Thursday, January 5, 2012
Drivers received the gift of a century with the grand opening of the new I-40 Crosstown in Oklahoma City Thursday, Jan. 5, to “unwrap” the first segment and celebrate the first time the public has travelled the much-anticipated highway.
Governor Mary Fallin, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, U.S. Rep. James Lankford, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, Oklahoma Transportation Secretary Gary Ridley, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Oklahoma City Chamber Board of Directors member Carl Edwards were on hand for the celebration Thursday when the eastbound lanes were opened. Westbound lanes are expected be open in several weeks.
The economic importance of the approximately $680 million project was highlighted with a convoy of vehicles representing companies, many of them Oklahoma based, that depend on I-40 and other highways to transport goods.
Oklahoma’s future drivers were also part of the celebration with the Linwood Elementary Choir on hand to sing the official Oklahoma state children’s song, “Oklahoma, My Native Land,” by Martha Kemm Barrett, which has transportation connotations.
The new Crosstown replaces the longest structurally deficient bridge in the state with a state-of-the-art roadway designed to safely carry today’s traffic and to serve as a gateway to Oklahoma’s capital city.
Fallin said the new highway is important not only to Oklahoma’s economy but also to the nation. Interstate 40 is one of two all-weather routes connecting the east and west coasts.
“This is fantastic news for Oklahoma and for the nation as we complete work on the corridor connecting the east and west coasts,” Fallin said. “Oklahoma really is the crossroads of America. As such, it's critical for both local and national commerce that we have safe and modern transportation infrastructure. More than 700 million tons of freight are shipped each year in our state on highways, railroads, waterways and air. Completing the I-40 Crosstown gives our infrastructure a big upgrade and helps to support a positive climate for trade, business growth and job creation.”
Fallin, who recently unveiled a plan to eliminate structurally deficient bridges from the state’s highway system, noted some of the beams from the bridge will be reused to help lower the number of structurally deficient county bridges throughout the state.
Inhofe said this project has long been on his radar, adding that a project as big as the new I-40 Crosstown requires significant work and cooperation at the federal, state and local levels.
“Commuters in Oklahoma City have endured detours and construction for many years,” Inhofe said. “Their patience and the hard work of so many has now paid off with a better and safer highway through downtown Oklahoma City. As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I am very proud to have played a part in this successful effort. I congratulate Gary Ridley and everyone who has been involved in this important project.”
Lankford said the new I-40 Crosstown will benefit Oklahoma City in many ways.
“With Oklahoma City’s current status as one of the strongest economies in the nation, the opening of the new I-40 Crosstown makes our future even brighter,” Lankford said. “The new section of I-40 is not only safer, but it also highlights the beauty of the Oklahoma River, the Boathouse district and the new SkyDance bridge. The cooperation between city, state, and federal governments on this project is an example for the rest of the nation to follow.”
Mendez noted moving and expanding the Crosstown has been a monumental undertaking. The four-mile ribbon of highway has been under construction for six years; before that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation spent 10 years building community consensus about the Crosstown’s new route and major features as well as planning and design.
“It’s a great day for Oklahomans to see this project becoming a reality,” said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. “It will make it easier for people to get to work and will create a more productive business and economic environment through better transportation solutions.”
Ridley said the new Crosstown will be safer and able to carry anticipated traffic volumes. As ODOT enters its second century of service to the citizens of Oklahoma, it is appropriate to leave a legacy for the future.
“This is the very best way to start our next century of transportation, because we stand on the shoulders of the people that we follow,” Ridley said. “We have a facility here that many, many generations will be able to use. Our contractors, consultants, suppliers, the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation, the Oklahoma City Chamber and our own employees have done a great job, and I think the public is going to be proud of this when they drive on it.”
Greg Love, who chairs the Oklahoma Transportation Commission and heads development efforts for Love’s Travel Stops, said he knows firsthand the importance of good roadways to business.
“The Crosstown is arguably the most significant project in the state since the completion of Oklahoma’s interstate system,” he said. “This four-mile stretch of highway is actually the junction of all three of Oklahoma’s major interstates with I-35 and I-44 intersecting I-40 at either end of the Crosstown. If Oklahoma is the crossroads of America, the Crosstown is its hub. As such, it is important in allowing cargo and commerce to efficiently make its way to destinations throughout the country.”
Cornett said the new highway will change the face of the city. He said the entire Crosstown expansion provides many opportunities to improve downtown Oklahoma City.
“This is the ribbon that will tie together the many improvements we see downtown, from Core to Shore to Project 180 to MAPS 3,” Cornett said. “This is a wonderful present not only for Oklahoma City but for all of Oklahoma. Partnering with ODOT on the new Crosstown sets the stage for the growth and continued renaissance of downtown. That partnership will become even more critical as plans for Oklahoma City Boulevard move forward.”
The Oklahoma City Chamber was one of the early supporters of the new alignment and its business significance. Edwards said the new Crosstown is important to Oklahoma City’s economy both for existing companies and attracting new employers.
“More than 350,000 people commute to work each day in Oklahoma County, and having good transportation is important in keeping existing jobs in Oklahoma,” Edwards said. “It is also crucial as we work to attract new business. The image of Oklahoma City is a vital component of business growth – impacting the ability to attract jobs, investment and talent.”
Drivers will have to get used to new on and off-ramps.
Eastbound off-ramps are now at:
Eastbound on-ramps are now at:
When the downtown connector route is built, other exits and entrances will be added.
Aesthetics incorporated into the project include the SkyDance pedestrian bridge as well as design details on other bridges and elements incorporated into retaining and screen walls that complement architectural aspects of the Little Flower Church. The SkyDance bridge was funded in part by ODOT and enhanced by the City of Oklahoma City.
Work continues at the Dallas (I-35/I-235) and Amarillo (I-44) junctions with paving near May Ave. expected to continue another year. Early in 2012, the next phase of the project will begin, which includes deconstructing the old Crosstown bridge and building downtown connector routes to the new interstate.
The original Crosstown bridge was built at a cost of $12.25 million nearly 50 years ago. It was designed to carry 76,000 vehicles daily, but currently carries as many as 125,000 – 50 percent more than envisioned.
The new Crosstown is designed to carry 173,000 vehicles daily. It includes five driving lanes in each direction and has enough pavement to cover about 92 football fields - including the end zones. Meanwhile, plans are being completed on the downtown connector route, which will further increase vehicle capacity.