Road Construction in Edmond

[Plutonic Panda]

Air Depot. You’re right. Sorry I was really tired last night(mid terms and work lol).

[Plutonic Panda]

There are some weird typos on that post and the website is not letting me correct them. Apologies for that.

Though they are listed in this thread, I'll list them again to add to that list. Other projects in Edmond include:

Widening Air Depot and Covell Intersection Area

They will widen the roads in this area to accommodate the future high school which is rumored to be built in the early 2020's. I suspect these projects will begin at that time. They plan on adding a signalized intersection as well.

I-35 Service Roads

OkDOT plans to completely reconfigure the service roads along I-35. There are various alternatives but I suspect they will opt for the one way conversion with Texas turn arounds. These are very efficient in moving traffic. This will be somewhat significant project but I don't see it happening for awhile(after 2020 maybe even 2025 with OkDOT's current budget situation but I'm hopefully that will be fixed).

https://www.ok.gov/odot/Programs_and.../20171026.html

Sooner Rd. & Danforth

Danforth widened to 4 lanes(unsure if divided but I suspect it won't be) and a new signal at Sooner RD. and Danforth. I was under the impression that they were wanting to get this started by 2020 or sooner but I wonder if they pushed it back to fast track the Covell widening. I think the Kelly and Danforth project was originally going to start in 2019 but now they say 2021 and again, I think that has to do with with Covell project.

Waterloo and I-35 interchange

Not technically Edmond but close enough. Will construct the states first DDI(Diverging Diamond Interchange), widen the ramps, and add room for a third lane in each direction on I-35.



https://www.ok.gov/odot/I-35_and_Waterloo_Road.html

SH-66 in East Edmond

Will widen SH-66 to 4 lanes from Post RD. east of Edmond city limits.

[oklip955]

One of the things I will comment on the the road on northside to connect I-35 with SH 74. It would have to be north of Waterloo due to the cost of buying out a lot of expensive homes. I would say 4 or 5 miles north of Waterloo. Alot of the ideas would also nessesitate buying out of other expensive property. I put my guess that traffic is going to only be worst in years to come as more areas of Edmond develop as large homes on small lots.

[Plutonic Panda]

One of the things I will comment on the the road on northside to connect I-35 with SH 74. It would have to be north of Waterloo due to the cost of buying out a lot of expensive homes. I would say 4 or 5 miles north of Waterloo. Alot of the ideas would also nessesitate buying out of other expensive property. I put my guess that traffic is going to only be worst in years to come as more areas of Edmond develop as large homes on small lots.

Yeah and it doesn't seem like any planning at all is going into a regional freeway network around this area. Unless something is done now, they will end up having dodging home developments left and right being a curvy freeway. The sprawl is now starting to engulf South Logan County and we are looking at a decade or so before it fills in the gap between Edmond and Guthrie. They should at least start planning for this now and preserving ROW.

There is a fairly large new home development proposed just south of Waterloo and north of Sorgum Mill taking up a huge swath of land. I think it's around 300ish. Can't remember off the top of my head but I do know they are giving almost no room for ramps to connect Sorgum Mill to I-35. I still need to message the city about that.

[brianinok]

Does anyone know if they plan to add traffic lights to the on/off ramps at Covell / I-35? This area continues to get worse, especially at high traffic times or when Francis Tuttle classes let out. It will only get worse as more businesses open up at the interchange.

[brianinok]

For those interested, I asked the City of Edmond via twitter if they planned to put traffic lights here. They responded to me that it was ODOT's responsibility and call because of I-35. So I asked ODOT via twitter. They DM'd me and said it was the City of Edmond's responsibility and that they would clear that up with them.

[TheTravellers]

For those interested, I asked the City of Edmond via twitter if they planned to put traffic lights here. They responded to me that it was ODOT's responsibility and call because of I-35. So I asked ODOT via twitter. They DM'd me and said it was the City of Edmond's responsibility and that they would clear that up with them.

Unbelievable how uncoordinated ODOT, OTA, cities and OG&E are from each other, this is the 21st freaking century, how can they *still* be this stupid?

[Zorba]

For those interested, I asked the City of Edmond via twitter if they planned to put traffic lights here. They responded to me that it was ODOT's responsibility and call because of I-35. So I asked ODOT via twitter. They DM'd me and said it was the City of Edmond's responsibility and that they would clear that up with them.

I would think it was ODOT's responsibility, since they own the interchanges and they also are who just did all the road improvements right there. The city should be pushing them to install lights though.

[Zorba]

Does anyone know if they plan to add traffic lights to the on/off ramps at Covell / I-35? This area continues to get worse, especially at high traffic times or when Francis Tuttle classes let out. It will only get worse as more businesses open up at the interchange.

They put in a light at the golf course that gets ~200 cars a day, what more do you want? Oh and they put in the no U-turn sign so city employees could get out easier, blocking the the ramp traffic even more. Outside of annoyance to city employees, there is no justification for that sign.

[Plutonic Panda]

Does anyone know if they plan to add traffic lights to the on/off ramps at Covell / I-35? This area continues to get worse, especially at high traffic times or when Francis Tuttle classes let out. It will only get worse as more businesses open up at the interchange.

PS, this project starts in exactly one week on the 29th. Usually I don’t want more lights but this should help immensely with the backups:

“ On Wednesday, September 29th, construction will begin for off-ramp improvements at the intersection of I-35 and Covell Raod. This work is expected to last approximately 90 days with cooperative weather.

During this project, the off-ramps will be widened, traffic signals will be installed, and numerous pedestrian improvements will be made including sidewalk connections and road crossings. There will not be any lane closures during the project, but motorists should expect some slow-downs due to the construction activity in the area.

This contractor for the project is All Roads Paving. The total cost is $1,735,628.98 with the City of Edmond providing 100% of the funding.”

- https://www.edmondok.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=859

[BoulderSooner]

PS, this project starts in exactly one week on the 29th. Usually I don’t want more lights but this should help immensely with the backups:

“ On Wednesday, September 29th, construction will begin for off-ramp improvements at the intersection of I-35 and Covell Raod. This work is expected to last approximately 90 days with cooperative weather.

During this project, the off-ramps will be widened, traffic signals will be installed, and numerous pedestrian improvements will be made including sidewalk connections and road crossings. There will not be any lane closures during the project, but motorists should expect some slow-downs due to the construction activity in the area.

This contractor for the project is All Roads Paving. The total cost is $1,735,628.98 with the City of Edmond providing 100% of the funding.”

- https://www.edmondok.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=859

finally ..... they have been waiting for the lights to come it ..

[Plutonic Panda]

According to recent minutes the Covell Parkway has been downgraded from a divided road with a median to no media and the blame is laying on the bike master plan which makes no sense. I really dislike the current mayor and hearing this from him just makes me angry but what can you do. The section between BLVD. and Coltrane will be a typical undivided road with no median.

[Plutonic Panda]

It appears on this issue I actually agree with the new mayor which is shocking to me:

A good read:

https://www.edmondsun.com/news/local...1a5c4af14.html

[scottk]

It appears on this issue I actually agree with the new mayor which is shocking to me:

A good read:

https://www.edmondsun.com/news/local...1a5c4af14.html

Same. Keep Covell wide and divided and continue the same design from I-35 to Portland (or just past Santa Fe/city limits)

The current section of Covell between Santa Fe to Blvd/Broadway is so desirable because it is wide, and has a divided median the entire length.

[mugofbeer]

^^^^^^^^^^ !!

Plus, I'd like to see them give Covell traffic light advantage to make it a primary east-west artery from l-35 to the Parkway.

[Plutonic Panda]

My opinions, this is a good plan but soooo many of these projects were needed about 10 years ago. The Danforth and Sooner intersection is horrible. I'm also not sure why they feel the need for new traffic signal at the uptown Grocery entrance. I suppose it could help consolidate traffic but they should have intregraterd this entire development with Covell Village Dr. and then the could have moved the main road leading to Mitch and YMCA further east and realign it to match. Instead Edmond will what it typically does and add traffic signals everywhere due to poor planning and slowing traffic.

Edmond also needs to really think about six laning more roads and working with OKDOT to turn parts of Broadway into a freeway and also working to get a new freeway loop around Edmond and NW OKC.

I understand this takes some serious money and I get Edmond in partly in a spot because of restrictive the state is in how they can collect taxes. That needs to be fixed and meanwhile Edmond needs to find way to collect more revenue to spend on roads.

[scottk]

Instead Edmond will what it typically does and add traffic signals everywhere due to poor planning and slowing traffic.

Edmond also needs to really think about six laning more roads and working with OKDOT to turn parts of Broadway into a freeway and also working to get a new freeway loop around Edmond and NW OKC.

This.

The lack of future planning and traffic flow around the city is mind boggling. Covell widening, Uptown Grocery and North Lowes were a clean slate, and within ten years the solution to any congested intersection is just put up another stop light? So from Santa Fe to Kelly there will be a total of 4 stop lights?

I have yet to see the benefits of the intelligent light system. It does not matter if I am going east bound or west bound on Covell, I always hit the Thomas Trails stoplight on Covell after Broadway/Kelly.
The same red light shuffle going southbound on Broadway to the freeway or east/west on 2nd Street from Bryant to Santa Fe. One does not simply drive through Edmond.

I thought the whole point of the Covell widening was to eventually have a wide "expressway" type traffic flow from I35 to Portland/HWY 74? That does not happen with stoplights every 300 yards.

[Plutonic Panda]

The traffic projects page has been updated and includes a few new projects I'll list below.

New Projects:

"Covell and Cheyenne Middle School/Uptown Market

This project will construct a traffic signal light at the intersection to provide for safer movements onto Covell Road. This project will be funded using 100% city funds from the 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax. The estimate cost is $400,000. The anticipated start is Fall 2021.

December 2020 update: Staff is negotiating consultant design fees and will present contract at upcoming Public Works Committee and City Council.''


"Phase 4, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) on 33rd Street, Boulevard, and Bryant

This project consists of installing 11 miles of fiber optic cable and replacing the traffic signal cabinets and controllers and associated signal equipment at 22 intersections on 33rd Street from Broadway to Coltrane and on Boulevard from 33rd to 2nd St and on Bryant from 33rd to 2nd St in order to bring them into compliance with the National Transportation Communication for Intelligent Transportation System Protocol (NTCIP) standards. These intersections will connect to the Traffic Management Center via fiber optics and wireless communication network.
The estimated construction cost is currently unknown. The City will apply for 80% Federal funds with the remaining 20% from the 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. After completion of the phase 4 project, 85% of the traffic signals in Edmond will be following the latest standards while the remaining 15% are running off older technology.

December 2020 update: Staff is negotiating consultant design fees and will present at upcoming Public Works Committee and City Council."


"2nd Street/Edmond Rd ADA improvements

This project consists of reconstructing portions of sidewalks and wheelchair ramps that do not currently meet compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Current construction cost is estimated at $3,807,000. City staff will apply for 80% federal funding with the remaining 20% from the 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax. Construction date is currently unknown.

December 2020 update: Staff is negotiating consultant design fees and will present contract at an upcoming Public Works Committee and City Council."

Updated projects:

"Danforth and Sooner

This project consists of widening Danforth and Sooner intersection to include left turn lanes, two through lanes, and where possible right turn lanes. The intersection will be signalized. Retaining walls will be necessary on Danforth west of Sooner due to the existing grades. Estimated construction cost is $9,772,988. This project was approved for $7,500,000 in federal funds with the remaining $2,272,988 in City funds from the 2017 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. The anticipated start date is in 2023/24.


December 2020 update: design is 56% complete. The scope of project has expanded to include widening in front of the Francis Tuttle building with left and right turn lanes and a signal light at School Street which is the main entrance to the Francis Tuttle facility."

"Danforth and Kelly

This project will widen the intersection to a four-lane divided road with dual left turn lanes and separate right turn lanes. A new signal light will be installed and connected to the Traffic Management Center. The project extents will be approximately 1400 feet east, west and south and 500 feet to the north.
The estimated cost is $6,190,143. The City will receive 80% Federal funds with 20% City funds from the 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. The project is currently listed in federal fiscal 2022.

December 2020 update: The environmental review in under way at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). ODOT has this project listed for funding in Federal Fiscal Year 2022."


"2nd and Boulevard

This project consists of adding dual left turn lanes, two through lanes, and a right turn lane for Southbound direction and one left turn lane, two through lanes, and one right turn lane for Northbound direction. No widening will occur on 2nd Street due to limited right-of-way. New signal lights will be installed and connected back to the Traffic Management Center. Current construction estimate is $2,027,300 and will be funded with 100% City funds from the 2017 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. Construction date is currently unknown.

December 2020 update: City was able to secure an easement from the First Christian Church which will allow additional improvements to the westbound direction that were not part of the original contract. Those improvements consist of two through lanes, one left turn lane, and one right turn lane. The existing offset alignment in the westbound direction will be improved. The construction plans are currently 52% complete. Construction is anticipated in 2022."

There is a full comprehensive list here: https://www.edmondok.com/802/Future-...ction-Projects

[Plutonic Panda]

They also have a new section listing "concrete reconstruction projects" and list Kelly and 33rd as one of the intersections to be completely reconstructed. Other smaller projects around the city are listed and they also include peripheral sidewalk improvements fixing some really headscratcher pieces like the photo shown near Chowning and Ayers. I don't even know how sh1t like that happens.

https://www.edmondok.com/DocumentCen...ction-Projects

[tsou89]

Edmond thinks the solution to every traffic problem is a stop light. The only exception is where they really need them because the intersection isn't safe. The intersection of Homestead Blvd and Danforth has had several accidents yet the city doesn't do anything including marking the road so people know how to turn. I've personally witnessed 3 within the last year or so.

The best thing the city does is make sure stop lights interrupt the traffic flow of major streets so one car can pull out of random strip malls!

[hipsterdoofus]

Danforth and Kelly

This project will widen the intersection to a four-lane divided road

Anyone remember when that was a stop sign with 2 lanes each way (and maybe left turn lanes too). No one could figure out when to go because you'd have 8 cars pull up at the same time. I think they upgraded it about the time Walmart went in on Santa Fe.

[oklip955]

Yep I used to ride to Danforth and kelly back in the early 80's as in ride horses there and around town.

[Plutonic Panda]

No I don’t remember that. How long ago was that?

[GoGators]

Edmond traffic will never be alleviated because the problem isn’t with stop lights or the amount of lanes. The problem is there is zero grid and all traffic is forced to one through street every mile. You can’t design your way out of that problem.

[Plutonic Panda]

Edmond traffic will never be alleviated because the problem isn’t with stop lights or the amount of lanes. The problem is there is zero grid and all traffic is forced to one through street every mile. You can’t design your way out of that problem.

More lanes would easily alleviate much of the congestion. But I’ll wait your strongtowns article about “induced demand” or other bullsh!t akin to that theory.