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I-40 CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY NEWS

Volume I, Issue 1

ODOT BEGINS PLANNING PROCESS

The Oklahoma Department of transportation (ODOT) has begun a comprehensive study of the I-40 Crosstown Expressway near the downtown area of Oklahoma City. The examination of this 7-mile section of the I-40 corridor will include a Major Investment Study (MIS) and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The planning process is expected to take approximately 18 months and will provide the opportunity to address the following:

• existing transportation problems
• long-term transportation needs and related issues
• possible alternatives to solve identified transportation problems
• the cost-effectiveness of various strategies
• the. likely social, economic and environmental impacts of the alternatives

WHAT ARE THE STUDY LIMITS?

The limits for the MIS are Northwest 10th Street on the north, 1-235 on the east, Southwest 15th Street on the south and Meridian Avenue on the west.

WHAT IS AN MIS? AN EIS?

The Major Investment Study is a specific approach to transportation corridor planning studies and the decision-making process that directly involves the public. During the MIS, data and information will be gathered that will allow for a complete evaluation of various alternatives to meet the 1-40 corridor needs.

An Environmental Impact Statement will include evaluation of the likely impacts of the proposed project on such conditions as noise, water and air quality, historical and archaeological resources, social and Economic characteristics, neighborhoods and aesthetics.

WHY THIS PLANNING PROCESS?

Physical conditions of the roadway have deteriorated to the point that some reconstruction is required. In addition, design standards have changed since the expressway was first built. Today this section of the interstate does not conform to the newer standards which improve highway safety and operation.

The section of 1-40 under study was completed in 1966. Upon opening, it served some 50,000 vehicles per day. Today, this 7-mile section of 1-40 carries from 88,000 to 100,000 vehicles per day. At the time it was designed, the Crosstown Expressway was "state of the art." Today, ramps have little or no deceleration lanes and ramps are too close together. Furthermore, curved ramps do not meet current design standards. Structural fatigue due to heavy repetitive loads is a factor in the deteriorating condition of the roadway.

Some rehabilitation of the bridge deck was undertaken in 1976-1977. Those improvements were expected to last only 15 years. Today the deck has many pot holes and needs continuous maintenance. Reinforcing steel of the concrete support piers is exposed; deck joints leak, and bolts are missing from the steel girder section of the bridge. Other problems persist. While the facility is in no danger of collapsing, it is expensive to maintain.

All these conditions affect the safety of motorists using this major interstate route. There were 476 accidents on this section of the interstate during the period from 1990 to 1993. This accident rate is considerably higher than that of most other interstate highways in the state. Most of these accidents were caused by driver error, speeding, and other typical causes.

Clearly, it is important to make improvements in this major transportation corridor.

WHAT ARE SOME POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES?

Some possible alternatives include:

• Reconstructing the exiting I-40 alignment
• Reconstructing I-40 approximately 300 feet south of the present alignment
• Reconstructing I-40 along the rail corridor paralleling Southwest 7^th Street
• A no-build or do-nothing alternative

Additional alternatives may be identified and evaluated during the study process.

IS THERE A LINK TO MAPS?

The citizens of Oklahoma City have approved a one-cent sales tax to finance several major projects in the city. This program, Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) is expected stimulate area economic growth and revitalization of the downtown area and other sections of Oklahoma City. Several MAPS projects are in the study area and will be considered when possible relocation of the alignment is analyzed. These projects include:

• the new 12,000 seat ball park in Bricktown;
• an indoor 20,OOO-seat sports arena;
• a remodeled Myriad Convention Center;
• a new downtown learning center and library;
• a Bricktown canal; and
• accelerated riverfront development.

These are all potential future traffic generators that could affect the design and capacity of the relocated facility.

The results of the MAPS Transportation Link MIS be incorporated into the 1-40 Crosstown Expressway MIS as the transit option. The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration have agreed to this to avoid duplication.

WHAT ARE THE STUDY GOALS?

Goal 1: To provide a central city transportation system that is safe and sensitive to area environmental and community impacts.

Goal 2: To enhance regional economic development and quality of life for communities and various segments dependent on transportation in the I-40 corridor.

for communities on Goal 3: To integrate transportation planning, design, and operation with regional land use and development patterns.

Goal 4: To provide a transportation system that meets the travel needs of people, goods, and services safely, efficiently, and comfortably.

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS?

A number of opportunities are built into the MIS planning process to encourage the community to become involved.

Public Meetings - A public meeting was held on January 16 and will be followed by another meeting during the study process. A public hearing will be held at the end of the process.

Citizen Advisory Committee - Composed of representatives of community, business, environmental and neighborhood organizations, scheduled to meet four times during the study. The committee's first meeting was January 16.

Technical Advisory Committee - Composed of representatives of federal, state, and city agencies, transportation-related interests and others with technical or professional expertise, scheduled to meet periodically during the study. The TAC held its first meeting on January 16.

Newsletter – This is the first issue of the I-40 Crosstown Expressway News, which is being published to inform the public about these studies. Three additional issues will be distributed, detailing the progress of the study and schedules for upcoming meetings. Newsletters will be mailed and also available at local libraries, ODOT, and through the hot line number.

Hot Line – An I-40 Hot Line has been established. If you have a question or comment about the MIS/EIS or about the public participation schedules, call 405-848-1440. This line is available 24 hours a day to take your calls.

Direct Mail – a mailing list of public officials, civic organizations, business and neighborhood groups, resource agencies, key individuals, media representatives and citizens will be updated continually and will be used for notification of public Meetings.

PROFILE: Meet Project Director David Streb

A native New Yorker, David Streb has made Oklahoma his home since 1982 when he was stationed as a meteorological equipment repair instructor at Fort sill, Oklahoma. After leaving the Army, David completed his civil engineering studies at the University of Oklahoma, receiving his degree in 1987. David has been with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) since 1987 and has served in a number of different capacities, beginning as a bridge design draftsman and quickly becoming a Research Division Project Manager. For the last three years, he has been an engineer in the Planning Division, working on long-range planning activities. David was the plan coordinator for the Statewide Intermodal Transportation Plan.

David and his wife Lauren, an electrical engineer, were married in 1983 and have two sons, Robert and Garrett. In his spare time, David can be found coaching his sons’ hockey and football teams. While he is an avid spectator, David also enjoys swinging a golf club or trying out his own skates or skis. The Streb family presently resides in Edmond.

GLOSSARY

ALTERNATIVES - options to be considered as solutions to a problem or problems

EIS - Environmental Statement {See Text)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE - the determination that adverse effects of a federally-funded project do not affect minority and/or low-income populations more than other populations.

FHWA - Federal Highway Administration

FTA - Federal Transit Administration

MAPS - Metropolitan Area Project, Oklahoma City capital improvement program

To add your name to the mailing list, complete this form and mail to:

David Streb P.E., Planning Division Oklahoma Department of Transportation 200·N.E. 21st Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3204
Telephone: 405/521-6916

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