I-44 and US-75 Interchange

[shavethewhales]

The I-44 and US-75 interchange is finally inching forward. Engineering contracts have been awarded. https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/widening-the-roads-work-on-i---u-s/article_eb6c5886-e940-59b4-81e3-bf574b797a7b.html

Its getting difficult to drive this section every day. With the bridge rehab work going on, I've finally switched to the Creek turnpike for now, but I don't like the extra expense. This project should have happened years ago. With engineering just now starting, it will still be years from now before we see work even beginning on this.

[swake]

The I-44 and US-75 interchange is finally inching forward. Engineering contracts have been awarded. https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/widening-the-roads-work-on-i---u-s/article_eb6c5886-e940-59b4-81e3-bf574b797a7b.html

Its getting difficult to drive this section every day. With the bridge rehab work going on, I've finally switched to the Creek turnpike for now, but I don't like the extra expense. This project should have happened years ago. With engineering just now starting, it will still be years from now before we see work even beginning on this.

The first phase of this project is set to be sent out for bids next June according to the new ODOT plan. This phase will replace the bridges over I-44 for Union Ave and US-75 and widen I-44 from Union to the River. It's going to be a mess for years.

[Conan71]

The first phase of this project is set to be sent out for bids next June according to the new ODOT plan. This phase will replace the bridges over I-44 for Union Ave and US-75 and widen I-44 from Union to the River. It's going to be a mess for years.

So glad I don't work in that area any more!

[SXSW]

The first phase of this project is set to be sent out for bids next June according to the new ODOT plan. This phase will replace the bridges over I-44 for Union Ave and US-75 and widen I-44 from Union to the River. It's going to be a mess for years.

While it will be a huge mess it is a project that is well overdue.  I've heard they are going to completely redesign the interchange and instead of clover leafs it will have flyovers. 

Now the state just needs to make the section of US 75 south of 121st to Hwy 67 a limited access highway with interchanges.  It's ridiculous to still have traffic lights on that stretch.

[swake]

While it will be a huge mess it is a project that is well overdue.  I've heard they are going to completely redesign the interchange and instead of clover leafs it will have flyovers. 

Now the state just needs to make the section of US 75 south of 121st to Hwy 67 a limited access highway with interchanges.  It's ridiculous to still have traffic lights on that stretch.

There's just one stoplight, at 141st. Traffic backs up there for a mile every morning and evening. It makes no sense that it's not even on ODOT's long term plans to replace.

[Hoss]

While it will be a huge mess it is a project that is well overdue.  I've heard they are going to completely redesign the interchange and instead of clover leafs it will have flyovers. 

Now the state just needs to make the section of US 75 south of 121st to Hwy 67 a limited access highway with interchanges.  It's ridiculous to still have traffic lights on that stretch.

I don't understand why they haven't done any studies on the I-44/BA interchange OR BA at 169.  Those two need flyover interchanges if any do.  I put my life in peril every time I drive those.  Cloverleafs are dumb.

[swake]

I don't understand why they haven't done any studies on the I-44/BA interchange OR BA at 169.  Those two need flyover interchanges if any do.  I put my life in peril every time I drive those.  Cloverleafs are dumb.

In the new ODOT plan all these interchanges are scheduled to start modern reconstruction:
I-44/US-169 is scheduled to start in 2023
US-169/BA is scheduled to start in 2027
I-44/BA is scheduled to purchase right of way and move utilities in 2024

http://www.odot.org/cwp-8-year-plan/cwp_ffy2020-ffy2027/8_year_cwp_divisiontul_map.pdf

[rebound]

There's just one stoplight, at 141st. Traffic backs up there for a mile every morning and evening. It makes no sense that it's not even on ODOT's long term plans to replace.

75 should be limited access all the way to 40...

[shavethewhales]

In the new ODOT plan all these interchanges are scheduled to start modern reconstruction:
I-44/US-169 is scheduled to start in 2023
US-169/BA is scheduled to start in 2027
I-44/BA is scheduled to purchase right of way and move utilities in 2024

http://www.odot.org/cwp-8-year-plan/cwp_ffy2020-ffy2027/8_year_cwp_divisiontul_map.pdf

Ugh. It's great that there are some theoretical dates set for these projects, but they should have been addressed years ago, and we all know these dates are going to get pushed back. It will be sometime in the 2030's that these interchanges finally get upgraded. Meanwhile we get to deal with wrecks and traffic backups almost every single day. I guess its still not as bad as *some* cities, but still a distressingly low priority.

[SXSW]

75 should be limited access all the way to 40...

That would cut probably 30 min off a drive to Dallas.

[swake]

75 should be limited access all the way to 40...

It should be limited access all the way to Texas.

[rebound]

It should be limited access all the way to Texas.

Yeah, just drove this earlier today and that whole stretch of 69 South from McAlester should be limited access.  PITA today, and made me late for a meeting.   

[swake]

This interchange rebuild starts with the 33rd W Ave bridges on 1/27. The Union bridges and widening I-44 from the river to Union will also start this year. It's going to be a massive mess for many years.

https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/odot-to-begin-i--bridge-replacements-in-west-tulsa/article_084a3a9c-eebd-588e-9b39-0bbba48b6147.html

[shavethewhales]

I'm looking forward to it. Seriously, it needed to be done ages ago. Unfortunately, this project is just one little piece of it all, and I don't think all of it has been fully funded yet. They need to get all of these bridges expanded, re-do the interchange, and then finish expanding the interstate itself to 6-lane.

Is there any info out there on the widening to Union project? I haven't heard about that. I thought they were doing all of the widening at once.

I'm still just looking forward to the new interchange most of all. Hate dealing with the unnecessary backups every day.

[swake]

I'm looking forward to it. Seriously, it needed to be done ages ago. Unfortunately, this project is just one little piece of it all, and I don't think all of it has been fully funded yet. They need to get all of these bridges expanded, re-do the interchange, and then finish expanding the interstate itself to 6-lane.

Is there any info out there on the widening to Union project? I haven't heard about that. I thought they were doing all of the widening at once.

I'm still just looking forward to the new interchange most of all. Hate dealing with the unnecessary backups every day.

There are design docs at this link:
https://www.ok.gov/odot/Programs_and_Projects/Public_Meetings_and_Hearings/20171102_I-44.html