The new I-40 Crosstown Expressway will be a 10-lane interstate stretching four and a half miles from May Avenue to I-235 and is being built five blocks south of its current location. The project incorporates several amenities to the area to enhance the surrounding neighborhoods which include retaining walls complementing architectural aspects of Little Flower Church, a pedestrian bridge, and a new park.

Originally built in 1965, the I-40 Crosstown currently carries approximately 120,000 vehicles per day, nearly 50,000 over the intended capacity of 76,000. The new highway, designed to be a combination of ground-level and semi-depressed roadway, will carry up to 173,000 vehicles per day and replace the elevated thoroughfare presently in place.

The existing Crosstown will continue to be used while the new highway is being built, resulting in fewer construction delays for interstate motorists.

The new interstate is expected to open to traffic in 2012.

Once the new I-40 Crosstown is open to traffic, the old highway will be torn down to make way for an additional multi-lane boulevard reconnecting downtown Oklahoma City to the interstates.

The relocation of the Crosstown is estimated at approximately $650 million, using a blend of dedicated and regular formula federal dollars as well as state funds.