The New I-40 (Construction Updates)

[Thunder]

Too bad nothing will be done about the I-40/I-44 interchange. I don't even think it is on the ODOT 8-year plan..... will it last that long? Seems to at least need some serious surface work done.

That part is very dangerous. Mom hate to drive out there when brother forces her to take him to work. Getting off of 40 onto 44 leaves very limited time and room to go from one side to the other side for the 15th street exit. People don't seem to know how to slow down and pay attention to signal light lane change. If the time comes that mom somehow get into an accident, ODOT will be sued. I'm curious how the new I-40 will correct it.

[mcca7596]

Thunder, while the interchange there sucks like most every other one in this city, it is the lane-changing driver's responsibility to MERGE. It is inconvenient and often dangerous to abruptly slow down to let someone onto the interstate or into another lane.

[ljbab728]

Yeah, I will be surprised if it is opened even by the end of 2012.

Also, there is an exit ramp to the new boulevard just east of Agnew; I don't see how traffic goes under there, there are multiple columns.

Most of the columns you're seeing are temporary construction columns which will later be removed.

[mcca7596]

Most of the columns you're seeing are temporary construction columns which will later be removed.

Thanks, I began wondering if that was the case.

[bombermwc]

Too bad nothing will be done about the I-40/I-44 interchange. I don't even think it is on the ODOT 8-year plan..... will it last that long? Seems to at least need some serious surface work done.

They "shaved" it a few years ago...it just didn't last. Then they put that slurry crap down...that didn't last either. But as bumpy as it is, at least it flows.

[SkyWestOKC]

It doesn't flow between 4PM and 7PM, or whenever there is rain.

[Snowman]

It doesn't flow between 4PM and 7PM, or whenever there is rain.

The start problems on i40/i44 interchange between 4 & 7 seem to be more due to i44 southbound than the exchange itself.

[mcca7596]

New Crosstown Expressway on Schedule

[theparkman81]

New Crosstown Expressway on Schedule

Cool.

[jn1780]

I don't see why there should be any major delays at this point. Most of the bridges are finished now. The last surfacing contract for the main stretch of road will be awarded next month.

17428(23)* 4 IS040 1.280 I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP 1.3, SURFACING FROM THE OKLAHOMA CITY CANAL WEST
OKCY -XTWN (004) 1.3 MI (OK134)(DEL FR 03-11, ADD TO 05-11; GRADING PROJ NOT FINISHED)
SURFACE 0 20,634,511 0 0 20,634,511
OKLAHOMA
PROPOSED BID OPENING DATE:05/2011

[HOT ROD]

any recent pics?

[ljbab728]

any recent pics?

There isn't anything new on their website. The newest video was from March.

http://40forward.com/

[jonno]

any recent pics?

Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find. Pictures were taken Monday the 16th.

View from Western Ave. looking west


View from future westbound on-ramp looking east at Western Ave. Bridge


MSE Retaining Wall with paint (I think this might be a test strip and the different textures of the walls will be different colors)


View from Western Ave. looking downtown with future intersection in foreground


View from Western Ave. looking downtown


I don't know where the sidewalk ends but this is where the pavement ends


View from Western Ave. looking east at Walker Ave. bridge construction



Sorry there aren't more but that's all I've got for now.

[kinggober]

Nice! Thanks!

[Thunder]

They should have gone more creative with the bridges. Instead of plain concrete color, make them creame/beige/tan with some sort of designs within the concrete.

[jonno]

They should have gone more creative with the bridges. Instead of plain concrete color, make them creame/beige/tan with some sort of designs within the concrete.

I think when all is said and done you will get pretty much exactly what you want.

[Watson410]

Thunder- You should REALLY check out the third picture jonno posted. You'll like it.

[Snowman]

They should have gone more creative with the bridges. Instead of plain concrete color, make them creame/beige/tan with some sort of designs within the concrete.

Since several started being tagged with graffiti a few months ago chance they may need it to look presentable by the time they are done.

[Thunder]

I really do not know why these gangs feel the need to vandalize the bridges and walls. Really happy that no one attempted to vandalize the buffalo murals along the walls on I-235. I just hope the state keep the exact paint colors on record in case they need to paint over vandalism.

I see the paint in the 3rd picture and thought it was only to be on those walls. Hoping they will do it on the bridges, too.

[Watson410]

They will paint the bridges too... I think they have already painted one, I'm thinking the Penn. Bridge but I can't remember exactly.

[Thunder]

Yeah, I saw the road on the Penn Bridge when I attempted to cross as instructed by the GPS. I did not see the side of the bridge, though, or at least did not pay attention to such detail.

I do want to note how WHITE the road are. They should be using asphalt (black) instead. It looks pretty and perfect now, but wait until vehicles start driving all over making it look awful with oil drips, tire marks, and whatever. Not just the bridges, but the entire new I-40.

[Watson410]

Cement is much more durable and better than asphalt. I would much rather have a road that last longer than one that looks cool but 6 months later (first winter freeze) there's huge pot holes all over the place... That's how all these patch jobs start. Then it for sure won't look cool at all!!

[jn1780]

I do want to note how WHITE the road are. They should be using asphalt (black) instead. It looks pretty and perfect now, but wait until vehicles start driving all over making it look awful with oil drips, tire marks, and whatever. Not just the bridges, but the entire new I-40.

It eventually turns into that classic grayish color you expect roads to be and stays like that for the next 20 years before having to rehabilitate it. Asphalt only looks nice for the first 3-4 years then you have all the pot hole patches and tar lines where they fill in cracks to prevent future potholes. I actually prefer the concrete look maybe its a mental thing because I know concrete is better.

[Larry OKC]

And with the price of oil, asphalt would probably add another $500M to the cost. Apparently that is the reason behind only getting 32 of the promised 57 miles of Trails in MAPS 3

[Thunder]

Is it possible for concrete to be mixed with another color?