I-44/US-75 Interchange Reconstruction(Tulsa)

[Scott5114]

This interchange's temporary configuration has (or at least had) some of the jankiest merges that I've ever seen on a freeway (stop signs on the loop ramps, unclear cone placement, etc.).

That's par for the course for Oklahoma work zones. I-235/I-44 and the I-35 six-laning in Norman were both notorious for ramps that suddenly ended at a merge-or-die concrete wall. I myself got into two accidents at the latter.

[Plutonic Panda]

The entire project should be under construction by fall of next year and here's an article on it: https://www.krmg.com/news/local/work-add-flyover-ramps-i-44us-75-begin-next-year-ahead-initial-schedule/FBJ2D54AR5HYPNXO6JMO42E3RY/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3Vme9rGmrTeM9-dmrYF75eWYrQseOajiFQlG7Gssc-M_VF0i0RGnA879Q

[splashflash]

How,about Traffic Henge?

https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/as-construction-stalls-tulsans-refer-to-i-44-75-project-as-traffic-henge

With phase one of the I-44 and Highway 75 construction project complete and next phases not underway, there are now several ramp beams–but no roads on top of the beams.

Leave it up to an artist like Tulsan Steve Liggett to find an alternate and humorous view of its current look.

"We thought, "this is just like Stonehenge but it's in Tulsa... so Traffic Henge?"  he said, referring to when he and his partner drove by and snapped a photo.

That photo and whimsical post about "Traffic Henge"  garnered hundreds of shares. One commenter vowed to call it Traffic Henge, "until it's complete... which means forever!"


In fact, ODOT tells 2 News the project is ahead of schedule. The five-phase project can't happen at once due to funding. However, $95 million in grant money will allow them to start three of the phases next year.

[Plutonic Panda]

Update from Tulsa World on this project which is schedule to begin the next phase this fall:

OKLAHOMA CITY — Bridge columns that have been referred to as "traffic henge" at the interchange of Interstate 44 and U.S. 75 in Tulsa are on track to get more attention this year from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Work on Phase 1 of a multiphase project to update the highly trafficked interchange was completed in late 2022. Since then, passing motorists have gotten used to seeing the bare columns rising to the sky with nothing stretching between them.

Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, asked for an update on plans when ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz met recently with lawmakers on the Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee.

Gatz said bidding on the next phase of work is scheduled to begin this fall.

In Phase 1, the base work was completed for what will be "flyover ramps" for drivers to get from one highway to the other. The first phase also included the widening of I-44 from four lanes to six between Union Avenue and the Arkansas River bridge, reconstructing bridges around the interchange and reconfiguring several ramps.

According to a 2022 traffic survey, about 68,000 motorists pass through the area on I-44 daily, and about 65,000 pass through on U.S. 75.

"When those interchanges were out in the middle of a pasture, they functioned very well, but they're not anymore. They have huge traffic volume pressure on them now," Gatz said. "What you're seeing out there now is just a phase. What you'll see next is about a $200 million investment."

Work on the interchange overall will cost more than $400 million, the transportation director said.

Gatz said an $85 million National Infrastructure Project Assistance grant will help to accelerate the next phase of work. The federal grant program was launched in 2022 to support complex projects that are likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility or safety benefits.

According to the eight-year plan, Skelly Drive also is due for improvement, and a new access road will be built between 61st Street and Skelly Drive. Additionally, a pedestrian bridge will provide a connection to Tulsa's River Parks Trail; bike lanes will be added on West 61st Street; and sidewalks will be added along West 51st and 61st streets, 49th West Avenue and Skelly Drive.

Rogers also asked Gatz about factors that affect ODOT's eight-year plan.

The transportation director said inflation has affected scheduling.

"If you consider what inflation has done since 2019, we're on about a 63% increase in highway costs," Gatz said. "We can't account for something like that in our projections, so we have to make adjustments. So we're getting less work done in the context of the eight-year plan."

- https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/traffic-henge-at-i-44-u-s-75-due-for-attention-this-year-lawmakers-told/article_6fae817e-1ac2-11ef-b343-432547f0158a.html