Illegal U-Turns on I-44 in Lawton

[Bobby5280]

This kind of ties in to other discussions going on about at-grade turns on I-10 and I-40 in West Texas and the debate how existing at-grade turns on the proposed I-69E and I-69C corridors and South Texas should be handled. I'm not in favor of at-grade turns on Interstate highways at all. I think they're inherently dangerous.

Here in Lawton there is an at-grade turn just North of the I-44 & Cache Road interchange. The turn is for emergency vehicle use only. A few days ago ODOT shut down the I-44 NB ramp to WB Cache Road because of construction defects in the recently built road surface. That short segment is going to be closed until the end of the month. ODOT will also have crews doing some repainting work in certain places in the interchange, which will result in other closures.

KSWO-TV ran this article today about drivers taking illegal U-turns at the Cache Road interchange:
http://www.kswo.com/story/29290478/ohp-tickets-impatient-drivers-making-illegal-u-turns

OHP is monitoring that part of I-44 and is busting drivers for making the illegal U-turn. It's an expensive $200+ ticket.

[rte66man]

This kind of ties in to other discussions going on about at-grade turns on I-10 and I-40 in West Texas and the debate how existing at-grade turns on the proposed I-69E and I-69C corridors and South Texas should be handled. I'm not in favor of at-grade turns on Interstate highways at all. I think they're inherently dangerous.

Here in Lawton there is an at-grade turn just North of the I-44 & Cache Road interchange. The turn is for emergency vehicle use only. A few days ago ODOT shut down the I-44 NB ramp to WB Cache Road because of construction defects in the recently built road surface. That short segment is going to be closed until the end of the month. ODOT will also have crews doing some repainting work in certain places in the interchange, which will result in other closures.

KSWO-TV ran this article today about drivers taking illegal U-turns at the Cache Road interchange:
http://www.kswo.com/story/29290478/ohp-tickets-impatient-drivers-making-illegal-u-turns

OHP is monitoring that part of I-44 and is busting drivers for making the illegal U-turn. It's an expensive $200+ ticket.

Is this the place?
https://goo.gl/maps/ZAlH0

[Bobby5280]

Yes. That is it. IMHO they just need to close off that service turn. It's pretty badly weathered anyway. Lots of loose gravel and a pretty good dip in the center.

[Brandon]

Yes. That is it. IMHO they just need to close off that service turn. It's pretty badly weathered anyway. Lots of loose gravel and a pretty good dip in the center.

The vast majority of crossovers like that need to simply be closed and removed.

[mrsman]

Yes. That is it. IMHO they just need to close off that service turn. It's pretty badly weathered anyway. Lots of loose gravel and a pretty good dip in the center.

The vast majority of crossovers like that need to simply be closed and removed.

Agreed.  From my experience the crossovers are usually used by police to enable speed enforcement.

What's very odd here is how close the crossover is to an exit, and a fairly involved exit as well (i.e. more than just a simple diamond interchange, this is a partial stack with lots of exit and entrance ramps).

[leroys73]

Bobby, I am very familiar with the "U-Turn".  I agree it is a bad place to have a service turn. 

Many, Many years ago probably late 70s or early 80's my buddy got busted for using it.  We were on our way to Lake Lawtonka to ski but forgot the key.  He just zipped across it and bang a ticket.  Bad choice but not as busy back then.