I thought I'd create a thread for the discussion of the ongoing I-44 expansion project.
Tulsa World - First phase of I-44 project to begin - 1/17/09: http://www.tulsaworld.com/twpdfs/2009/FINAL/W_011709_A_1.PDF
Expansion plans as of 11/2005: http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/meetings/a2005/051103/i44plans.pdf
Phase 1: Perryman Ditch Project - $42M - Between Riverside & Yorktown - Began: 1/2009 - Complete
Phase 2: Harvard Interchange - $47M - Began: 3/2010 - Completion: End of 2011
Phase 3: Riverside & Peoria Interchanges - $48M - Began: 3/2011
Phase 4: Lewis Interchange - $35M - Begins: 2012
Thank you for the concise list.
noticed on sunday they have put up 44-west detour signs at 61st and Riverside and there were some barricades laid down at the intersection of 44-Riverside interchange. So I suppose, it won't be long before the west ramp to 44 is closed at Riverside.
I'm surprised the Lewis Interchange doesn't cost more than it does. There will be a lot of dirt removal needed to widen that road. The Harvard Interchange is particularly pricey. Looking at the map, there is more work on Harvard itself extending north and south than the other roads.
What's going on at the Riverside intersection?
quote:
Originally posted by SXSW
What's going on at the Riverside intersection?
Phase 1: Perryman Ditch Project - $42M - Between Riverside & Yorktown - Began: 1/2009
I can see that. Is that an on/off ramp extending into the river I see?
quote:
Originally posted by SXSW
I can see that. Is that an on/off ramp extending into the river I see?
its a big concrete box.
its part of the drainage system.
quote:
Originally posted by grahambino
noticed on sunday they have put up 44-west detour signs at 61st and Riverside and there were some barricades laid down at the intersection of 44-Riverside interchange. So I suppose, it won't be long before the west ramp to 44 is closed at Riverside.
I drove down the 44 frontage road towards Peoria yesterday and noticed there were orange construction signs indicating the ramp to Riverside was closed. There were also signs on Peoria itself.
Perryman Ditch project is still on schedule: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090602_11_A1_Asecti881444
Sounds like they'll start constructing part of the road soon.
This outlet is HUGE
(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2009/20090602_44A.jpg)
I'm probably late to the party on this, but will there not be westbound I-44 access from Riverside when this project is completed?
Quote from: bacjz00 on June 02, 2009, 10:04:33 AM
I'm probably late to the party on this, but will there not be westbound I-44 access from Riverside when this project is completed?
that has been my understanding, yes. I
believe that you will have to go up to Peoria, where there will be a Texas turnaround.
Correct
What is it about this town and loosing on/off ramps? I still cuss everytime I come down 44 Eastbound and need to go 169 Southbound. Ah well, guess 21st needed the extra traffic
There is no place to put the ramps in the new configuration. The existing ramps are pretty dangerous and hinder traffic flow.
Quote from: Nik on June 02, 2009, 10:13:13 AM
that has been my understanding, yes. I believe that you will have to go up to Peoria, where there will be a Texas turnaround.
Sounds good to me. I-44 should be an easy way for folks to get through our city....fighting with local grannies trying to accelerate from 35 mph to 70 mph isn't the way to accomplish that. I'm all for the removal of these ramps and funneling traffic down the frontage road.
Does anyone have an idea of how they plan to deal with the Lewis interchange once they tackle that project? I don't see any way they could close Lewis or I-44 through there for any great length of time. A co-worker and I were driving past this morning and wondering if they might do a "fly-over" for I-44 through traffic until it's done.
That's got to be a logistical nightmare, or is that why it comes after Riverside and Harvard interchanges are complete?
Quote from: sgrizzle on June 02, 2009, 11:14:31 AM
There is no place to put the ramps in the new configuration. The existing ramps are pretty dangerous and hinder traffic flow.
Kinda like the way US169 was redesigned at the 11th Street interchange. I thought widening was great, but the redesign of that interchange was brilliant. It gives southbound motorists time to get over for westbound I-44. Before, it was a danger zone and needed to be redesigned.
Kinda like the interchange at the BA and 169 need to be redesigned to stacks instead of a cloverleaf. Outlived it's usefulness, I'm afraid.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 02, 2009, 01:07:56 PM
Does anyone have an idea of how they plan to deal with the Lewis interchange once they tackle that project? I don't see any way they could close Lewis or I-44 through there for any great length of time. A co-worker and I were driving past this morning and wondering if they might do a "fly-over" for I-44 through traffic until it's done.
That's got to be a logistical nightmare, or is that why it comes after Riverside and Harvard interchanges are complete?
They are lowering 51st street several feet near the intersection. Yes, it will all be a nightmare. Wonder when they will take down the office buildings?
The 169 and BA interchange design seen several years ago was a doozie. Mobil home park and Stokley were included. They will never get around to redeveloping that poorly designed mess.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 02, 2009, 01:07:56 PM
Does anyone have an idea of how they plan to deal with the Lewis interchange once they tackle that project? I don't see any way they could close Lewis or I-44 through there for any great length of time. A co-worker and I were driving past this morning and wondering if they might do a "fly-over" for I-44 through traffic until it's done.
That's got to be a logistical nightmare, or is that why it comes after Riverside and Harvard interchanges are complete?
Are they replacing the Lewis Ave Bridge?
I don't see any choice but to replace that POS of a bridge...
A friend of mine met someone who works for the engineering firm that worked on the I-44 project. She said that the Lewis interchange will be the very last part of the project to be completed due to it's complexity. There will be no way to get south of I-44 on Lewis during this phase of construction.
Quote from: MsProudSooner on June 03, 2009, 12:26:07 PM
A friend of mine met someone who works for the engineering firm that worked on the I-44 project. She said that the Lewis interchange will be the very last part of the project to be completed due to it's complexity. There will be no way to get south of I-44 on Lewis during this phase of construction.
I see incensed Parkhills customers in my magic 8 ball.
Quote from: FOTD on June 02, 2009, 01:15:23 PM
The 169 and BA interchange design seen several years ago was a doozie. Mobil home park and Stokley were included. They will never get around to redeveloping that poorly designed mess.
Since you brought it up, what is the plan for the BA & 169 interchange? According to the INCOG Transportation Plan (is this even worth anything?) there is a $25,000,000 FEDERALLY FUNDED line item in 2012 for that interchange. What does 25 million get you? And is this money that's expected to be accessible by that time?
Quote from: bacjz00 on June 03, 2009, 07:23:11 PM
Since you brought it up, what is the plan for the BA & 169 interchange? According to the INCOG Transportation Plan (is this even worth anything?) there is a $25,000,000 FEDERALLY FUNDED line item in 2012 for that interchange. What does 25 million get you? And is this money that's expected to be accessible by that time?
$25,000,000 gets you some design work and an EIS. Or perhaps some right of way acquisition if those are already done.
Quote from: carltonplace on June 02, 2009, 01:33:56 PM
Are they replacing the Lewis Ave Bridge?
I-44 is moving south. The overpass won't even be in the same place.
Quote from: sgrizzle on June 03, 2009, 09:43:58 PM
I-44 is moving south. The overpass won't even be in the same place.
This, plus right now the highway is an underpass beneath Lewis. The new configuration should have the highway overpassing Lewis. Just thinking about this makes me believe there will be a ridiculous amount of earthwork needed done in this area. If you recall the I-44 & Yale upgrade, they constructed a temporary bridge which kept the highway open while the old bridge was demolished and new one was constructed. They may need to do this sort of thing here.
Quote from: YoungTulsan on June 03, 2009, 10:11:29 PM
This, plus right now the highway is an underpass beneath Lewis. The new configuration should have the highway overpassing Lewis. Just thinking about this makes me believe there will be a ridiculous amount of earthwork needed done in this area. If you recall the I-44 & Yale upgrade, they constructed a temporary bridge which kept the highway open while the old bridge was demolished and new one was constructed. They may need to do this sort of thing here.
Unless the plans have changed in the 3.5 years since the original schematic (in the first post of this thread), it looks like the highway will still be below Lewis.
Quote from: Nik on June 04, 2009, 08:39:55 AM
Unless the plans have changed in the 3.5 years since the original schematic (in the first post of this thread), it looks like the highway will still be below Lewis.
I'm pretty sure you're correct in that assumption. They have only made minor alterations like access road and ramp placement since then.
So the westbound Peoria exit closed today and the westbound Riverside exit opened. At some point, they are going to have to cross Peoria so sooner rather than later, all of Peoria will be blocked around the bridge.
Someone mentioned in another thread that Peoria will indeed be closing very soon for 3 months.
Also, I saw on the news that ODOT has approved the widening of I-44 from Yale to 41st. Don't know the timeline yet on that.
Quote from: Nik on October 05, 2009, 06:04:40 PM
Someone mentioned in another thread that Peoria will indeed be closing very soon for 3 months.
Also, I saw on the news that ODOT has approved the widening of I-44 from Yale to 41st. Don't know the timeline yet on that.
Starts in January along with a new interchange on 75 at 121st in Jenks
Quote from: swake on October 05, 2009, 08:10:28 PM
Starts in January along with a new interchange on 75 at 121st in Jenks
are they doing 121st or 111th? My understanding was they will be doing a bridge over 75 at 111th? I was on ODOT's website earlier tonight but could not find any info on it. Their site isn't the easiest to navigate.
Quote from: TUalum0982 on October 05, 2009, 10:21:57 PM
are they doing 121st or 111th? My understanding was they will be doing a bridge over 75 at 111th? I was on ODOT's website earlier tonight but could not find any info on it. Their site isn't the easiest to navigate.
Sorry, 111th is correct
Quote from: swake on October 05, 2009, 08:10:28 PM
Starts in January along with a new interchange on 75 at 121st in Jenks
Really? That soon? Guess I figured they would finish up the current project before starting the next I-44 project.
Quote from: Nik on October 06, 2009, 10:39:40 AM
Really? That soon? Guess I figured they would finish up the current project before starting the next I-44 project.
No, we need to have 244, I-44, and 75 all under construction simultaneously.
Only two highways left.
Quote from: sgrizzle on October 06, 2009, 10:48:30 AM
No, we need to have 244, I-44, and 75 all under construction simultaneously.
Only two highways left.
I'm hoping for 75 that they quickly close access from 111th with the stoplight going away and leave 4 lanes in each direction. If they do that traffic will actually improve during construction.
Anybody know when the Yale to BA segment of I-44 will be widened? It should have been done in conjunction with the I-44 / Yale bridge widening.
That has always been the most congested part of I-44 thru Tulsa, yet it will be the very last widened. So after enduring construction on the Riverside-Yale segement, Yale-BA will still be a bottleneck.
With all the stimulus $ supposedly floating around, why cant all the I-44 projects be accelerated?
Another random thought... on the BA westbound at I-44, whose dumb idea was it to have 4 lanes + Memorial on-ramp merge down to 3 lanes before you get to I-44 West exit? If just a little more $ had been spent, the 4th lane could have been extended over I-44 and been an exit only lane for I-44 West.
As it stands, you have a nice 8 lane highway from 161st into Tulsa that always bottlenecks at I-44.
Quote from: Lost Cause? on October 07, 2009, 11:04:09 AM
Anybody know when the Yale to BA segment of I-44 will be widened? It should have been done in conjunction with the I-44 / Yale bridge widening.
That has always been the most congested part of I-44 thru Tulsa, yet it will be the very last widened. So after enduring construction on the Riverside-Yale segement, Yale-BA will still be a bottleneck.
With all the stimulus $ supposedly floating around, why cant all the I-44 projects be accelerated?
Another random thought... on the BA westbound at I-44, whose dumb idea was it to have 4 lanes + Memorial on-ramp merge down to 3 lanes before you get to I-44 West exit? If just a little more $ had been spent, the 4th lane could have been extended over I-44 and been an exit only lane for I-44 West.
As it stands, you have a nice 8 lane highway from 161st into Tulsa that always bottlenecks at I-44.
That's what the Tulsa World article called the Darlington bridge. Construction starts in Jan or Feb on that as well.
Quote from: Lost Cause? on October 07, 2009, 11:04:09 AM
Anybody know when the Yale to BA segment of I-44 will be widened? It should have been done in conjunction with the I-44 / Yale bridge widening.
That has always been the most congested part of I-44 thru Tulsa, yet it will be the very last widened. So after enduring construction on the Riverside-Yale segement, Yale-BA will still be a bottleneck.
With all the stimulus $ supposedly floating around, why cant all the I-44 projects be accelerated?
Another random thought... on the BA westbound at I-44, whose dumb idea was it to have 4 lanes + Memorial on-ramp merge down to 3 lanes before you get to I-44 West exit? If just a little more $ had been spent, the 4th lane could have been extended over I-44 and been an exit only lane for I-44 West.
As it stands, you have a nice 8 lane highway from 161st into Tulsa that always bottlenecks at I-44.
Of course, one problem is our loop-around (244) is closed in the west-bound direction, so that's at least one reason I can think of projects can't be accellerated. There's nowhere to go through town other than the Creek Turnpike or driving down city streets.
I almost go into an apoplectic seizure when I think of how bad it's going to be when they do I-44 & Lewis Ave. Gads!
Quote from: Conan71 on October 07, 2009, 02:07:08 PM
Of course, one problem is our loop-around (244) is closed in the west-bound direction, so that's at least one reason I can think of projects can't be accellerated. There's nowhere to go through town other than the Creek Turnpike or driving down city streets.
I almost go into an apoplectic seizure when I think of how bad it's going to be when they do I-44 & Lewis Ave. Gads!
Midtown is going to be cut off from Parkhills! The horror!
Quote from: swake on October 07, 2009, 02:16:08 PM
Midtown is going to be cut off from Parkhills! The horror!
Oh smile, hadn't even thought of that!!!! TOTAL CATACLYSM!!!!
Yesterday I was leaving DT heading West on 7th. 244 access is gone there now so I took Denver to hop on 51 at 11th...it was closed. So I took Riverside thinking 44 access forgetting that was gone too...so I took 41st up to Lewis to 51st for 44 access there. It was a bummer but I'm ok with it because there will be improvements by gum...there will be improvements.
That was just trying to get West of the river...yes yes, 21st St bridge, I know...I forgot 44 was closed.
update on the peoria closing
http://www.tulsaworld.com/site/articlepath.aspx?articleid=20091011_11_A23_Peoria560129&rss_lnk=11
Quote
Peoria Ave. to be closed at I-44 for rest of year
By Staff Reports
Published: 10/11/2009 2:31 AM
Last Modified: 10/11/2009 2:31 AM
Peoria Avenue will be completely closed at the Interstate 44 junction for about three months starting Monday, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation said.
The closure is to allow construction of an underground drainage structure 1.25 miles long on the north side of I-44 between Riverside Drive and Yorktown Avenue. The department advised that motorists use Riverside Drive or Lewis Avenue as detours.
The construction is part of a $360 million project to widen I-44 to six lanes from Riverside Drive to Yale Avenue. It is estimated to take four years
Maybe it's just me, but why are they closing it for three months to work on ONLY the drainage part. Couldn't they be repaving peoria and working on new ramps at the same time, at least on the south side of the bridge?
Quote from: Townsend on October 07, 2009, 02:51:04 PM
Yesterday I was leaving DT heading West on 7th. 244 access is gone there now so I took Denver to hop on 51 at 11th...it was closed. So I took Riverside thinking 44 access forgetting that was gone too...so I took 41st up to Lewis to 51st for 44 access there. It was a bummer but I'm ok with it because there will be improvements by gum...there will be improvements.
That was just trying to get West of the river...yes yes, 21st St bridge, I know...I forgot 44 was closed.
I followed Historic 66 yesterday across the river.
I'm still trying to figure out a good way to get to south-bound 75 from downtown...
The denver exit is a a death wish... the 75 ramp is all backed up.. gotta cross all lanes to try to get in the lane that's all backed up... of course they're not to eager to let some "line cutter" in...
The best way I've found is to take SW Blvd and get on at 23rd... if that's super backed up I'll take that 17th St access road... but then I'm not on 75 til 41st st....
Quote from: BKDotCom on October 11, 2009, 08:56:32 PM
I'm still trying to figure out a good way to get to south-bound 75 from downtown...
The denver exit is a a death wish... the 75 ramp is all backed up.. gotta cross all lanes to try to get in the lane that's all backed up... of course they're not to eager to let some "line cutter" in...
The best way I've found is to take SW Blvd and get on at 23rd... if that's super backed up I'll take that 17th St access road... but then I'm not on 75 til 41st st....
I guess you could try going east on
7th 8th street and get on 75 south there. That way you can get in line and sit and keep all the other 'line cutters' out.
I hate that. Whoever proposed that state law that says 'MERGE NOW' is a freaking idiot. So you have this long single line of cars that actually makes it longer to get through than if cars would line up in both lanes and take turns going through.
I'm trying to figure out why so many people get on the ramp from the BA onto 75 south then jam on their brakes mid-way over the bridge. Doesn't seem to happen in morning rush-hour, usually around 2pm. Is that when they let the idiots out?
I can't believe there hasn't been more accidents at that bottleneck. Obviously ODOT didn't have too many options in dealing with the IDL closure, but that is the perfect illustration of clusterf*ck.
Quote from: Conan71 on October 12, 2009, 04:32:53 PM
I'm trying to figure out why so many people get on the ramp from the BA onto 75 south then jam on their brakes mid-way over the bridge. Doesn't seem to happen in morning rush-hour, usually around 2pm. Is that when they let the idiots out?
It's happening in the morning rush now too.
Quote from: PepePeru on October 12, 2009, 04:12:29 PM
I guess you could try going east on 7th 8th street and get on 75 south there. That way you can get in line and sit and keep all the other 'line cutters' out.
I hate that. Whoever proposed that state law that says 'MERGE NOW' is a freaking idiot. So you have this long single line of cars that actually makes it longer to get through than if cars would line up in both lanes and take turns going through.
What makes you think jamming things up trying to take turns going into the one lane would be faster than forming a single line??? You still end up all getting into a single line. Traffic keeps moving faster if you merge at the back of the line and they can move more quickly at the front. You may feel like YOU get somewhere faster if you can jam up the front of the line with two lanes, but it really slows down traffic on the whole.
Quote from: Townsend on October 12, 2009, 04:34:56 PM
It's happening in the morning rush now too.
Yep, the jackasses were at it this morning. 20 MPH over a 35 MPH bridge. pancakes?
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20091103_11_A1_Aswork736606
Looks like work on the Harvard bridge will begin early next year.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100107_11_0_Ayalnr484285
Work on I-44 from Yale to 41st begins next week. They say its not part of the widening project from Riverside to Yale, and I don't know why it wouldn't be, but for the purposes of this thread, we'll keep it together.
The article says they are going to close Darlington under the highway during construction. Hopefully when it reopens, some of those smaller shops around Best Buy & BB&B will begin to open up.
Quote from: Nik on January 07, 2010, 02:39:05 PM
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100107_11_0_Ayalnr484285
Work on I-44 from Yale to 41st begins next week. They say its not part of the widening project from Riverside to Yale, and I don't know why it wouldn't be, but for the purposes of this thread, we'll keep it together.
The article says they are going to close Darlington under the highway during construction. Hopefully when it reopens, some of those smaller shops around Best Buy & BB&B will begin to open up.
This is a seperate project which I believe was supposed to be done some time ago, but got delayed until it couldn't wait any longer.
Really? They are going to do that at the same time as the Harvard interchange? Or did they get the report wrong? What has happened since Monday is they have put up all the construction zone signs along Harvard from 41st to 61st, and along 51st from Utica to Yale (Construction zone, do not follow construction vehicles, fines double, road work next 2 miles, etc etc.).
Will work first be done on the surface streets before the actual interstate is torn down/rebuilt?
With the Yale-41st project going on, its guaranteed that there will be at least two simultaneous projects on I-44. should be fun. last i heard, the harvard interchange was supposed to start in early 2010, but i havent heard anything more specific.
Looks like Phase 2, the Harvard widening, is beginning today: http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=12061253
Project could be delayed: http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=54&articleid=20100412_54_0_Fcnoet764886
Evidently, the COT is shutting down 51st from Harvard to Marion for several daze while they reconstruct the water line they keep busting on the east side of 51st. When the center there was demolished (by ODOT?) they left many of the old lines which keep busting every time a back hoe digs in. Chili's, Sushi Train, Bodeans, Mazios...all had to close Friday night.
Anyway, if you live between 51st and 61st and Pittsburgh to Harvard keep your kids off the streets.
major cluster f*&K
They pretty much shut that stretch of road down effectively already, making it impassable by not providing turn lanes at Harvard. It is a clusterf*!# indeed.
51st was open between Harvard and Yale this morning at 7:15.
I wonder why they don't just close the eastbound Harvard exit. It would ease the strain on 51st considerably.
there's some good notes on the heller neighborhood website (http://www.hellerpark.blogspot.com/) RE: a couple of recent public meetings w/ ODOT. ODOT's website is www.odot.org/meetings. Daily construction schedules are available on the ODOT website also.
...not sure who it was from ODOT that i met, but he let me know that they would post their presentation, as well as PDF maps of the new on/off ramps, the sound wall, where basically everything was going to go, which roads were going to be 1- and 2-way, etc. ...the handouts that they gave us were quite detailed.
http://www.odot.org/meetings/a2010/100326/index.htm -- downloads on the left sidebar.
Thanks for letting us know. Glad to hear the south side is getting a soundwall.
It's been a long time since they were announced, but ODOT and GKFF/TCF released an image of the proposed Gateway markers they want on I-44. They're deco and look great! They're being supplemented by black powder coating on the lighting and monotube highway signage (the new style ODOT has installed on 169 & I-44) and extensive landscaping.
Two 60-foot towers will be at Riverside and four 30-foot towers will be at Harvard.
(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2011/20110116_I440116a.jpg)
(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2011/20110116_I440116d.jpg)
Favorite quote from the TW story: "They both saw the value and understood the significance of it. Otherwise, Tulsa would end up with a rather vanilla-looking stretch of highway, right through the heart of the city."
QuoteArt deco monuments at the Riverside Drive and Lewis Avenue bridges are among some of the beautification enhancements proposed to complement the $360 million Interstate 44 widening project.
"Everyone is real excited about creating a gateway and really turning the highway into a signature project," said Jason Dickinson, landscape architect for Alaback Design, which is working with the construction contractor.
The effort to provide additional improvements to the highway project is a proposed partnership between the state, Tulsa Community Foundation and the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
"I'm thrilled that we're going to have this stretch of highway improvements through the center of our city," said Phil Lakin, CEO of the Tulsa Community Foundation.
While the agreement for the added enhancements is not yet finalized, the discussions have been that the state, Tulsa Community Foundation and the Kaiser foundation would each contribute up to $2 million, Lakin said.
The Tulsa Community Foundation is still raising funds for its portion, and the state has not yet identified the funding source for its portion.
A state official emphasized that the reason the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is doing the widening project is to improve "one of the most dangerous" interstates in the state.
"The section from Yale Avenue to Riverside Drive has certainly logged more accidents than any other interstate location," said Kenna Mitchell, ODOT spokeswoman.
"Part
of that reason is because it was originally built as a byway around Tulsa before the interstate system was started in the 1950s, so it wasn't designed as an interstate," she said.
Lakin said the private sector realizes the focus of ODOT projects is safety and "utilitarian design."
"So that's why we stepped in and wanted to make it aesthetically pleasing and more representative of the culture and beauty that Tulsa has to offer," he said. "We want to take it above and beyond what ODOT will do."
Lakin said that as part of the enhancement process, "we wanted to really identify what sets Tulsa apart, and art deco is always the first to come up."
ODOT Division Engineer Randle White agreed, saying, "When I think of art deco, I think of Tulsa" and noting the vast amount of art deco design downtown.
"We've been having good discussions on the enhancements proposal. This effort will make for a really good public-private partnership," White said.
ODOT does have included in its $360 million plan such items as sound walls, lighting and fencing.
A sampling of some of the art deco design can be found in the sound walls at the ongoing Harvard Avenue area improvements on I-44.
The state's use of art deco design elements come from an aesthetics report prepared by Alaback and submitted to ODOT, said Dickinson, who created the report.
Lakin said the additional proposed enhancements to the highway project could include six art deco towers - two 60-foot towers on either side of I-44 at Riverside Drive and four 30-foot towers, two on each side of the Lewis Avenue bridge. The improvements also would include enhancements to the lighting, monotube highway signposts and fencing provided by ODOT, along with added landscaping, he said.
Lakin said enhancements also would be seen on some of the city streets near I-44.
Former state Transportation Commissioner Guy Berry and state Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley have played key roles in pushing the enhancement efforts along, Lakin said.
"They both saw the value and understood the significance of it. Otherwise, Tulsa would end up with a rather vanilla-looking stretch of highway, right through the heart of the city."
Proposed I-44 enhancements
* Two 60-foot art deco monuments
* Four 30-foot art deco monuments
* Black powder coating for lighting
* Black powder coating for monotube signposts
* Black vinyl-covered chain-link fencing
* Landscaping
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110116_11_A1_CUTLIN189430 (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110116_11_A1_CUTLIN189430)
If they light those spires, lets hope it's some sedate internal lighting, and not flood lighting like it was some ugly billboard.
Also, how's it going to look once they put in impact attenuators, like those big yellow Crash Barrels you commonly see along pillars and guardrails?
Looks to me like there's some kind of internal lighting involved. How cool would it look to have a soft-glowing art deco pillar greet you as you cross the river?
Yaaaay...Art Deco! ;D Some more good advertising for our museum effort :P and for dsjeffries downtown Deco District ;)
Quote from: patric on January 16, 2011, 11:53:27 AM
Also, how's it going to look once they put in impact attenuators, like those big yellow Crash Barrels you commonly see along pillars and guardrails?
I doubt they need them at these locations. Drunk cheerleaders from Owasso rarely make it that far "South"
Looks great. I'm hoping the 'landscaping' portion includes lots of trees planted in the right of way on both side of the interstate and not just at the interchanges. What they did at the IDL SE interchange with all of the pine trees is a good example to follow.
I'll be interested to see what they (Kaiser Foundation/TCF) have planned for the new I-244 bridge as well.
On a side note, does anyone know the status of the bike/jogging trail along the north side of I-44? Right now the completed portion goes from 42nd & Fulton to Yale, and then stops. Is the plan still to extend the trail west all the way to the river?
Heads up for the weekend on Harvard by I44.
http://tinyurl.com/45bvfmo (http://tinyurl.com/45bvfmo)
QuoteIf you use Harvard Ave near I-44 you will want to find a short-term alternate route starting Friday evening.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation says they plan to close all lanes north and southbound on Harvard Ave. at I-44 from 7 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday for bridge demolition.
Construction crews will then begin to remove the old sections of the east and westbound I-44 bridges. With plans to completely replace them.
During the temporary closing ODOT has planned detours around the work area.
Southbound Harvard Ave. traffic will detour to the frontage road to Lewis Ave.
Northbound Harvard Ave. traffic will detour to 51st Street to either Lewis Ave. or Yale Ave.
The westbound I-44 on-ramp from Harvard Ave. will remain closed until further notice.
This work is part of a larger $48 million project to widen I-44 from four lanes to six in the Harvard corridor.
The entire $360 million widening project on I-44 from Riverside Dr. to Yale Ave. is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
I'm shaking my head at a comment on the OKC's Own website story:
http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=13919812
Quote from: some dipshitdustyoutlaw
2 hours ago
-1 updown
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I knew it would come to this. They've had Harvard and I-44 torn down for over a year. And now here it is........."you can't get there from here". What an abortion this whole thing has and continue to be.
They are closing Harvard from 7pm Friday to 6am Monday to demolish two bridges they are replacing. How more seamlessly could they do that, you absolute moron?
Sorry, I'm not signing up for their comments section - I'm just having trouble understanding how some people manage to tie their shoes in the morning.
They wear velcro Kangaroo's
... Just saw the part of this thread concerning the Art Deco spires..
They look great
Quote from: YoungTulsan on January 27, 2011, 04:01:04 PM
I'm shaking my head at a comment on the OKC's Own website story:
http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=13919812
They are closing Harvard from 7pm Friday to 6am Monday to demolish two bridges they are replacing. How more seamlessly could they do that, you absolute moron?
Sorry, I'm not signing up for their comments section - I'm just having trouble understanding how some people manage to tie their shoes in the morning.
Could we institute a keyboard tax?
Phase 3 starts today: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110301_11_A1_CUTLIN430949
Quote
Massive changes are in store for Interstate 44 between Riverside Drive and just east of Peoria Avenue.
Contractors will begin a $40 million project Tuesday to widen that part of the interstate to six lanes. They'll also improve or relocate entrance and exit ramps, replace the bridge over Peoria Avenue and add two new lanes to the eastern end of the Arkansas River bridge. The lanes will be for drivers who want to enter and exit the highway.
"There's going to be a lot of activity happening very quickly," said Kenna Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
The project is the third phase of a four-phase $360 million overhaul of the I-44 corridor.
Workers have built the Perryman Ditch - a 1.25-mile tunnel to carry stormwater to the Arkansas River.
And they're continuing to revamp I-44 near Harvard Avenue. That $48 million phase includes widening the interstate to six lanes, reworking its frontage road, creating new entrance and exit ramps and building a second bridge over Harvard Avenue.
The Harvard Avenue phase began in early 2010 and is scheduled to end late this year. The entire project is to be completed in 2013.
"If you consider phases, (the Riverside-Peoria project) is the halfway point," Mitchell said. "This is where we get into a lot of the intense work on the highway itself."
The final phase of the project will go out for bids next year. That phase, estimated to cost $51.7 million, will revitalize the Lewis Avenue area. The work will include construction of a new bridge over the interstate.
Mitchell said the Transportation Department left the Lewis Avenue area for last because it wanted to have well-built alternative routes around Peoria and Harvard avenues when Lewis is shut down. Portions of the road could be closed for several months during the bridge replacement, she said.
"We want to make sure we have good detour routes on either side," she said.
Work between Riverside and Peoria will begin with the construction of a sound wall and temporary patching of the interstate, Mitchell said. The surface work would strengthen the road for the coming lane shifts.
Once the phase is in full swing, drivers should watch for signs with information on problems and detours.
ODOT will keep open access points to area businesses, Mitchell said.
Quote from: Tulsa World
Workers have built the Perryman Ditch - a 1.25-mile tunnel to carry stormwater to the Arkansas River.
I don't know who Mr. Perryman is, but I imagine you need to be pretty special to have a ditch named after you.
Quote from: Floyd on March 01, 2011, 01:14:44 PM
I don't know who Mr. Perryman is, but I imagine you need to be pretty special to have a ditch named after you.
Would the founder of the City of Tulsa's first post office be enough?
Quote from: Hoss on March 01, 2011, 01:20:06 PM
Would the founder of the City of Tulsa's first post office be enough?
So, he was just a postman.
Quote from: DTowner on March 01, 2011, 01:47:17 PM
So, he was just a postman.
Evidently a pretty good one to get a ditch named after him.
Quote from: Red Arrow on March 01, 2011, 01:50:07 PM
Evidently a pretty good one to get a ditch named after him.
Actually he was terrible. He was famous for just throwing the mail in the Arkansas River instead of going through the trouble of delievering it...That is why the drainage system is named after him, it is symbolic of him throwing the mail into the river... ;D
Quote from: OSU on March 01, 2011, 02:00:20 PM
Actually he was terrible. He was famous for just throwing the mail in the Arkansas River instead of going through the trouble of delievering it...That is why the drainage system is named after him, it is symbolic of him throwing the mail into the river... ;D
Assuming you are correct, I stand corrected.
Quote from: Red Arrow on March 01, 2011, 02:02:04 PM
Assuming you are correct, I stand corrected.
Just to be clear I am 100% not serious.
Well he was our first postmaster...the Perryman Family is Tulsa's first family and they owned a good portion of Tulsa County at one time. Probably deserve something better than a ditch named after them :)
The Perryman family owned all the land that is now known as Brookside
Quote from: RecycleMichael on March 01, 2011, 04:04:33 PM
The Perryman family owned all the land that is now known as Brookside
The family still owns Perryman Ranch at 116th and Elwood in Jenks
Quote from: RecycleMichael on March 01, 2011, 04:04:33 PM
The Perryman family owned all the land that is now known as Brookside
And Tulsa's original post office was run out of the Perryman 'White House' at approximately 38th and Trenton, if memory serves correctly.
And here's a bit of trivia for those that don't know.
Joe Creek, while it seems a simple name for a creek, was named for Josiah "Joe" Perryman, who was the first Tulsa Postmaster. Back then it was named "Joe's Creek".
Quote from: Hoss on March 01, 2011, 04:18:38 PM
And Tulsa's original post office was run out of the Perryman 'White House' at approximately 38th and Trenton, if memory serves correctly.
I've always wondered by Tulsa's first post office was so far south (and obviously not in early Tulsa).
Quote from: Hoss on March 01, 2011, 04:18:38 PM
And Tulsa's original post office was run out of the Perryman 'White House' at approximately 38th and Trenton, if memory serves correctly.
41st & Troost. There is a park and sign there. There is also the Perryman Cemetery at 32nd & Utica with headstones dating back to 1879.
Quote from: SXSW on March 01, 2011, 05:44:49 PM
41st & Troost. There is a park and sign there. There is also the Perryman Cemetery at 32nd & Utica with headstones dating back to 1879.
I'm sure the sign is there, but every reference I see refers to 38th and Trenton.
http://www.perrymanranch.com/
Fred Creek, the creek that runs through ORU campus, was named for Joe's brother Fred.
Looks like the monotube signage structures are starting to be used a little more frequently. I saw some crews out Friday prepping what thought to be a new sign structure on the BA inbound just east of the Garnett exit. Today they started to put the structure up and it appears to be monotube, but just for one sign:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5612438538_75a94ec9c7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oilerfan/5612438538/)
Quote from: Hoss on April 12, 2011, 12:55:55 AM
Looks like the monotube signage structures are starting to be used a little more frequently. I saw some crews out Friday prepping what thought to be a new sign structure on the BA inbound just east of the Garnett exit. Today they started to put the structure up and it appears to be monotube, but just for one sign:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5612438538_75a94ec9c7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oilerfan/5612438538/)
They're cool but the engineer part of my brain thinks they could've made a better connector than those giant flanges.
Quote from: sgrizzle on April 12, 2011, 01:17:51 PM
They're cool but the engineer part of my brain thinks they could've made a better connector than those giant flanges.
Reminds me of steam lines. Just another day at work.
Quote from: sgrizzle on April 12, 2011, 01:17:51 PM
They're cool but the engineer part of my brain thinks they could've made a better connector than those giant flanges.
how do you think that's going to handle Oklahoma winds? I always thought we didn't have that style of sign for a reason.
Quote from: sgrizzle on April 12, 2011, 01:17:51 PM
They're cool but the engineer part of my brain thinks they could've made a better connector than those giant flanges.
Don't think they're quite done yet.
It appears Riverside will be shifted to the east under the I-44 bridge. Is this to make more room for the river trail which is pretty constrained in that area currently?
Quote from: swake on April 12, 2011, 01:38:39 PM
how do you think that's going to handle Oklahoma winds? I always thought we didn't have that style of sign for a reason.
Know I'm replying to an old question Swake, but the monotube signs handle wind loading better than the box truss designs do.
Is there an update on the progress of the Lewis phase? The latest update I could find was saying bids would go out in spring or summer of this year.
Quote from: Nik on May 21, 2012, 12:08:22 PM
Is there an update on the progress of the Lewis phase? The latest update I could find was saying bids would go out in spring or summer of this year.
I think the bid went out in April. Is Peoria open all the way yet? The construction is going to close Lewis across the highway and I would think that Lewis has to wait until the underpass for Peoria is completed for traffic concerns.
I saw that Memorial is going to be narrowed to one lane each way under the Creek Turnpike while they widen the bridge above. Hell is going to be the only way to describe that.
Quote from: swake on May 21, 2012, 01:28:15 PM
I think the bid went out in April. Is Peoria open all the way yet? The construction is going to close Lewis across the highway and I would think that Lewis has to wait until the underpass for Peoria is completed for traffic concerns.
I saw that Memorial is going to be narrowed to one lane each way under the Creek Turnpike while they widen the bridge above. Hell is going to be the only way to describe that.
I can remember living at Sun Chase apartments in 1990 (93rd and Memorial). That would have been a non-factor. Back then. I go back to that area every so often and I'm amazed at what it looks like now. Reminds me of the change of 71st east of Mingo from 1985 to 1995.
Quote from: swake on May 21, 2012, 01:28:15 PM
I saw that Memorial is going to be narrowed to one lane each way under the Creek Turnpike while they widen the bridge above. Hell is going to be the only way to describe that.
I think I missed this the first time around because my brain didn't want to comprehend the consequences of such an insane plan.
Quote from: swake on May 21, 2012, 01:28:15 PM
I saw that Memorial is going to be narrowed to one lane each way under the Creek Turnpike while they widen the bridge above. Hell is going to be the only way to describe that.
That'll get some folks worked up. God help those responsible when reading the wrath of the Tulsa World commenters. They'll be smited for sure.
Quote from: swake on May 21, 2012, 01:28:15 PM
I think the bid went out in April. Is Peoria open all the way yet? The construction is going to close Lewis across the highway and I would think that Lewis has to wait until the underpass for Peoria is completed for traffic concerns.
Makes me glad I don't shop at Parkhills.
Quote from: rdj on May 21, 2012, 02:22:18 PM
Which one?
Probably the one near 101st & Memorial. Has anyone checked on inteller after this news hit?
Quote from: rdj on May 21, 2012, 02:22:18 PM
Which one?
The one on Lewis. Would be hard to get their from the north when there is no Lewis.
They'll both be hard to get to! Southies & Midtowners will have something to agree on! Liquor store hard to get to!
Quote from: carltonplace on May 21, 2012, 03:11:56 PM
The one on Lewis. Would be hard to get their from the north when there is no Lewis.
What would you be doing that far south anyway? :)
I foresee a decline in property values while midtown is cut off from Parkhills
Quote from: rdj on May 21, 2012, 03:30:08 PM
They'll both be hard to get to! Southies & Midtowners will have something to agree on! Liquor store hard to get to!
Get off at Harvard and run up 51st...
Quote from: swake on May 21, 2012, 03:56:38 PM
I foresee a decline in property values while midtown is cut off from Parkhills
I agree. That establishment was solely responsible for propping up midtown's property values.
On the radio on the way home tonight they said Peoria is now open with four lanes at I-44. I would expect to see Lewis start very quickly now.
Email from this morning.
QuoteTRAF-FAX Notice
************************************************************
Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Media & Public Relations Division
4002 N. Mingo Valley Expressway, Tulsa, OK 74116
Phone: 918-838-9933 Fax: 918-832-9074
************************************************************
THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsmedia/traffic-advisory.htm
_______________________________________________
Media & Public Relations Contact: Kenna Mitchell
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
_______________________________________________
I-244/US-169 corridor – I-44 narrowed through Friday
As part of a pavement reconstruction project, expect significant delays in this corridor, especially during peak travel times. Locate an alternate route if possible.
Lane closures include:
• The left lane of eastbound I-44 at I-244 (eastern split) until 5 p.m. Friday.
• The two left lanes of westbound I-244 closed from US-169 to near Sheridan Rd. through August.
• The two right lanes of eastbound I-244 closed from near Memorial Dr. to US-169 through August.
• The left lane of eastbound I-244 between US-169 and 129th E. Ave. through mid-September.
• Left lane westbound I-244 between I-44 and US-169 closed through September.
Ramp closures include:
• The northbound US-169 ramp to westbound I-244 is narrowed to one lane until further notice.
• The shoulder of the eastbound I-244 ramp to northbound US-169 is closed through June.
• The eastbound I-244 off-ramp to Mingo Rd. is closed through mid-June. Drivers can use the Memorial Rd. exit and follow eastbound Admiral Rd. for access to Mingo Rd. during this closure.
• The southbound US-169 off-ramp to eastbound I-244 is closed through August; use the eastbound I-44 off-ramp as an alternate route.
I-244 narrows at northwest corner of Inner Dispersal Loop tonight
Drivers can expect various lane closures on east and westbound I-244 along the northwest corner of the IDL from 7 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. Wednesday for surface work.
I-44 narrows near Memorial Dr. Wednesday
The left lane of east and westbound I-44 will be closed near Memorial Dr. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and daily through Friday, and again on Monday for a sign project.
I-44 widening in Riverside Dr./Peoria Ave. corridor – signal adjustments Thursday
Be alert to traffic signal adjustments on north and southbound Peoria Ave. at the I-44 junction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. There may be brief periods when all signals flash red and the intersections will be four-way stops.
Continued closures until further notice include:
• Left lane of north and southbound Riverside Dr. at the I-44 junction; expect delays.
• All lanes of 49th St. are closed at Riverside Dr.
• Newport Ave. is closed at the westbound frontage road (north of I-44).
On-going Construction Projects:
US-64/SH-51 (Broken Arrow Expressway) narrowed near Utica Ave.
The left lane of east and westbound US-64/SH-51 is closed from near Utica Ave. to near Sheridan Rd. until further notice for a bridge deck replacement project. Expect significant delays in this corridor; locate alternate route if possible.
Lane closures around north, west legs of the Inner Dispersal Loop for bridge rehabilitation project through May
Expect intermittent total closures on these streets around the IDL during various times:
• Boston Ave., Boulder Ave., Brady St., Cheyenne Ave., Elgin Ave., Main St., KATY Trail
Expect intermittent lane closures on these streets around the IDL from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily:
• Archer St., Charles Page Blvd., Cincinnati Ave., Denver Ave., Detroit Ave., Greenwood Ave.,
• Southwest Blvd.
Be alert to crews working in the shoulders on the north and west legs of the IDL above these locations daily, and expect various lane and shoulder closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly through May.
I-244/Arkansas bridge replacement project
Continued closures until further notice include:
• Westbound US-64/SH-51 off-ramp to eastbound I-244/westbound US-64/SH-51 (south leg to west leg IDL)
• Southbound US-75/westbound US-64/SH-51 off-ramp to westbound I-244/southbound US-75
• Eastbound I-244 on-ramp from 17th St.
• Westbound I-244 on-ramp from 7th St.
• Various lane closures on east and westbound 17th St.
US-75 narrowed, ramps closed near 201st St. South for bridge replacement project
• North and southbound US-75 is narrowed to one lane of traffic in each direction near 201st St. South (at South Duck Creek, south of Glenpool) until further notice.
• No access to or from US-75 at 201st St.; US-75 traffic is directed to use 181st St. or 221st St.
_______________________________________________________________________
Has anyone heard when the Lewis Ave. I-44 bridge clusterfark will get underway and how long that will take?
Quote from: Conan71 on May 31, 2012, 04:03:55 PM
Has anyone heard when the Lewis Ave. I-44 bridge clusterfark will get underway and how long that will take?
that's gonna be no fun. Is the Peoria street exit open for business now westbound? I have to take someone home over that way. Someone told me it's all open except for the turnaround lanes on the exit.
And the only thing I could see really for the timeline for the Lewis part (Phase 4) was 'spring or summer of 2012'. I'm still trying to find more solid dates.
EDIT: Looks like the bid is scheduled for this month:
06374(47)* 8 IS044 1.200 0 51,697,928 0 0 51,697,928
GRADE, DRAINING, BRIDGE & SURFACE
TULSA I-44: AT LEWIS AVENUE (RECONSTRUCT TO 6 LANES)
(IM EARMARK)
IMY -0044-2(399) 226 COMMISSION ACTION DATE: 07/1984
Plan drafts here (careful; many planning drawings in here):
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/contracts/a2012/proj-review_120302-plans/
Quote from: Hoss on May 31, 2012, 04:07:35 PM
that's gonna be no fun. Is the Peoria street exit open for business now westbound? I have to take someone home over that way. Someone told me it's all open except for the turnaround lanes on the exit.
And the only thing I could see really for the timeline for the Lewis part (Phase 4) was 'spring or summer of 2012'. I'm still trying to find more solid dates.
Westbound was the other day. That's always subject to change. ::)
Quote from: Conan71 on May 31, 2012, 04:26:32 PM
Westbound was the other day. That's always subject to change. ::)
Yes, it was open....except for the westbound turnaround lane was blocked but appears nearly ready. Peoria north and southbound looked much better.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20120623_11_A1_CUTLIN99760
Looks like construction begins late August.
I left town on Saturday morning headed to 75 and took Peoria down and it looked like everything was open. It sure was easy getting on I-44 westbound. And the traffic was flowing with NO backups.
Quote from: joiei on June 24, 2012, 10:32:28 PM
I left town on Saturday morning headed to 75 and took Peoria down and it looked like everything was open. It sure was easy getting on I-44 westbound. And the traffic was flowing with NO backups.
Yeah, I think everything is open on Peoria except for the Texas Turnarounds.
Quote from: Nik on June 26, 2012, 11:08:09 AM
Yeah, I think everything is open on Peoria except for the Texas Turnarounds.
Actually, those are open now. Via ODOT's Twitter..and my cousin (who takes that route to work):
ODOT
TULSA-Protected turnarounds open at I-44/Peoria; easy access to frontage roads. No waiting through the light! pic.twitter.com/BzorxHKt
Quote from: Nik on June 26, 2012, 11:08:09 AM
Yeah, I think everything is open on Peoria except for the Texas Turnarounds.
Are they doing the turnarounds like the one at Harvard? I so likey those. ;D
Hmm. Or is it Yale?
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 26, 2012, 12:35:47 PM
Are they doing the turnarounds like the one at Harvard? I so likey those. ;D
Hmm. Or is it Yale?
Might be some at Harvard; I know they have them at Yale AND at Memorial (and have had them there for some time).
And the answer is yes, they did do them like that.
EDIT: Harvard by design cannot have them, since the south frontage road for I-44 there is 51st, which runs two ways.
Quote from: Hoss on June 26, 2012, 12:38:23 PM
Might be some at Harvard; I know they have them at Yale AND at Memorial (and have had them there for some time).
And the answer is yes, they did do them like that.
Sweet. Tulsa is growing up.
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 26, 2012, 12:41:09 PM
Sweet. Tulsa is growing up.
Should be required of all freeways that have one way frontage roads on either side. I realize not all do, but I always wondered why it took so long for them to do this, given that I lived in Houston long enough to see the advantages of them.
I-44 Final Contract Awarded
http://kwgs.com/post/i-44-final-contract-awarded (http://kwgs.com/post/i-44-final-contract-awarded)
QuoteThe final phase of the I-44 widening project is awarded. The Lewis to Peoria Stretch will cost 50-million dollars.
Manhattan Road and Bridge and Allen Construction were awarded the contract. When work begins in August, Lewis Avenue will be shut down for the majority of the project. That will send traffic to Peoria or Harvard.
It should reopen at the end of 2013.
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 26, 2012, 12:41:09 PM
Sweet. Tulsa is growing up.
Careful!! That is a very sweeping statement given the condition of so many city streets.... they are still a catastrophic mess with no relief in sight.
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on July 03, 2012, 09:54:26 AM
Careful!! That is a very sweeping statement given the condition of so many city streets.... they are still a catastrophic mess with no relief in sight.
I think that is an overstatement.
Tulsa roads have improved dramatically in the 10 years. Granted, there is a lot of work left to do but to things are improved and continue to improve.
Construction to fix roads doesn't count as bad roads.
Quote from: Weatherdemon on July 03, 2012, 10:03:49 AM
I think that is an overstatement.
Tulsa roads have improved dramatically in the 10 years. Granted, there is a lot of work left to do but to things are improved and continue to improve.
Construction to fix roads doesn't count as bad roads.
Construction to fix roads also doesn't count as getting good roads. We are SOOOO far behind, I would submit that, without a MAJOR refocus on replace/repair, it will be impossible to reach a point where road conditions in town can be considered "improving" let along good!
Did you make it by the barbeque? Was it fit to eat??
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on July 03, 2012, 10:14:53 AM
Construction to fix roads also doesn't count as getting good roads. We are SOOOO far behind, I would submit that, without a MAJOR refocus on replace/repair, it will be impossible to reach a point where road conditions in town can be considered "improving" let along good!
Did you make it by the barbeque? Was it fit to eat??
Yea, we let things get SOOOO bad it was really embarassing.
Thank God my Durango was my primary vehicle when I live in midtown!
They have Harvard and Yale mostly in good shape. Around TU was just TERRIBLE for years! I never understood why they let the streets around TU get so bad with all of the visitors they bring with sporting events, student visits, and conventions at the Reynolds Center.
Haven't made it by the BBQ place yet. It will either be this Friday or next Friday before I have a chance too.
Can't wait to check it out though!
If only we could get rid of those terrible cloverleaf interchanges and the awful eastbound BA to southbound 169 merge
The I44 us75 cloverleaf.... 44 is in a valley.. I envision elevating 75 so that it no longer goes down into the valley and having the ramps/interchange underneath.
part of the problem is that on 75, large trucks and underpowered cars have a hard time climbing the hill, which further contributes to the slowdown.
Here's what will become known as the bkdotcom-roundabout interchange... thru traffic doesn't go through the roundabout. Only those wanting to change course do.
I-44 is on the bottom (green), the yellow interchange is next, and US-75 (red) is on top.
(http://www.bradkent.com/images/bradkent.com/44-75_interchange.jpg)
Quote from: BKDotCom on July 04, 2012, 01:22:21 PM
If only we could get rid of those terrible cloverleaf interchanges and the awful eastbound BA to southbound 169 merge
The I44 us75 cloverleaf.... 44 is in a valley.. I envision elevating 75 so that it no longer goes down into the valley and having the ramps/interchange underneath.
part of the problem is that on 75, large trucks and underpowered cars have a hard time climbing the hill, which further contributes to the slowdown.
Here's what will become known as the bkdotcom-roundabout interchange... thru traffic doesn't go through the roundabout. Only those wanting to change course do.
I-44 is on the bottom (green), the yellow interchange is next, and US-75 (red) is on top.
(http://www.bradkent.com/images/bradkent.com/44-75_interchange.jpg)
I know that's kind of tongue-in-cheek but I don't think interstates allow any kind of roundabout interchange. Yet, that is.
;D
Tulsans have a hard enough time at the Traffic Circle. That would just plain be a nightmare.
I will say, however, that the interchange at 169 and the BA needs overhauling. Into a stack design as seen here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stack_interchange). I've witnessed far too many near misses there.
Quote from: Hoss on July 04, 2012, 01:27:58 PM
I know that's kind of tongue-in-cheek but I don't think interstates allow any kind of roundabout interchange. Yet, that is.
(http://www.bradkent.com/images/bradkent.com/44-75_interchange.jpg)
As long as the yellow circle is above the green and below the red (no at grade crossing), I think it could be considered a variation of the stacked interchange. Only the traffic changing routes would be affected. It might be a good idea that requires less bridge construction (less expensive) than the stacked intersection.
Quote from: BKDotCom on July 04, 2012, 01:22:21 PM
If only we could get rid of those terrible cloverleaf interchanges and the awful eastbound BA to southbound 169 merge
According to a document on INCOG website there is a significant amount of money budgeted for this interchange in 2013 for Right of Way and Utility relocations. Is this maybe in preparation for a future "stacked" interchange?
(http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/7607/incog1.jpg)
http://www.incog.org/Transportation/documents/INCOGTIP2011_2014.pdf
(http://www.incog.org/Transportation/documents/INCOGTIP2011_2014.pdf)