Oklahoma City Drivers To See Some Relief In Construction Traffic

Drivers on I-235 or I-44 through Oklahoma City, no doubt have seen the construction. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is on track to wrap up the current phase after the holidays. But the new year means new traffic patterns, and one step closer to open roads. 

Since March 2019, Oklahoma City drivers have had to drive alongside those construction crews and orange cones at the I-235/I-44 interchange. 

"I try to avoid it to be quite honest," said Casey Lorance. "It's too much traffic, too much changing, the merge lanes are not really well marked. They just don't really have enough room to merge." 

The $240 million seven phase project right now is in phase six with expectations to wrap up that phase after the new year. 

Right now, the North 63rd St. exit on northbound I-235 is in its final configuration. 44 drivers also have direct access to N 63rd street thanks in part to a new flyover ramp; but there still is work to be done. 

"We have a lot of signage and striping that will have to be done," explained ODOT Spokesperson, Brenda Perry-Clark. 

Crews also have to saw and seal pavement, add water treatments, paint and clean graffiti. 

Lanes will also still shift and narrow on I-235 between N 50th and N 63rd Streets; and between Western and Kelley Avenue on 44 as the project continues. 

Drivers often don't realize the traffic pattern has changed. 

"I think that's more annoying than anything. Just because like one day you're going straight then the next day all of a sudden, it's merging that way," said Lorance. She added, "it's kind of trying to figure out am i supposed to go this way or this way to get off on Western." 

There is no set date on when crews will be finished with phase six. Phase seven won't start until 2023. The unseasonable holiday heat is helping the current project progress. 

"Definitely helps some of the final things that we're completing on this project because sometimes they require warmer temperatures and it does help our workers also to be able to complete some of the work," said Perry Clark. 

When there is a significant pattern change, ODOT does notify the public beforehand via social media.  To stay up to date with the latest traffic patterns follow links to ODOT social media https://twitter.com/OKDOT  https://www.facebook.com/OKDOT