I-40 funds keep project on track
By John Greiner
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Published: October 7, 2008
Construction of section of the new Interstate 40 Crosstown Expressway where it crosses Byers Avenue east of downtown Oklahoma City. State transportation officials approved funding that will allow the project to be finished by 2012.
Completion of the new Crosstown Expressway by 2012 is part of a $3.8 billion state highway construction program approved Monday by state transportation commissioners.
Nearly $195 million of the plan is for completion of the new Interstate 40 Crosstown in
Oklahoma City. The plan has no money for tearing down the old Crosstown and building a boulevard in its place. A funding source hasn't been found for that part of the Crosstown project, state
Transportation Director Gary Ridley said last month.
Estimated money for the eight-year plan includes about 60 percent in federal dollars and 40 percent in state dollars.
Before the
Oklahoma Legislature increased state appropriations for the highway program, the eight-year plans usually relied on 85 percent federal money, Ridley said.
In the plan is $300 million in bonds that were approved this year by the Legislature.
The legislation states that the first $150 million in bonds can be issued after July 1, 2009, and the second $150 million after July 1, 2010. But nothing says the Transportation Department can't wait until later than 2010 to issue the bonds if there are problems with the economy, said
Terri Angier, department spokeswoman.
Ridley said estimates are conservative on projected federal and state funding for the eight years.
The cost of road materials is unknown, so officials built into the estimate a 6 percent increase per year for inflation, Ridley said.
“We're absolutely sure of one thing: We'll have to make adjustments,” the transportation chief said.
Robinson exit will be improved
The eight-year plan is updated each year to reflect projects that have been completed, current technology and adjustments in projected state and federal revenue and changes in construction costs, he said.
“This plan is a long-term commitment to rebuild our system and improve safety for those who use it,” Ridley said.
A $1.25 million project to improve the Robinson exit ramp from the old Crosstown Expressway was among contracts approved Monday by the commission. The city of Oklahoma City will pay 100 percent of the cost of the contract.
The project will move the ramp to accommodate expansion of the
Ford Center, where the
NBA Oklahoma City Thunder will be playing.
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The costs of the I-40 re-route are estimated to be $667 million… for 4.3 miles of highway. As poor a plan as the 2004 Carter-Burgess mass transit plan was, the cost for its full implementation would cost less. It would build new tracks connecting Edmond and Norman to OKC and provide intra-city fixed-guideway transportation throughout central OKC and some outlying areas.
If the current Crosstown is so dangerous, why hasn't ODOT re-routed heavy truck traffic to the outer loops? Why haven't they re-surfaced the current I-40 Crosstown? Do they expect current physical conditions to suffice for another 4 or 5 years?