I-35 / I-240 Exchange

[SoonerDave]

SoonerDave: I have always wondered about that area and am asking honest questions...what are the stats for the Shield's onramp? How does that compare to other areas of the City? In other words, is that area above the norm (accidents, injuries & fatalities)?

I would very much like to know, Larry. I don't have the stats, just my own eyeballs as I drive the westbound side of that road every workday on the way home, and I don't think its an exaggeration at all to suggest that there is some substantial accident at that location during rush hour at least two out of the five regular work weekdays (M-F). I would say, but without the same level of confidence, that at least one of those accidents required ambulance transportation for at least one of the involved folks. I don't know how I'd go about collecting or researching that data, but it surely would be nice to have.

See, for me, many of the upgrades and changes to various roadways in the OKC area are due to very practical things like easing congestion, rerouting, accommodating more current road use information, replacing old structures, and all of those are perfectly reasonable motives. But this business of seeing someone in an accident, typically multiple times per week, potentially seriously if not fatally injured, with the design of the interchange largely the reason, just compels me to get off my duff and grump about it somehow. If, for whatever reason over whatever period of time, OKDOT made this mess, I think it should be incumbent on them to make cleaning it up a priority. Even if part of that long-term solution includes a short-term nuisance of closing an exacerbating entrance ramp.

[warreng88]

From the ODOT eight year plan link: http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/cwp-8...021_OCARTS.pdf

I-35/I-240 Interchange
FFY 2015 Grade, Drain & Surface $16,109,500
FFY 2015 Right Of Way $5,468,991
FFY 2015 Utilities $5,623,800
FFY 2018 Interchange $14,233,431
FFY 2020 Interchange $24,881,850
FFY 2021 Interchange $16,000,000
FFY 2021 Interchange $31,000,000
Total $113,317,572

[Plutonic Panda]

This is what they need to build here:



I don't understand why Oklahoma highway construction is so small scale thinking when we could be building awesome interchanges like this. I've pretty much given up hope for the 235/44 interchange which will likely have regular back-ups in 10 years(the day they finish it, if OKC keep booming and grows faster).... they still have a chance to do this interchange right, so lets hope they do. These inferior hybrid interchanges need to stay out of OKC for major interchanges.

[HangryHippo]

This is what they need to build here:



I don't understand why Oklahoma highway construction is so small scale thinking when we could be building awesome interchanges like this. I've pretty much given up hope for the 235/44 interchange which will likely have regular back-ups in 10 years(the day they finish it, if OKC keep booming and grows faster).... they still have a chance to do this interchange right, so lets hope they do. These inferior hybrid interchanges need to stay out of OKC for major interchanges.

I absolutely agree with this.

[Snowman]

This is what they need to build here:



I don't understand why Oklahoma highway construction is so small scale thinking when we could be building awesome interchanges like this. I've pretty much given up hope for the 235/44 interchange which will likely have regular back-ups in 10 years(the day they finish it, if OKC keep booming and grows faster).... they still have a chance to do this interchange right, so lets hope they do. These inferior hybrid interchanges need to stay out of OKC for major interchanges.

The reason it is being built staggered out is we do not even really have the money to maintain the level of infrastructure we already have, let alone build in extra capacity that just would be nice to have (over the fact that the new structure add significantly larger capacity).

[CaptDave]

The reason it is being built staggered out is we do not even really have the money to maintain the level of infrastructure we already have, let alone build in extra capacity that just would be nice to have (over the fact that the new structure add significantly larger capacity).

But we will be getting a 0.25% income tax cut!! Yay for the $50....

That, and the legislature's unwillingness use of bonds to fund infrastructure when rates are at historic lows, are indications the people of Oklahoma are not being well served by the crowd at 23rd & Lincoln.

[HangryHippo]

But we will be getting a 0.25% income tax cut!! Yay for the $50....

That, and the legislature's unwillingness use of bonds to fund infrastructure when rates are at historic lows, are indications the people of Oklahoma are not being well served by the crowd at 23rd & Lincoln.

Exactly. They have no interest in bettering Oklahoma, it's all about the stupid tax cut.

[HangryHippo]

The reason it is being built staggered out is we do not even really have the money to maintain the level of infrastructure we already have, let alone build in extra capacity that just would be nice to have (over the fact that the new structure add significantly larger capacity).

Stacked interchanges aren't just "nice to have". They are safer to use.

[CaptDave]

^ I think that is one of two locations that type interchange would be appropriate. Maybe I44/I40 - but the 240/35 needs it far worse.

[HangryHippo]

^ I think that is one of two locations that type interchange would be appropriate. Maybe I44/I40 - but the 240/35 needs it far worse.

I want to see interchanges like that at I-40/I-44, I-240/I-35, and I-35/I-235/I-40 and I-44/I-235. It's too late on the last one I guess, but the other should absolutely be redone with stack interchanges.

[Plutonic Panda]

I want to see interchanges like that at I-40/I-44, I-240/I-35, and I-35/I-235/I-40 and I-44/I-235. It's too late on the last one I guess, but the other should absolutely be redone with stack interchanges.

I've got nice little rendering of that. I'll post it, I just want to add some touch ups to make it look nicer.

[venture]

Something of larger scale like that would be appropriate there because of the amount of traffic it handles. I'm not sure an exact replica in scale, but similar in design and more efficient than the old cloverleaf. It's not going to happen though and I highly doubt I'll still be living here by the time they finish it.

[Plutonic Panda]

Is there any legislation at all proposed to allow ODOT to take out loans for road construction?

[Plutonic Panda]

It'd be nice if ODOT would take out a billion dollar loan to fund doing these interchanges into stack and doing them right the first time as well as other important road construction. Also it could fund other high-priority road and highway projects such as the Purcell/Lexington bridge.

[bchris02]

For Oklahoma politicians, it's all about being able to have a bullet list of conservative talking points whenever running for re-election. That is the only reason for the tax cuts. In my opinion, people who care that much about job security should be in a field other than public service.

[Plutonic Panda]

So angry about this it isn't even funny. This sucks. It really sucks. I hate this crap. Why are there cloverleafs????? Makes no damn sense. There doesn't need to be any cloverleafs AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why can they not do this the right way? I don't understand it. For a department that unfairly gives highways over walkable areas, they sure suck at building nice highways.

News | The Moore Daily

[bchris02]

So angry about this it isn't even funny. This sucks. It really sucks. I hate this crap. Why are there cloverleafs????? Makes no damn sense. There doesn't need to be any cloverleafs AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why can they not do this the right way? I don't understand it. For a department that unfairly gives highways over walkable areas, they sure suck at building nice highways.

News | The Moore Daily

I agree with you.

If this is the plan, I don't see the point in even redoing it at all and creating the years-long traffic nightmare during the construction. A huge disappointment.

[catch22]

I agree with you.

If this is the plan, I don't see the point in even redoing it at all and creating the years-long traffic nightmare during the construction. A huge disappointment.

It will improve it a ton. There will be no more dual-speed merging as everything has a protected lane. As it currently stands, you have traffic trying to slow down to enter the merge lane while traffic is trying to speed up to enter the merge lane. The new design does not have anywhere where merging exists at slow speeds, and exiting traffic willnot be sharing lanes with entering traffic.

Will be excellent for safety, as there are dozens of injury and fatality wrecks at this interchange every week.

[venture]

I agree with you.

If this is the plan, I don't see the point in even redoing it at all and creating the years-long traffic nightmare during the construction. A huge disappointment.

Did you ever bother to read the comments or actually look to understand how traffic will flow? No...I didn't think so.

[jn1780]

Did you ever bother to read the comments or actually look to understand how traffic will flow? No...I didn't think so.

Can't go 80mph on a cloverleaf. That's why he hates it.

[Plutonic Panda]

Did you ever bother to read the comments or actually look to understand how traffic will flow? No...I didn't think so.

Did you even bother to think about whether the thread I created pertaining to the Stillwater airport was to create a general thread to keep of track of all the updates as opposed to specific thread that I already knew existed that was only to post about future commercial flight options for the airport? No...I didn't think so.

Whatever. It isn't hard to look at a graphic and understand how the traffic will flow on this.

[ljbab728]

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/3955086?embargo=1

Here’s what Larry Clore, of the state Transportation Department, can tell you, David:

“The department has been working to get this project started for years now, and we are finally getting close to beginning the construction process,” he said.

“We agree that this area needs some work and that is why the project is on our radar and in ODOT’s Eight-Year Construction Work Plan.

“We are currently acquiring rights of way and in 2015 will begin moving utilities. Construction is expected to begin in 2016, and as your reader stated, the Shields ramp to eastbound I-240 will close and the new eastbound I-240 to southbound I-35 will be built.

“There are no plans to close this ramp until construction begins because businesses in the area have been promised access. When construction is complete businesses will have better access in the area and the weaving motion the reader mentioned will be eliminated.”

[jn1780]

"There are no plans to close this ramp until construction begins because businesses in the area have been promised access. When construction is complete businesses will have better access in the area and the weaving motion the reader mentioned will be eliminated.”

They say this, but the plans I have seen in the past doesn't really give people coming from Shields any better access after construction.


Closing a bridge that is about to collapse is also inconvient, but it has to be done in order to insure safety.

[bombermwc]

They COULD set up shields access to eastbound 240, but because it's so close to the junction, it would require flyovers to link the traffic to both the 35 and 240 paths. It would be pretty messy to say the least. The extra downside to this is that there is no other eastbound ramp until you back track all the way to walker...a full mile and SEVERAL lights to the west.

I really would prefer the flyover option....it's done in Texas at every interchange. But ODOT is gonna do it on the cheap like usual.

[SoonerDave]

In the interests of full disclosure, I should note that the letter inspiring that column is mine. It had been a couple of weeks since I sent it, and actually thought they had opted not to respond. I've sent a note of thanks to Mr. Gammill for his time, interest, and responsiveness. I also told him I found the ODOT's response to be entirely less than adequate.

The "businesses have been promised access" is a 1st class lame excuse. They don't contribute one penny to the damage, injury, and inconvenience to the people who are ultimately paying the price for their convenience.

I'm all for accommodating businesses to a reasonable extent, but driving by an accident every other day just so the local car dealer's delivery truck or what-have-you doesn't have to go two or three miles out of his way to get to I-240 E is asinine. Think the folks who get hurt there should get to send those businesses part of the bill.

I'd even support a compromise - if businesses truly have their knickers in a wad over the idea of closing that ramp, then leave it open during the day, but then close it just around rush hour - say from 3pm to 6pm in the evening. Put a barrier on it. But that costs a lot more money than just closing the thing permanently.