Driving Forward OK - Oklahoma Turnpike Improvements and New Construction

[Laramie]

IIRC, just to create an HOV lane, it takes 2-3 lanes to configure; then, there's the personnel needed to monitor those lanes and remove those concrete block barriers daily to adjust to the traffic flow needs used to make the process work for the rush hour--not to mention what happens if someone's vehicle stalled in that lane. The traffic concerns in Dallas is an example of interchange constipation.

Just don't see an immediate need for an HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane in OKC or Tulsa for that matter. Our traffic doesn't mimic the congestion in a mega market like Dallas' I-635 or I-30--where they have traffic concerns throughout a typical Saturday with mammoth congestion throughout the week. Oklahoma City does need to complete a loop around it for future growth and build more of a spoke wheel interchange into its core.

When I lived in DFW Metroplex, the traffic (I-635, I-820, I-35, I-30, I-20) has always been a nightmare. The gasoline exhausted navigating thru traffic was a driveability challenge in more ways than one. Those gas guzzlers were often times seen straddled on the shoulders of the interstates.

There were conversations about this in OKC long before they moved I-40 crosstown 4 blocks south with emphasis on the interchanges that would affect the connectivity of the Amarillo, Dallas & Fort Smith junctions.

The only expressway where we could do that effectively would be the new I-40 crosstown--just don't see the need.

Some background links:

40 Forward: Oklahoma's I-40 Crosstown Expressway

Historic I-40 Crosstown | Abandoned Oklahoma

High Priority Corridors @ AARoads: Interstates 29 and 35 (Corridor 23)

[Scott5114]

IIRC, just to create an HOV lane, it takes 2-3 lanes to configure; then, there's the personnel needed to monitor those lanes and remove those concrete block barriers daily to adjust to the traffic flow needs used to make the process work for the rush hour--not to mention what happens if someone's vehicle stalled in that lane. The traffic concerns in Dallas is an example of interchange constipation.

You're thinking of reversible express lanes. None of that is necessary for HOV lanes; they're just an extra lane that is restricted to cars with 2+ passengers. The only extra personnel needed is for law enforcement to pull over solo drivers in the HOV lane. The HOV lane always travels in the same direction so there is no need to move barriers.

You might also be thinking of HOT (high-occupancy toll) lanes. This is a HOV lane that also has toll-collection facilities, so that those who would not otherwise be allowed in the lane can access it by paying a toll. Usually this is done with something like Pikepass so the only extra personnel are people handling the billing (which in Oklahoma's case would be someone already at OTA).

Not that OKC is at a point in its growth that we need HOV lanes yet.

[Plutonic Panda]

IIRC, just to create an HOV lane, it takes 2-3 lanes to configure; then, there's the personnel needed to monitor those lanes and remove those concrete block barriers daily to adjust to the traffic flow needs used to make the process work for the rush hour--not to mention what happens if someone's vehicle stalled in that lane. The traffic concerns in Dallas is an example of interchange constipation.

wrong. I'm not talking about the overly complex single reverse HOV lanes that you see in Dallas. I am talking about regular HOV lanes on each side of the highway. In a lot of cases for the short term, they don't even require a lane to be removed, you can re-stripe the left shoulder to make an HOV lane. That's it. No new personal needed either. Implement a new law regarding the HOV lanes and have the current police officers enforce it. Simple.

Let me make this clear as well, I am not talking about going crazy with HOV lanes around OKC. The first HOV lanes and the only ones I want to see for awhile would be on I-35 south to Norman. Outside of rush hour, it would become a regular lane.

[catch22]

wrong. I'm not talking about the overly complex single reverse HOV lanes that you see in Dallas. I am talking about regular HOV lanes on each side of the highway. In a lot of cases for the short term, they don't even require a lane to be removed, you can re-stripe the left shoulder to make an HOV lane. That's it. No new personal needed either. Implement a new law regarding the HOV lanes and have the current police officers enforce it. Simple.

Let me make this clear as well, I am talking about going crazy with HOV lanes around OKC. The first HOV lanes and the only ones I want to see for awhile would be on I-35 south to Norman. Outside of rush hour, it would become a regular lane.

Correct. Here is the HOV lane on I-5 in Portland.



It is only restricted to 2+ occupants Monday thru Friday 3pm-6pm

I think the southbound lane to downtown is M-F 5-8am.

[Laramie]

Correct. Here is the HOV lane on I-5 in Portland.



It is only restricted to 2+ occupants Monday thru Friday 3pm-6pm

I think the southbound lane to downtown is M-F 5-8am.

Okay, Thanks catch22--I get it...


Couldn't erase the memories of Driving I-30 (HOV) from Fort Worth to exit onto Dallas Ferguson Road.