Durant, OK US 70 bypass

[bugo]

Just south of Durant on US 69-75, there is an interchange under construction.  It appears to be an Oklahoma Stack (cloverleaf).  I'm assuming this is for a badly needed US 70 bypass of Durant.  I wonder if the bypass will be a full freeway?

[okroads]

I was in this area on Sunday and saw some grading taking place for the new bypass west of Durant. I do not know if the bypass will be a full freeway, but it would sure be nice. Knowing Oklahoma, they'll probably do a 4-lane at-grade expressway with a 55 mph speed limit...

[J N Winkler]

It is nice to be the bearer of good news.

I have just checked the bits of the Durant Bypass which have been advertised so far--job piece numbers 18847(04), 18847(05), 18847(06)--and it appears the bypass is to have full control of access with comprehensive grade separation of all intersecting roads.  It will, however, intersect with existing US 70 (in the west) at a flat intersection.

However, US 70 is not being bypassed all the way around Durant in the current round of construction.  The bypass will have a temporary terminus at a flat intersection with a shoo-fly detour of SH 78, just past the location of a future bridge which will carry SH 78 traffic over US 70.  Just two intermediate interchanges are being built--US 69-75 and US 69-75 Business.

I don't know what the speed limit will be because so far the only plans available are all for grading and bridges.  Signing on the US 70 bypass mainline will probably be part of future paving contracts.

[bugo]

Knowing Oklahoma, they'll probably do a 4-lane at-grade expressway with a 55 mph speed limit...

Sounds like somebody has been driving the Poteau bypass.

[okroads]

Knowing Oklahoma, they'll probably do a 4-lane at-grade expressway with a 55 mph speed limit...

Sounds like somebody has been driving the Poteau bypass.

Yep...and I'll probably be driving it again next weekend.

[bugo]

Sounds like somebody has been driving the Poteau bypass.

Yep...and I'll probably be driving it again next weekend.

I'll probably be driving it next week.  I always see cops on it, so be careful.

[bugo]

Here are a couple of pictures I took yesterday (3-16):

[agentsteel53]

what is the white arc in the sky at 2-3 o'clock?  rainbow?

[bugo]

what is the white arc in the sky at 2-3 o'clock?  rainbow?

Probably a smear on my windshield.

[Hellfighter]

Probably came from that ant that's your avatar... 

[yakra]

YAAAAAY Necroposting! Huzzah!

The bypass is now visible in OSM, as well as Google and Bing satellite views.

No idea if it's now open, of if an OSM editor jumped the gun.
If it's open, no idea whether it's signed as anything in particular.
No changes have been cleared with AASHTO to my knowledge (not that seems to bother Okladot any), though the Fall 2012 meeting is still on the way.

Do any of y'all closer to the area have anything new to report?

[Road Hog]

For a minute I thought the 69/75 bypass was being talked about and I thought "Duh, that's been open for years."

I hope they throw in a full interchange at the Choctaw Casino and while they're at it, make 69 through Calera full controlled access. That'll make it freeway grade from the Red River to Caney.

[rte66man]

I hope they throw in a full interchange at the Choctaw Casino and while they're at it, make 69 through Calera full controlled access. That'll make it freeway grade from the Red River to Caney.

The Calera piece won't happen in our lifetime.  Too expensive and no Republicans to push it through the Legislature.

rte66man