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I-40 CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY NEWS

Volume I, Issue 4 September 1997

ALIGNMENTS FOR THE CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY TO BE DISCUSSED AT PUBLIC MEETING

Improvement or relocation of the downtown segment of the Crosstown Expressway (I-40) moved a step closer to reality during the past several months.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and their consultants, MacArthur Associated Consultants, Ltd., and Parsons Brinckerhoff, have developed a short list of alternatives to be presented at a public meeting on Thursday, September 18, 1997, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Civic Center, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The five construction alternatives are described on page 2.

The public meeting, open house format, will start with a brief presentation on proposed access locations and preliminary cost estimates for each of the alternatives. Following the presentation, the public will be encouraged to examine the maps and exhibits on display and to ask questions of ODOT and the consultants staff. Also, oral and written comments will be welcomed at this time. Based on comments received, ODOT will begin the process of selecting a preferred alternate.

In addition to the construction alternatives, a No-Build Alternative and a Transportation Systems Management (TSM) alternative will evaluate operational improvements to the existing system.

This will be the third public meeting during this study. In addition to input from these meetings, the study team has been working with a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). These groups have met several times to review and comment on study findings. The study is expected to be completed this Winter with a public hearing sometime next Spring.

ALTERNATIVES AND PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATES

Alternative A - The existing roadway upgraded and a parallel structure built immediately south of it; access at Robinson, Hudson / Walker, Blackwelder, and Agnew / Villa; Cost: $300 -$350 million;

Alternative B - New alignment 300 feet to the south of existing roadway; access at Robinson, Exchange / Klein, and Agnew / Villa; Cost - $250 - $335 million;

Alternative B3* - New alignment 1200 feet to the south of the existing roadway; access at Robinson, Western / Exchange, and Agnew / ViIla; Cost - $350 million;

Alternative D - New alignment 2200 feet to the south of existing roadway on railway Right-of-Way (ROW); access at Robinson, Western, and Agnew / Villa; Cost $170 - $220 million;

Alternative D2 - New alignment 2200 feet to the south of existing roadway (on railway ROW, with blvd. in existing 1-40 ROW); access at Shields, and Agnew / VilIa; Cost $200 - $250 million.

Very preliminary cost estimates have been prepared for the alternatives shown on the accompanying map. These estimates include only right-at-way (ROW) acquisition and construction costs. Environmental (hazardous waste clean-up, noise mitigation, social-economic impacts to neighborhoods and businesses) long-term maintenance, road user, and safety costs of each alternative will be estimated and made available later this year.

*During the course of the study and discussions with committee members, an Alternate B3 emerged. This alternate addresses the concerns of the downtown business community related to access to and from 1-40, access to the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS), and access to the Bricktown area

SPECIAL FEDERAL FUNDING FOR I-40 SOUGHT

At a recent joint meeting of the Citizens and Technical Advisory Committees (CAC and TAC), David Streb, ODOT Project Manager, announced that the Department had submitted six "Projects of National Significance" proposals for federal funding. The I-40 project was one of these. A presentation was made to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. ODOT officials believe that the I-40 project has a good chance for funding, because of some unique characteristics, i.e., safety, the junction with 1-35, (the NAFTA corridor), and the proximity to downtown. Congressman Bud Shuster, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will visit the I-40 project site on August 25, 1997 to review current conditions.

PROFILE: Meet Bob Rusch, Bridge Division Engineer

The ODOT Bridge Division is primarily responsible for bridge design. If you’ve driven on I-35 in Oklahoma you’ve driven on a bridge that was designed with Bob Rusch as Project Manager.

Bob Rusch is a man with a special interest in the outcome of the Crosstown Expressway Major Investment Study and Environmental Impact Statement. As the Bridge Division Engineer, he would be responsible for any segment of the roadway that is elevated.

Bob began his career with the Department in 1969 as a designer in the Bridge Division. His career in that division has included posts as a project engineer, Assistant Bridge engineer for County Bridges, and Assistant Bridge Engineer for Design. He was appointed Bridge Division Engineer in 1996.

Bob is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, having received his bachelor degree in civil engineering in 1963.

When he is not designing bridges, Bob roots for the OU Sooners football team and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. His family includes his wife, Darleen, and six children.

What’s Next

The two advisory committees will meet again this year to review factors to be considered in the selection of the preferred alternative for the I-40 reconstruction. The draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be completed by spring 1998.

Items to be considered are:

• Traffic – Existing traffic counts and projected (Year 2020) assignments will be used to study required number of lanes, and access ramps, traffic demands, etc.

• Environmental Data – The environ- mental factors include noise, air quality, hazardous waste sites and potential mitigation measures, impacts on parks and recreational areas, relocation costs for both residential and businesses, impact to neighborhoods, historical and cultural resources, etc.

• Other Social and Economic Factors

Once the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approves the Major Investment (MIS)/DEIS, a public hearing will be held to receive local input and comments. The MIS / DEIS will be finalized, based on comments received and local input, and then transmitted to FHWA for final approval (Record of Decision – ROD) The MIS / Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) will then be submitted to the Oklahoma Transportation Commission for action. Also during the process, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) will be asked to adopt the report and include it in the long range plan for the ACOG area.

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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