When the H.E. Bailey Turnpike was opened in 1964, it connected to the Interstate system via a US 62 freeway. This freeway began at the end of the turnpike and followed what is now I-44 east to I-240 east back to I-35 where it turned north (This is US 62's routing to this day.) The section of former I-240/current I-44 north of the 44/240 split was not built for several more years. There is now a trumpet favoring the I-44 east to I-240 east movement (the former I-240 routing) but originally there was a really sharp curve. This Historic Aerials link shows the highway when it was configured that way.
What was the advisory speed for this curve? It looks to be pretty sharp from the picture. I imagine there were lots of wrecks here. Were there any special signs or warnings for the curve?
https://www.historicaerials.com/location/35.39466506302471/-97.5719404220581/1969/16
The 1964 Oklahoma highway map shows the section of this freeway between the 44/240 split and the 35/240 interchange as being built as far west as the curve. The 1965 map shows the entire freeway from I-35 to the beginning of the Bailey Turnpike as complete. How was this stretch of freeway signed before it was signed as US 62? When was it finally signed as I-240?
Quote from: bugo on January 16, 2019, 08:36:23 AM
When the H.E. Bailey Turnpike was opened in 1964, it connected to the Interstate system via a US 62 freeway. This freeway began at the end of the turnpike and followed what is now I-44 east to I-240 east back to I-35 where it turned north (This is US 62's routing to this day.) The section of former I-240/current I-44 north of the 44/240 split was not built for several more years. There is now a trumpet favoring the I-44 east to I-240 east movement (the former I-240 routing) but originally there was a really sharp curve. This Historic Aerials link shows the highway when it was configured that way.
What was the advisory speed for this curve? It looks to be pretty sharp from the picture. I imagine there were lots of wrecks here. Were there any special signs or warnings for the curve?
https://www.historicaerials.com/location/35.39466506302471/-97.5719404220581/1969/16
The 1964 Oklahoma highway map shows the section of this freeway between the 44/240 split and the 35/240 interchange as being built as far west as the curve. The 1965 map shows the entire freeway from I-35 to the beginning of the Bailey Turnpike as complete. How was this stretch of freeway signed before it was signed as US 62? When was it finally signed as I-240?
IIRC, it was signed as 15 MPH with very large yellow signs topped with multiple flashing lights. From the north terminus of the Bailey to I35 was signed as US62. I believe it wasn't signed as I240 until the section east to I40 was completed.