The New I-40 (Construction Updates)

[jccouger]

Anybody know why I40 will have lane closures starting 1-3-18 and how long it is supposed to last?

Found it here:
https://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/ne...ticle_id=39031

[Pete]

Anybody know why I40 will have lane closures starting 1-3-18 and how long it is supposed to last?

Found it here:
https://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/ne...ticle_id=39031

I bet it's related to relocating the substation to that area just south of I-40 from the future convention center site.

[stile99]

That link suggests it is for OG&E repairs to a utility area. In the article linked above there's another link pointing to odot, which echoes that statement. Both links (appears to be the same press release, actually) also say three weeks, weather permitting.

[HOT ROD]

hopefully we'll have LIGHTS ON THE FREEWAY (and area) after the conclusion of the lane closures!!!

[Bellaboo]

This is more than likely where I-40 has the sunken depression due to the tunneling by the contractor hired by OG&E for the new substation. It's a bad dip getting worse every day in both directions.

[baralheia]

With the lane and ramp closures for this emergency repair work, Google is getting awfully creative on trying to route drivers through this intersection... (Don't try this one at home, kids!)



EDIT: Because the pic is small, here's Google's directions:

Merge onto I-235 S - 1.8 mi
Use the left lane to take exit 1A for I-40 E/US-62 E toward I-35 N/Wichita/Ft Smith - 0.3 mi
Merge onto I-40 E - 0.1 mi
Take the exit onto I-235 N - 0.4 mi
Use the left 2 lanes to take exit 126 for Interstate 40 W toward Amarillo - 0.6 mi
Merge onto I-40 W

[Roger S]

With the lane and ramp closures for this emergency repair work, Google is getting awfully creative on trying to route drivers through this intersection... (Don't try this one at home, kids!)

HA! Yeah between this, work on the park, and work on the boulevard.... Every morning makes my drive from Moore to Downtown a new adventure.

[stile99]

You know, I am 100% for self-driving cars, but until they get this crap sorted out or every car on the road is self-driving and communicates with every other car within a two mile radius, this sort of thing is just asking for trouble. As long as there are humans in the loop (pun slightly intended) there is just no way this path is happening, especially during rush hour.

[stratosphere]

Anybody know why I40 will have lane closures starting 1-3-18 and how long it is supposed to last?

Found it here:
https://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/ne...ticle_id=39031

It looks like this will go on until late january, weather permitting. I have been using I-44 to go east and then taking I-35 to get to I-40 eastbound.

[jompster]

It looks like this will go on until late january, weather permitting. I have been using I-44 to go east and then taking I-35 to get to I-40 eastbound.

I've been through this construction zone about 7 or 8 times and it hasn't been that bad. It's usually flowing well. It would still be nice to see the orange barrels gone sooner versus later.

[catch22]

I hate how they blocked a lane on I-235 N, it blocks the exit only lane onto a 2-laned ramp to I-40. They would have been better off just closing the lane, AFTER people exit I-235 and are on the ramp for I-40 west.

[OKCRT]

I've been through this construction zone about 7 or 8 times and it hasn't been that bad. It's usually flowing well. It would still be nice to see the orange barrels gone sooner versus later.

I have hit it a few times and it seems like it makes me about 12-15 minutes late every time. I wonder if they are working on this 24-7 like the big cities do or if they are using their normal bankers hours with no pressure to get anything done?

[Bellaboo]

East bound I-40 has opened back up to all lanes. The dip was fixed very well, as you can hardly notice a difference.

[jccouger]

East bound I-40 has opened back up to all lanes. The dip was fixed very well, as you can hardly notice a difference.

Thanks for the heads up!

[HangryHippo]

East bound I-40 has opened back up to all lanes. The dip was fixed very well, as you can hardly notice a difference.

I noticed this yesterday, but are they not doing anything to the outside (southernmost) lanes of I-40 EB? If they're already done, that's awesome, but I didn't know if the other lanes required work as well.

[Bellaboo]

I noticed this yesterday, but are they not doing anything to the outside (southernmost) lanes of I-40 EB? If they're already done, that's awesome, but I didn't know if the other lanes required work as well.

The boring issue didn't seem to impact the two outside lanes of eastbound I-40. I never felt a dip in those lanes like the two inside lanes. Now the westbound lanes seem to have a large dip in all 4 lanes, so I'd think they all get replaced. Just my opinion.

[jccouger]

Open fully both ways yet?

[midtownokcer]

Are the lights ever going to work on I-40? The entire stretch from the Amarillo junction to the Ft. Smith junction is completely dark.

Edit: Just went back a page or so and read why the lights aren't operating. It's just so frustrating that this is a heavily traveled thoroughfare and safety is a huge concern. It's also embarrassing when friends from out of town comment/ask about our freeways being so poorly lit.

[Bellaboo]

Open fully both ways yet?

Yes, early last week.

[bombermwc]

I emailed ODOT today about I-40 between I-44 and Meridian because the work left the road in such crappy condition compared to before the work.

Good news everyone! The work is not complete, but was suspended during the winter months. When they resume (in February when they see consistent warmer temps), they WILL be diamond grinding the surface and will actually also be sealing the concrete with an asphalt layer as well.

[catch22]

I emailed ODOT today about I-40 between I-44 and Meridian because the work left the road in such crappy condition compared to before the work.

Good news everyone! The work is not complete, but was suspended during the winter months. When they resume (in February when they see consistent warmer temps), they WILL be diamond grinding the surface and will actually also be sealing the concrete with an asphalt layer as well.

As in the top layer will be asphalt?

That is going to suck in 2 years. I-40 has a very large amount of semi-trucks. Asphalt is much softer than concrete and probably will be in bad shape after a few summers and winters of the heavy truck traffic pounding away at it.

[bombermwc]

Could be, but if they're able to resurface it more often like they did just west of this section, then i think we'll be better off. Remember, this is something like the 3rd time they've patched and planed the concrete here so there has to be some limit to how many times you can do that before you start compromising the road. And this last time definitely didn't last very long (all those huge cracks). Putting asphalt on top is a stop-gap to the eventual need to re-do the whole thing, which will be a LOT more intense, expensive, slow, etc.

[jompster]

As in the top layer will be asphalt?

That is going to suck in 2 years. I-40 has a very large amount of semi-trucks. Asphalt is much softer than concrete and probably will be in bad shape after a few summers and winters of the heavy truck traffic pounding away at it.

Yep. It's going to look like that I-40 bridge going over I-44. Remnants of a 2-inch thin top layer broken all to hell by snow plows and semi trucks. Can't wait!

[HangryHippo]

Yep. It's going to look like that I-40 bridge going over I-44. Remnants of a 2-inch thin top layer broken all to hell by snow plows and semi trucks. Can't wait!

It's unreal how bad it is.

[bombermwc]

That's great that we want it to be better, but how are we going to pay for it.

ODOT doesnt do these things because they think its the best way to handle it. They do it this way because that's what they can AFFORD. Remember, OK law is that we can't go into debt on projects...so no loans. We have to have the money in hand (bond/grant/tax/etc). So it cost what, a couple million to do this project this way and make it last another 20 years before the next evaluation. Compare that to the tens of millions it would cost to rip it up and re-concrete it.

I dont have any love for ODOT or anything, im just looking at this realistically. I've been a proponent of that extra 5-10 cent gas tax for roads. Being a consumption tax, the more you use, the more you pay since the more you use, the more you're tearing it up. So those semi's you speak of, pay a lot more. But heaven forbid we increase a tax here to pay for things. We all seem to want it without paying for it like some magic money fairy is going to come in and plant a tree that grows cash on the capital grounds.

Im interested in seeing what comes form this whole Step-Up campaign. A good flushing of the state legislature wouldn't hurt either.