Oklahoma

[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.

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.

How do you know this?

[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.

How do you know this?

Because I drive through it over a dozen times a year. Why would it flash me if it's not taking a picture?

[bwana39]

There are traffic cams all over the place. It is not like these are the only cameras out there.  BTW Louisiana has an exact system at Greenwood.

[kphoger]

The weigh station is a Prepass site.  Truckers receive a green or a red light, via in-cab device or other app, depending on whether they're cleared to bypass the weigh station.  Cameras at such locations can capture the truck's license plate, USDOT number, inspection decal, and hazmat placards.  I also see evidence of at least two types of detectors in the right lane in advance of the weigh station.  Some of those detectors probably give a ballpark load weight, and others are probably looking for signs of poor truck maintenance (a tire going flat will run hotter than a properly inflated one).  And trucking companies with a recent high number of violations will have a greater percentage of their trucks given a red light signal.

Obviously, for this system to work, they need to take pictures of every vehicle—and not just the trucks in the right lane.  Note that there are also RFID sensors over both lanes downstream of the weigh station exit.

[Plutonic Panda]

Interesting. Like I said, it doesn't really bother me that much. I've just never noticed such an intricate in advanced system anywhere else though I've obviously seen traffic cameras and stuff like that.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/about-us/transportation-comission/agenda/2025/r/tc_agenda-202505.pdf

A new interstate designation will be coming to the Muskogee Turnpike from the Creek Turnpike to I-40.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Indian Nation Council of Governments have requested to redesignate the Muskogee Turnpike as Interstate 343.

a) Add the designation of I-343 to a 52.31-mile stretch of Turnpike known as the Muskogee Turnpike, beginning at the Junction of the Creek Turnpike and the Muskogee Turnpike and continuing south to the junction of the Muskogee Turnpike and I-40. 

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 Oklahoma Transportation Commission, approval from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering, and approval from the Federal Highway Administration. Approval is recommended.

[Scott5114]

343? What?

I hope that's a typo for 342...

[Great Lakes Roads]

343? What?

I hope that's a typo for 342...

Or 340...

[Rothman]

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/about-us/transportation-comission/agenda/2025/r/tc_agenda-202505.pdf

A new interstate designation will be coming to the Muskogee Turnpike from the Creek Turnpike to I-40.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Indian Nation Council of Governments have requested to redesignate the Muskogee Turnpike as Interstate 343.

a) Add the designation of I-343 to a 52.31-mile stretch of Turnpike known as the Muskogee Turnpike, beginning at the Junction of the Creek Turnpike and the Muskogee Turnpike and continuing south to the junction of the Muskogee Turnpike and I-40. 

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 Oklahoma Transportation Commission, approval from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering, and approval from the Federal Highway Administration. Approval is recommended.

AASHTO has made some boneheaded decisions, but even they might wonder about this one.

[I-55]

It had to have been 340 since it isn't supposed to follow OK-51 past the Creek Turnpike, thus making it an x40 or x44.

At some point AASHTO needs to sit down with Oklahoma like a teacher with a student who keeps submitting homework done wrong. I can forgive 335 and 344, even though I would've preferred even digits (especially with 344 supposedly connecting back to I-44 in the future). I-240 ending where it does only makes sense with 344 being extended in the future. When I saw I-644 being proposed for the Creek Turnpike I thought they were getting on the right track. But 343 is just out of left field, even with 340 being the most likely number I don't know how that second 3 got there. I-340 should be the only one of these turnpikes to start with an odd digit.

[Bobby5280]

More of this I-3XX nonsense? After the route naming junk that happened in OKC it really wouldn't surprise me if OTA really wanted an "I-343" designation applied to the Muskogee Turnpike (despite the I-43 parent being located in Wisconsin). Hell, why not just apply for a "I-351" designation instead? There is no I-51 in existence, but why should that matter? Name the Creek Turnpike "I-364" while they're at it. Maybe we can start using other designations for Interstate routes. We can have "Interstate Cat" and "Interstate Hamburger."

At least this is something regarding Oklahoma I can laugh at a little. Other things are going on that are far more embarrassing and destructive, such as the lunacy happening with the state's public schools. The state's ability to attract new businesses and new families is going to be hurt severely by this. Here in Lawton I can easily imagine Fort Sill moving to build its own middle school and high school to shield DOD dependents from Oklahoma's culture war shit. They may not be able to do so with the current administration in charge. But the Army isn't going to forget about it either.

[bwana39]

and you guys complain about Texas and our only applying IH numbers when Washington DC says we must

[mrose]

I-343?

I'm guessing they thought they were in Wisconsin?

[Bobby5280]

and you guys complain about Texas and our only applying IH numbers when Washington DC says we must

I don't seem to recall the government forcing the "I-14" thing on Texas. IIRC it was elected politicians in Texas who floated the idea.

[swake]

I'm very confused. 343 makes no sense at all.

Also:

Why does I-343 stop at the Creek Turnpike? Why not terminate at I-44 or I-444 downtown?

Is the Creek going to get an Interstate designation as well?

[jdingus]

They already voted to approve Creek Turnpike to I-644 last month.

[The Ghostbuster]

If the Creek Turnpike does become Interstate 644, maybe they can finally number the exits south of Exit 28. If OK 51/351 becomes an Interstate Highway (preferably Interstate 340), the designation should have a western terminus at Interstate 244.

[Bobby5280]

Yeah, it would make sense to have a single Interstate designation run along all of the Broken Arrow Expressway from the IDL in downtown Tulsa out past the Creek Turnpike. Right how the expressway is signed as US-64 on one portion, OK-51 on another portion and OK-351 on yet another portion.

Even though that approach would make sense, it seems more likely the OTA would just have the "I-343" designation (or whatever it's going to be) just end at the current split between OK-51 and OK-351.

[bugo]

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odot/about-us/transportation-comission/agenda/2025/r/tc_agenda-202505.pdf

A new interstate designation will be coming to the Muskogee Turnpike from the Creek Turnpike to I-40.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Indian Nation Council of Governments have requested to redesignate the Muskogee Turnpike as Interstate 343.

a) Add the designation of I-343 to a 52.31-mile stretch of Turnpike known as the Muskogee Turnpike, beginning at the Junction of the Creek Turnpike and the Muskogee Turnpike and continuing south to the junction of the Muskogee Turnpike and I-40. 

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 Oklahoma Transportation Commission, approval from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering, and approval from the Federal Highway Administration. Approval is recommended.

I had to check the date, thinking this was posted on April 1. What is the OTA smoking? Where did they get this number? It doesn't run anywhere near OK 43, and I-43 is way up in Wisconsin. They must have pulled it out of their ass. Hopefully AASHTO will deny it and approve something like I-640 or I-840.

This document also mentions that the Creek Turnpike will be designated I-644. This number makes perfect sense. Now will the Gilcrease Turnpike get an I-number?

[The Ghostbuster]

The only number left for a Gilcrease Expressway/Turnpike designation would be Interstate 844. I'd prefer that the OK 344 designation be maintained and extended along the entire duration of the Gilcrease.

[okroads]

Sign replacement coming to the I-35/44 overlap in OKC! On the January 2025 letting from ODOT (January 16th)...

Edit: Yes, the new signs will include the I-344 designation on the JKT.

This is interesting to me because these signs were just replaced in 2018 as part of a project where new signage was posted on most of I-35 from Norman to Edmond. Looking at the sign plans, only a few signs look different than what were posted in 2018, and most of those are related to Kilpatrick becoming I-344 with the addition of Yukon as a control city.

All this while there are some signs on I-35 north of the OKC metro which have been there since the 90s.

[Bobby5280]

I had to check the date, thinking this was posted on April 1. What is the OTA smoking? Where did they get this number? It doesn't run anywhere near OK 43, and I-43 is way up in Wisconsin. They must have pulled it out of their ass. Hopefully AASHTO will deny it and approve something like I-640 or I-840.

I'm praying the "I-343" number is a typo. If the AASHTO approves that incorrect designation it would be a signal that there is no working numbering system for Interstate highways anymore. Some politician needing a route number for a freeway/toll road project will grab any vanity number he desires.

I'd prefer that the OK 344 designation be maintained and extended along the entire duration of the Gilcrease.

When I first saw the OK-344 designation in Tulsa I thought it was labeled that way with the intention to eventually change it to I-344. Then the dopey stuff with I-344 happened in OKC. The route naming conflict could be solved with an I-844 designation applied to all of the Gilcrease Turnpike when it is completed.

[The Ghostbuster]

Whatever designation is applied to the entirety of the Gilcrease, I think the OK 11 designation should be truncated to its interchange with US 75. I don't think the US 75-to-Interstate 244 segment needs to have an OK 11/OK 344 duplex, it seems unnecessary to me.

[swake]

The only number left for a Gilcrease Expressway/Turnpike designation would be Interstate 844. I'd prefer that the OK 344 designation be maintained and extended along the entire duration of the Gilcrease.

I-X42 will be available. I-342 since I-344 is now taken.

[bugo]

I sent an email to my ODOT contact asking about the "I-343" designation today. I might ought to send it to the OTA as well.