Oklahoma

[jdingus]

Thank you where do you find the plans at?

[Great Lakes Roads]

Thank you where do you find the plans at?

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/business-center/contracts-and-proposals.html

Here, on a new and improved website...

[jdingus]

sweet thank you

[bwana39]

It's interesting they're proposing that kind of work on such an out of the way location. I wonder if it's really meant to improve access in and out of the new Choctaw Landing Casino. Also, is any of this funding coming from stuff like federal grants?

In the big picture view, Oklahoma does seem to be getting a little more serious about improving walk-ability in various cities and towns.

While it seems out-of-the way.It has gone from a sleepy outpost to a major resort destination in the last decade. There are more Airbnb's, VRBO's, and other short term rentals than anyone can imagine.  The new casino came AFTER the rush. It is a hotbed of a resort destination with the added distraction of the casino. Honestly, the casino may be a deterrent to the craziness, not an adder. THis place has blown up like Branson.

[rte66man]

It's interesting they're proposing that kind of work on such an out of the way location. I wonder if it's really meant to improve access in and out of the new Choctaw Landing Casino. Also, is any of this funding coming from stuff like federal grants?

In the big picture view, Oklahoma does seem to be getting a little more serious about improving walk-ability in various cities and towns.

While it seems out-of-the way.It has gone from a sleepy outpost to a major resort destination in the last decade. There are more Airbnb's, VRBO's, and other short term rentals than anyone can imagine.  The new casino came AFTER the rush. It is a hotbed of a resort destination with the added distraction of the casino. Honestly, the casino may be a deterrent to the craziness, not an adder. THis place has blown up like Branson.

It's a zoo on summer weekends. VERY dangerous due to clueless pedestrians

[Plutonic Panda]

A new regional transportation planning board to be formed for SW Oklahoma. Hopefully this leads to Lawton getting some well needed and deserved upgrades to its comical road network:

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has designated the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) Board of Trustees as the first regional transportation planning organization in Oklahoma. This designation is a significant milestone in regional transportation planning and recognizes the Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization's (SORTPO) long-standing dedication to enhancing mobility and infrastructure across 16 counties in Southwest Oklahoma. The designation also highlights ODOT's commitment to facilitating regional transportation planning and public engagement in non-metropolitan areas.

Under the designation, SORTPO will oversee regional transportation planning for Beckham, Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, McClain, Roger Mills, Stephens, Tillman and Washita counties.

The designation also allows SORTPO to:
Identify and prioritize critical transportation improvements

Develop and maintain a long-range regional transportation plan and a short-term regional transportation improvement plan
Increase public engagement and input on transportation projects

"On behalf of our friends and neighbors from across southwest Oklahoma, SORTPO policymakers are hard at work planning for our future transportation system so that we can all enjoy the benefits of a smooth and well-functioning network of highways and railroads across our region," said SORTPO Transportation Policy Board Chair Ed Barry.

The Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Organization Policy Board, consisting of local elected officials, public agency officials, tribal government leaders, railroad sector representatives, and economic development stakeholders, will serve as the forum for regional transportation decision-making.

"As a Custer County Commissioner, I have witnessed firsthand the value of regional transportation planning led by SWODA and SORTPO," said District 3 Washita County Commissioner Lyle Miller. "Long-range plans are instrumental in securing grants and funding for essential projects. Being designated as a Regional Transportation Planning Organization will further support these efforts and bring greater transportation opportunities to our communities."
The policy board will continue to guide regional transportation planning efforts by working closely with cities, counties, tribal governments, transit agencies, economic development organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that Southwest Oklahoma's transportation system is safe, efficient and responsive to community needs.

"With SORTPO overseeing Southwest Oklahoma planning efforts, they can develop more concise and public-driven plans across the region," said ODOT's Multi-Modal & Planning Division Engineer Jared Schwennesen. "We are excited to see what the future of regional transportation will become under the guidance of SORTPO."

For more information about SORTPO and its ongoing initiatives, visit www.sortpo.org.

[Bobby5280]

I'm skeptical some new committee or board will make much of a difference in Southwest Oklahoma (particularly Lawton). Every road building/improvement effort here appears to be done at or near the minimum of what it takes just to get by.

Improvements on Rogers Lane involve getting rid of some left turn movements with at-grade intersections and building in a few Michigan Left U-turns nearby. So far ODOT and the City of Lawton hasn't done much with the project. It has also taken them way too long to finish the pedestrian bridge over I-44 next to Gore Blvd. The project has technically been finished and open for a couple months. Yet they still have construction speed limit signs in place on I-44 and a few orange barrels and other crap to pick up. It makes me wonder of if the DOGE people fired the road crew staff that was supposed to mop up on the end of this project.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Creek Turnpike to become I-644?

From the April 7th commission meeting:

"This item is necessitated by the request of INCOG and pursuant to Federal Public Law 109-59, Section 1908 9(a)(1) Creek Turnpike, Oklahoma. —The [FHWA] Secretary shall designate as part of the Interstate System (as defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code) in accordance with section 103(c)(4) of such title the portion of the Creek Turnpike connection Interstate Route 44 east and west of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

a) Add the designation of I-644 to a 32.79-mile stretch of Turnpike known as the Creek Turnpike, beginning west of Tulsa at the Junction of I-44 and the Creek Turnpike and continuing to the east of Tulsa at the Junction of I-44 and the Creek Turnpike. 

This designation addition to the highway system will result in no change to the overall highway system of Oklahoma. This revision will become effective upon approval by the State Transportation Commission, approval from the AASHTO Special Committee on Numbering, and approval from the FHWA. Approval is recommended."

[CoreySamson]

Well so much for the 3xx numbering thing for Oklahoma toll roads. Maybe there is hope! I would love a new interstate in my back yard.

[Bobby5280]

Facepalm.

A bunch of that nonsense could have been avoided if the OTA hadn't painted itself into a corner with that stupid 3XX route numbering rule for state turnpikes. The method is okay, only so long as state highway designations are used. When Interstate designations are applied wackiness then ensues.

We ended up with the Kilpatrick Turnpike in OKC carrying an I-344 designation, despite the fact an OK-344 designation was already applied to the Gilcrease Expressway in Tulsa. It would have made more sense for the Kilpatrick to be numbered as something like I-440 or several other worthwhile options that didn't involve burning up I-x44 designations that would be better used in the Tulsa metro (or even Lawton, if such a thing was possible).

If/when the Gilcrease Expressway is fully built-out it might be able to carry an I-844 designation (which would be the only logical loop designation left for I-44 in Oklahoma).

Also, I-444 remains unsigned on the IDL around downtown Tulsa. Why did they choose to get the I-444 designation yet never use it? It seems to me if you don't use it you should lose it. More than half of existing I-244 could be set to disappear with the I-42 thing looming in the near future. It might actually represent a possibility to either re-route the I-244 designation or have I-444 replace whatever remains of I-244. Maybe I-444 could be applied to the Gilcrease Expressway, or even the Broken Arrow Expressway.

On the bright side, now that it looks like the OTA is ready to abandon the 3XX route numbering rule as it applies to Interstates, that opens the possibility other turnpikes in the OKC area may carry more logical designations. The East-West Connector Turnpike seems like a natural for a I-x35 designation, be it I-435 or I-835. We already have a I-635 nearby in Dallas.

[bugo]

I wonder if the OTA is ever going to request Interstate status for the other turnpikes.

[Bobby5280]

If so, they'll have to get pretty creative if they want to stick to that I-3XX rule. I-42 is set to overlay the Cherokee Turnpike and the Cimarron Turnpike. It would be possible to re-number the Muskogee Turnpike as I-340. If the Indian Nation Turnpike was fully brought up to Interstate standards as another I-x40 route.

I can't see the Chickasaw Turnpike ever getting an Interstate designation; it's only 2 lanes wide and doesn't directly connect to another Interstate highway.

If the H.E. Bailey Turnpike extension wasn't so screwed up by terrible urban planning via OKC suburbs it could be worthy of a I-x44 or I-x35 designation -or even a I-x40 number if it could connect to or cross over I-40 in some practical manner.

[Scott5114]

t would have made more sense for the Kilpatrick to be numbered as something like I-440 or several other worthwhile options that didn't involve burning up I-x44 designations that would be better used in the Tulsa metro (or even Lawton, if such a thing was possible).

Why does this matter, now that Tulsa is going to have a brand new pack of x42s they can break into more or less whenever? Hell, you could make the Creek Turnpike I-242 instead of I-644 if you wanted to; it intersects the path of I-42 and signing a 3di before its parent is established accepted practice.

I mean, yeah, Lawton can still only use x44s, but I doubt you're ever going to need 144, 544, 744, 844, and 944 in Lawton.

[Bobby5280]

Nothing in substance has happened so far with the Western I-42 thing. The designation has been approved, but as far I as can tell no route signage has been installed. At this point only a tiny bit of I-42 could be signed in the Tulsa area (along I-244). Upgrades on US-412 are needed on the edges of Tulsa before I-42 signs can be installed. Those upgrades will probably take many years to complete. The OTA's ACCESS Oklahoma projects might be completed before then and before any I-x42 designations could be used.

[The Ghostbuster]

That one pesky intersection at Diamond Head Dr. just east of the Arkansas River Bridge should be eliminated ASAP. Also, Exits 15 and 48 need to be reconfigured from their quadruple cloverleaf configurations. Outside of that, what other upgrades to the Interstate 35-to-Interstate 244 corridor would be needed to signpost the roadway as Interstate 42?

[kphoger]

That one pesky intersection at Diamond Head Dr. just east of the Arkansas River Bridge should be eliminated ASAP.

I may have mentioned this before, but my solution would be for Diamond Head Dr to extend southeast, paralleling the highway, then intersect OK-151 to form a four-way intersection where Weikiwa Rd currently tees out.

[swake]

The state has earmarked $10 million in 2029 to redo the Diamondhead interchange.

Here's the state's deck with the alternative solutions. I have no idea what they have chosen.

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/meetings/a2023/231205/US-412_Diamond_Head_boards_2023-11-27.pdf

[kphoger]

The state has earmarked $10 million in 2029 to redo the Diamondhead interchange.

Here's the state's deck with the alternative solutions. I have no idea what they have chosen.

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/meetings/a2023/231205/US-412_Diamond_Head_boards_2023-11-27.pdf

Oh hey, look, my idea is Alternative 2. 

[Bobby5280]

Outside of that, what other upgrades to the Interstate 35-to-Interstate 244 corridor would be needed to signpost the roadway as Interstate 42?

Between the East end of the Cimarron Turnpike and the IDL in Tulsa, the Sand Springs Expressway has all sorts of deficiencies that do not comply with current Interstate highway standards. Inner and outer shoulders are inadequate in many locations along that highway segment. The main lane pavement is in pretty poor condition much of the way as well.

The Sand Springs Expressway has a few exits with on/off ramps that are of outdated design. That includes exits for Old Keystone Road, Leroy Road, Peninsula North Drive, OK-97T/N 129 W Ave, Wilson Ave, 81st W Ave and S 65 W Ave. The other diamond interchanges along the way are passable.

Overall it is going to take a lot of work to improve the Sand Springs Expressway enough to make it good enough to carry an Interstate designation.

[Scott5114]

Nothing in substance has happened so far with the Western I-42 thing. The designation has been approved, but as far I as can tell no route signage has been installed. At this point only a tiny bit of I-42 could be signed in the Tulsa area (along I-244). Upgrades on US-412 are needed on the edges of Tulsa before I-42 signs can be installed. Those upgrades will probably take many years to complete. The OTA's ACCESS Oklahoma projects might be completed before then and before any I-x42 designations could be used.

Texas signed multiple x69s before mainline I-69 was signed. It doesn't matter.

[The Ghostbuster]

I think Texas has a different Interstate policy than Oklahoma and most other states (except maybe North Carolina).

[Scott5114]

It would be nice if Oklahoma had a policy at all.

[Plutonic Panda]

Just out of curiosity, are there any other states that have these weird cameras right when you enter or shortly after the state line?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pyUT7PaseFXwFLF28?g_st=ac

I'm not sure if I should post this in the "minor things that bother you" thread, but I thought this one was more appropriate given the fact, this is related to Oklahoma. I've just never seen this in any other state. The only other thing I've experienced like this. There's a border patrol checkpoint along I-10 in new mexico. Not to get political, but I do not like stuff like that. And I don't think it should be legal. But I comply, and i'm respectful, and i've not ever had an issue with any of the agents that work at those stations.

But I know the roads leading into oklahoma on I-35 and I-40 both have these very intricate camera setups.Let's snap a picture of you and flash you as you drive through it. Like I said i don't lose sleep over it and it's not something that I get too mad about. But I don't like it.

Are there other states that have something like this?

[Rothman]

Just out of curiosity, are there any other states that have these weird cameras right when you enter or shortly after the state line?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pyUT7PaseFXwFLF28?g_st=ac

I'm not sure if I should post this in the "minor things that bother you" thread, but I thought this one was more appropriate given the fact, this is related to Oklahoma. I've just never seen this in any other state. The only other thing I've experienced like this. There's a border patrol checkpoint along I-10 in new mexico. Not to get political, but I do not like stuff like that. And I don't think it should be legal. But I comply, and i'm respectful, and i've not ever had an issue with any of the agents that work at those stations.

But I know the roads leading into oklahoma on I-35 and I-40 both have these very intricate camera setups.Let's snap a picture of you and flash you as you drive through it. Like I said i don't lose sleep over it and it's not something that I get too mad about. But I don't like it.

Are there other states that have something like this?

Look like a semi-automatic weight enforcement system to me rather than anything to worry about.

[Plutonic Panda]

Just out of curiosity, are there any other states that have these weird cameras right when you enter or shortly after the state line?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pyUT7PaseFXwFLF28?g_st=ac

I'm not sure if I should post this in the "minor things that bother you" thread, but I thought this one was more appropriate given the fact, this is related to Oklahoma. I've just never seen this in any other state. The only other thing I've experienced like this. There's a border patrol checkpoint along I-10 in new mexico. Not to get political, but I do not like stuff like that. And I don't think it should be legal. But I comply, and i'm respectful, and i've not ever had an issue with any of the agents that work at those stations.

But I know the roads leading into oklahoma on I-35 and I-40 both have these very intricate camera setups.Let's snap a picture of you and flash you as you drive through it. Like I said i don't lose sleep over it and it's not something that I get too mad about. But I don't like it.

Are there other states that have something like this?

Look like a semi-automatic weight enforcement system to me rather than anything to worry about.

That's exactly what it is, but it takes pictures of every single vehicle that goes through it regardless as to whether or not it's a semi truck or a car. It's not something I worry about as I said I just think it's weird. And I don't think I've seen anything like it in any other state.