I 44 Construction Heads Into Final Phase

[Teatownclown]

ODOT announced that as of Monday Lewis Ave. in both directions will be closed indefinitely at I 44.

The day of reckoning has arrived for mid town. The government sure is keeping it quiet. How long will it be closed?

Look for a real test of driver patience.

[Hoss]

ODOT announced that as of Monday Lewis Ave. in both directions will be closed indefinitely at I 44.

The day of reckoning has arrived for mid town. The government sure is keeping it quiet. How long will it be closed?

Look for a real test of driver patience.

Up to 20 months, if you'd research a little more...

[Teatownclown]

Why. I got you to fetch an answer. Is that how long it will take or how long Lewis will be temporarily terminated? 

You coulda splained it better Mr. Cartwright.

[Hoss]

Why. I got you to fetch an answer. Is that how long it will take or how long Lewis will be temporarily terminated?  

You coulda splained it better Mr. Cartwright.

I was told the project would take up to 20 months.  Also, KJRH reported it that way, per ODOT.

http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsmedia/traffax/tulsa/Lewis%20closes%20at%20I-44%20junction%20Monday.pdf

[Teatownclown]

So you can't answer to access nightmare longevity?

Anybody know how long Lewis will be closed?

[Hoss]

So you can't answer to access nightmare longevity?

Anybody know how long Lewis will be closed?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say if they are shifting the freeway south and widening, that the nightmare longevity will be the length of the project.  Did you read the link?  Sheesh.

[YoungTulsan]

Surely the traffic will be made worse by poorly timed traffic lights on the streets and intersections of the alternate routes.

This is what a TW article said in July ( http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20120703_11_A1_OKLAHO598242 )

The construction contractor is contracted to have the roadways opened 425 days - or about 14 months - after breaking ground with a $10,000 per day incentive or penalty, according to the award.

The contractor is contracted to have the entire phase completed in 525 days with a $15,000 per day incentive or penalty.

I would optimistically hope that it could be completed quite a bit quicker as long as we don't have a year and a half of crappy weather.

Anyone who complains about this is an idiot.   It needs to be done, and I'm glad it is about to begin.   Harvard is 43 lanes wide and Peoria now has turnarounds. 

[Breadburner]

Everyone will make adjustments....Yes its badly needed....!!!

[Teatownclown]

Did i say it was not necessary? BB should go into hibernation.

[carltonplace]

So you can't answer to access nightmare longevity?

Anybody know how long Lewis will be closed?

I think we will survive. The intersection at Lewis and 51st has sucked for decades...I always avoid it anyway.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Did i say it was not necessary? BB should go into hibernation.

You must have noticed by now that BB IS in hibernation.

[Teatownclown]

In the past 30 days I have seen major accidents on I 44 ...1/4 mile from the Yale exit going east. Be careful. Lots of tire tread marks. Design flaws?

[Red Arrow]

In the past 30 days I have seen major accidents on I 44 ...1/4 mile from the Yale exit going east. Be careful. Lots of tire tread marks. Design flaws?

Bad tires 

[cynical]

In the past 30 days I have seen major accidents on I 44 ...1/4 mile from the Yale exit going east. Be careful. Lots of tire tread marks. Design flaws?

Which direction from the Yale exit? 1/4 mile east of the exit most drivers are starting to jockey for position to exit onto the BA. I typically don't go to BA and am always impressed that at least 4/5ths of the eastbound I-44 traffic at 5:30 pm are exiting to the BA, leaving I-44 wide open. That number of vehicles all trying to negotiate the amiguous exit lanes can make things interesting. Trouble 1/4 mile west of the exit would be surprising.

[Teatownclown]

1/4 mile west w/b correct. It may be the swing in the road with a dual Harvard entrance running into the Yale off ramp causing the run ins. Saw a motorcyclist wipe out while tossing his bike into the main lanes as he walked away. Yesterday, a semi smacked a spinning car. All the treadmarks indicate an issue. Lower speed limit required.

Tulsans have no idea what comes Monday.