- Back -

Information Release - Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation

Shields Blvd. closes temporarily as Crosstown progresses

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is advising motorists that construction on the new I-40 Crosstown necessitates a temporary closure of Shields Blvd. near downtown Oklahoma City.

Beginning February 18, all lanes of Shields Blvd. will be closed between S.W. 29th St. and S.W. 6th St. until early 2009 for bridge work. During construction, the bridge will be adjusted to make room for the new I-40. Drivers must find an alternate route and in working closely with that City of Oklahoma City, a signed detour will be placed along Walker Ave.

Six in the series of some 20 construction projects required to rebuild the Crosstown have begun and are at various stages of progression. The following is a list of closures is currently affecting city streets:

• Reno Ave. is narrowed at Pennsylvania Ave. through February for utility work.
• Pennsylvania Ave. is closed between Reno Ave. & Exchange Blvd. until late 2009 for bridge work. Detour signs are in place.
• S.W. 7th St. is closed between Broadway Ave. and Santa Fe Ave. until further notice for rail work. Detour signs are in place.
• Robinson Ave. is closed at S.W. 23rd through March for rail and road work. Detour signs are in place. Access to Will Rogers Park is still available.

During the next few years, engineers anticipate additional closures to affect S. Lincoln Blvd. (formerly Byers Ave.), Western Ave., Exchange Ave., Robinson Ave., Walker Ave., Shartel Ave., Agnew Ave. and May Ave. over the course of the project. As the project progresses and details become available, ODOT & the City of Oklahoma City will keep drivers informed.

Transportation officials ask for driver's patience as work becomes more and more visible. Drivers are cautioned to stay alert in the area and heed the street signs. For current traffic advisories, visit www.okladot.state.ok.us.

There have been two permanent closures that have resulted from features being provided in the new design. These include: the eastbound I-40 exit to Lincoln Blvd. and S.W. 9th St. at Lee St., east of Shartel.

The new I-40 Crosstown Expressway is being built south of the existing highway. It stretches four and a half miles from May Avenue to I-235, will incorporate 10 lanes and establish a boulevard into downtown Oklahoma City. Originally built in 1965, the I-40 Crosstown currently carries more than 120,000 vehicles per day, nearly 40,000 over the intended capacity of 76,000. The new highway, designed to be a combination of ground-level and a semi-depressed roadway, will have the capacity to carry up to 173,000 vehicles per day and will replace the elevated thoroughfare presently in place.

The new interstate is expected to be open to traffic in 2012 and is estimated at approximately $560 million. The project is federally funded using a blend of earmark and regular formula federal dollars.

-www.okladot.state.ok.us-

(Editors and News Directors: For questions regarding the Crosstown, please call the ODOT Media & Public Relations Office at 405-521-6000.)

- Back -