I-44 Widening

[The Cynic]

OK, I've seen for months now all this talk about the upcoming I-44 widening project.  They specifically state the project involves the portion between Riverside and Yale.

My question is, the portion from Yale to Sheridan is only 4 lanes as well.  Are the really going to make it 6 lanes most of the way through, but leave a strech <1 mile that is just 4 lanes?

Common sense says they wouldn't do anything that stupid, but I'm getting worried that the Yale-to-Sheridan portion never gets mentioned.....

[grahambino]

Dear The Cynic,

We don't take kindly to your common sense, mister.

Sincerely,

The State of Oklahoma.

[sgrizzle]

Most of that was already expanded, but striped as 4 lanes. There is one narrow section under 41st that needs widening, but I believe the rest is done.

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Most of that was already expanded, but striped as 4 lanes. There is one narrow section under 41st that needs widening, but I believe the rest is done.

That section has a $19 million widening project slated for next year.

Unless of course the money is diverted to the big dig highway project in Oklahoma City.

[TeeDub]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Most of that was already expanded, but striped as 4 lanes. There is one narrow section under 41st that needs widening, but I believe the rest is done.

It is done to just past the Yale bridge.   There is about mile to almost the BA that still needs to be done.   This will also have to include the bridge over Darlington.

[OUGrad05]

quote:Originally posted by swake

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Most of that was already expanded, but striped as 4 lanes. There is one narrow section under 41st that needs widening, but I believe the rest is done.

That section has a $19 million widening project slated for next year.

Unless of course the money is diverted to the big dig highway project in Oklahoma City.

I think its possible OKC get some of that money if there were a major funding crunch but I doubt it'll get that bad.  And if it does the crosstown in OKC needs it far more than I44.

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by OUGrad05

quote:Originally posted by swake

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Most of that was already expanded, but striped as 4 lanes. There is one narrow section under 41st that needs widening, but I believe the rest is done.

That section has a $19 million widening project slated for next year.

Unless of course the money is diverted to the big dig highway project in Oklahoma City.

I think its possible OKC get some of that money if there were a major funding crunch but I doubt it'll get that bad.  And if it does the crosstown in OKC needs it far more than I44.

Why?

[okcpulse]

Gee, I don't know, swake.  Could be that concrete junks keep falling from the bridge on a monthly basis?  Or how about those rusted expansion joints?  You Tulsans do realize this is a 2.5 mile bridge we are talking about and not a grade level highway, right?

The Crosstown bridge is costing ODOT $1 million per month on average in emergency repairs.  It's a fracture-critical bridge.  If one pylon goes, the whole structure crashes.  Redecking is out of the question.  This bridge is too old for that.  

Have you ever stood underneath the Crosstown.  It's creepy.  The f-ing thing vibrates whenever heavy trucks come barreling across the bridge.  The Crosstown Bridge was built in 1966, designed to withstand the weight of 72,000 cars per day.  Today, that bridge carries 138,000 cars a day.

Some in Tulsa, after some recent conversations I've had, are confusing the Crosstown Bridge with the Centennial Bridge on I-235 that goes by the state capitol complex and midtown.  that bridge opened in 1989, and is in good condition.  No maintenance is needed or planned.  Other Tulsans are also confusing the Crosstown Bridge with the I-40/I-35 interchange over the North Canadian River 1.5 miles east of downtown.  That was a completely seperate project that began in 1987 and was completed in 2000.  The previous interchange was poorly built, cheaply built, poorly designed and downright dangerous.

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by okcpulse

Gee, I don't know, swake.  Could be that concrete junks keep falling from the bridge on a monthly basis?  Or how about those rusted expansion joints?  You Tulsans do realize this is a 2.5 mile bridge we are talking about and not a grade level highway, right?

The Crosstown bridge is costing ODOT $1 million per month on average in emergency repairs.  It's a fracture-critical bridge.  If one pylon goes, the whole structure crashes.  Redecking is out of the question.  This bridge is too old for that.  

Have you ever stood underneath the Crosstown.  It's creepy.  The f-ing thing vibrates whenever heavy trucks come barreling across the bridge.  The Crosstown Bridge was built in 1966, designed to withstand the weight of 72,000 cars per day.  Today, that bridge carries 138,000 cars a day.

Some in Tulsa, after some recent conversations I've had, are confusing the Crosstown Bridge with the Centennial Bridge on I-235 that goes by the state capitol complex and midtown.  that bridge opened in 1989, and is in good condition.  No maintenance is needed or planned.  Other Tulsans are also confusing the Crosstown Bridge with the I-40/I-35 interchange over the North Canadian River 1.5 miles east of downtown.  That was a completely seperate project that began in 1987 and was completed in 2000.  The previous interchange was poorly built, cheaply built, poorly designed and downright dangerous.

You probably do not want to come on these forums with that kind of attitude.  Tulsan's for years have been shunned by our great state govt in OKC for far too long regarding funding for road repairs.  Probably a bone you don't want to pick my friend

District 8 Transportation Commissioner Guy Berry was quoted in the Tulsa World as saying "This is definitely one of the worst stretches of interstate highway in America," Berry, who represents Tulsa and parts of northeast Oklahoma, said. "Quite frankly, it may well be the worst stretch." Designed for 55,000 vehicles a day, the highway averages 90,000 vehicles a day.

People in Tulsa are sick and tired of paying taxes and getting nothing in return!

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by TUalum0982

quote:Originally posted by okcpulse

Gee, I don't know, swake.  Could be that concrete junks keep falling from the bridge on a monthly basis?  Or how about those rusted expansion joints?  You Tulsans do realize this is a 2.5 mile bridge we are talking about and not a grade level highway, right?

The Crosstown bridge is costing ODOT $1 million per month on average in emergency repairs.  It's a fracture-critical bridge.  If one pylon goes, the whole structure crashes.  Redecking is out of the question.  This bridge is too old for that.  

Have you ever stood underneath the Crosstown.  It's creepy.  The f-ing thing vibrates whenever heavy trucks come barreling across the bridge.  The Crosstown Bridge was built in 1966, designed to withstand the weight of 72,000 cars per day.  Today, that bridge carries 138,000 cars a day.

Some in Tulsa, after some recent conversations I've had, are confusing the Crosstown Bridge with the Centennial Bridge on I-235 that goes by the state capitol complex and midtown.  that bridge opened in 1989, and is in good condition.  No maintenance is needed or planned.  Other Tulsans are also confusing the Crosstown Bridge with the I-40/I-35 interchange over the North Canadian River 1.5 miles east of downtown.  That was a completely seperate project that began in 1987 and was completed in 2000.  The previous interchange was poorly built, cheaply built, poorly designed and downright dangerous.

You probably do not want to come on these forums with that kind of attitude.  Tulsan's for years have been shunned by our great state govt in OKC for far too long regarding funding for road repairs.  Probably a bone you don't want to pick my friend

District 8 Transportation Commissioner Guy Berry was quoted in the Tulsa World as saying "This is definitely one of the worst stretches of interstate highway in America," Berry, who represents Tulsa and parts of northeast Oklahoma, said. "Quite frankly, it may well be the worst stretch." Designed for 55,000 vehicles a day, the highway averages 90,000 vehicles a day.

People in Tulsa are sick and tired of paying taxes and getting nothing in return!

And, the I-44 project started in the mid 80s with a five year time plan. 20 years later it STILL has a five year completion time frame, and my money is on that's still not going to happen.

But why is the Crosstown such an emergency to get done that it had to be moved in front of so many other projects? The I-244 bridges over the Arkansas River in Tulsa have a lower bridge rating than the Crosstown and it's a tall long span bridge to boot. ODOT just in the last couple of months started to plan to replace the bridge, and not in emergency fashion. They just hope to be able start funding the engineering and construction of a bridge in the eighth year of the new eight year highway plan. Not hope to start construction, just to start getting the money needed. Construction is at least 10 years away, probably 15-20 when other emergencies are found in Oklahoma City. Why is the Crosstown an emergency need and I-244 isn't?

Because it's in Oklahoma City.

[cannon_fodder]

I-244 bridge is a disaster.  Most overpasses in midtown are just simply scary.  Much of the IDL has actual holes you can look through and see below.  

1966?  I'm guessing most of the bridges on the Broken Arrow Expressway, I-244, and I-44 meet that in age.  If we wanted to replace all our bridges that were old it would be a very expensive project.  

We have bridges in the heart of our city that are closed to emergency vehicles because the bridge would collapse under their weight.  We have still others that are closed to pedestrians.  YOU CAN'T EVEN WALK ON THEM.

I'm not saying the crosstown doesn't need the work.  From what you told me it needs replacement for safety, traffic flow, and the replacement would be comparatively economical.  But I'm certain Tulsa could hold it's own in a "worst bridges" competition.  So to imply that MORE money should be diverted from the provinces to the mighty capital is an insulting proposition.
- - -

BACK ON POINT -

Does that mean the project will be 6 lanes the entire way?  I can't imagine they would have a 1 mile stretch of 4 lane.  It would be the dumbest move in a good, long while.  I did a brief search (very brief) can did not immediately find the plans calling for 6 lane the entire length.

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I-244 bridge is a disaster.  Most overpasses in midtown are just simply scary.  Much of the IDL has actual holes you can look through and see below.  

1966?  I'm guessing most of the bridges on the Broken Arrow Expressway, I-244, and I-44 meet that in age.  If we wanted to replace all our bridges that were old it would be a very expensive project.  

We have bridges in the heart of our city that are closed to emergency vehicles because the bridge would collapse under their weight.  We have still others that are closed to pedestrians.  YOU CAN'T EVEN WALK ON THEM.

I'm not saying the crosstown doesn't need the work.  From what you told me it needs replacement for safety, traffic flow, and the replacement would be comparatively economical.  But I'm certain Tulsa could hold it's own in a "worst bridges" competition.  So to imply that MORE money should be diverted from the provinces to the mighty capital is an insulting proposition.
- - -

BACK ON POINT -

Does that mean the project will be 6 lanes the entire way?  I can't imagine they would have a 1 mile stretch of 4 lane.  It would be the dumbest move in a good, long while.  I did a brief search (very brief) can did not immediately find the plans calling for 6 lane the entire length.

That mile is on INCOG's ODOT TIP plan for 2009. It's on INCOG's website if you want to look

[rwarn17588]

quote:
Have you ever stood underneath the Crosstown.  It's creepy.  The f-ing thing vibrates whenever heavy trucks come barreling across the bridge.  The Crosstown Bridge was built in 1966, designed to withstand the weight of 72,000 cars per day.  Today, that bridge carries 138,000 cars a day.

Big honking deal. I've been under numerous interstate overpasses, and this is common. Bridges are supposed to flex a little if the load is big enough. You don't want it to be so stiff and brittle that it cracks at the slightest strain.

And there are roads all over Tulsa that get similar past-capacity vehicle counts that the one you cite does.

You'll have to make a better case than that.

[sauerkraut]

quote:Originally posted by okcpulse

Gee, I don't know, swake.  Could be that concrete junks keep falling from the bridge on a monthly basis?  Or how about those rusted expansion joints?  You Tulsans do realize this is a 2.5 mile bridge we are talking about and not a grade level highway, right?

The Crosstown bridge is costing ODOT $1 million per month on average in emergency repairs.  It's a fracture-critical bridge.  If one pylon goes, the whole structure crashes.  Redecking is out of the question.  This bridge is too old for that.  

Have you ever stood underneath the Crosstown.  It's creepy.  The f-ing thing vibrates whenever heavy trucks come barreling across the bridge.  The Crosstown Bridge was built in 1966, designed to withstand the weight of 72,000 cars per day.  Today, that bridge carries 138,000 cars a day.

Some in Tulsa, after some recent conversations I've had, are confusing the Crosstown Bridge with the Centennial Bridge on I-235 that goes by the state capitol complex and midtown.  that bridge opened in 1989, and is in good condition.  No maintenance is needed or planned.  Other Tulsans are also confusing the Crosstown Bridge with the I-40/I-35 interchange over the North Canadian River 1.5 miles east of downtown.  That was a completely seperate project that began in 1987 and was completed in 2000.  The previous interchange was poorly built, cheaply built, poorly designed and downright dangerous.

That will be a big job and buildings near the new I-44 road will have to be torn down, it needs to be done that section of road is too small. Hey Omaha, NE just built a new overhead expressway for highway 6 (West Dodge Street)It just opened in 2007 It has the freeway above and a regular surface street below the overhead freeway part and it's something like 5 miles long (or more) of overhead roadway. It's all built out of cement beams and supports. It's really nice drivers avoid all the traffic lights below.[xx(]

[Townsend]

Anyone take the Riverside detour this morning?  I was wondering about the traffic issues.