin to say. but it was awesome so please forgive me.

[jn1780]

He said that too many off and on ramps cause wrecks.

He's right. Thats why downtown traffic will rely on the boulevard.

I don't really take care what you guys think.

Same thought crossed my mind.

If you don't say something about problems they will never get improved! You guys are used to mediocre.

How are they suppose to improve something without someone complaining about the construction and all the temporary hassles involved?

I am used to perfection!

So do you take a pill that gives you the perfect body or do you go through the pain and sweat involved in exercising?

[Dulahey]

i must say, i took the shields exit last night, didnt even know where it led, but was greatfully surprised that it led right into the middle of downtown. its jut a completely new view/entrance into downtown that i didnt know about or expect. I can't really explain what i'm tryin to say. but it was awesome so please forgive me.

There's a lot of people who don't know about Shields' access to downtown. It's probably the best way to get downtown, in my opinion.(6 Lanes!) And it's always been there! But I guess only people coming from the south ever used it.

[jn1780]

ODOT Media Advisory.

Shields Blvd. exit best for access to downtown/Bricktown area The recent opening of the new eastbound I-40 Crosstown lanes brings about changes for drivers. New traffic patterns and on and off-ramps require drivers to adjust their routines for getting to downtown Oklahoma City. Those going to the downtown area or Bricktown should use the Shields Blvd. exit. The under-utilized facility is one of the larger corridors that can accommodate higher traffic volumes encountered for special events. Remember that even though traffic is starting to drive on the new eastbound lanes, the Crosstown corridor is still a construction work zone. Drivers are urged to be alert to workers and equipment while construction continues until mid-2014. Remain flexible and allow extra time locating new routes.

[lasomeday]

He's right. Thats why downtown traffic will rely on the boulevard.



Same thought crossed my mind.


How are they suppose to improve something without someone complaining about the construction and all the temporary hassles involved?


So do you take a pill that gives you the perfect body or do you go through the pain and sweat involved in exercising?

I do things the old fashioned way at the gym. I work hard and talk to the source. I may seem like I complain on here, but I get things done. I am a doer. I know I didn't do anything to fix the problem, but I talked to someone that can fix the problem. He was out making changes to the signage and will be talking to the city about getting the stop lights on Western where they eleveate the traffic backing up. He was unaware of a few things like the lack of access to downtown due to one way streets and construction for a lot of workers. The Devon employees are all taking the Western exit because of the construction mess to get into their parking garage.

I also warned him of bottlenecks when they temporarily move the west bound traffic to three lanes instead of four in a month. It won't be pretty. Traffic at 5PM is worse than 8AM traffic.

JTF I am pursing options to live closer to my job, but it hasn't happened yet. I agree with you. Do you live close to work and walk to work?

Spartan is the only person on here that actually complains more than me, but he actually takes action and is looking at the greater good.

[jn1780]

He was out making changes to the signage and will be talking to the city about getting the stop lights on Western where they eleveate the traffic backing up.

Already done this afternoon. Its not like they didn't have engineers observing how well the traffic flowed.

ODOTs biggest fault is having too much faith in the public and them actually paying attention to what was going on with the new I-40 and what ramps were available to them. lol

[MDot]

Wow, the is the most relaxed I've ever seen lasomeday. Whatever pill you took, keep taking it. LOL