I-40 CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY

PROJECT DETAILS

• Design Criteria:
  • Replace deteriorated 50-year old structure.
  • Maintain access during construction.
  • Increase safe operating speeds.
• Owner: Oklahoma Department of Transportation
• General Contractor: Muskogee Bridge Co.
• Epoxy-Coated Reinforcing Steel: 1600 tons of epoxy-coated reinforcing steel
• Total Cost: $600 million
• Length: 4.5 miles
• Date Opened: 2012

The original I-40 Crosstown Expressway in Oklahoma was built in the early 1960s, but 50 years later it not meet traffic demands. In 1988, Oklahoma DOT recognized significant issues with the 8,880 ft long twin bridges, which were the largest in the state. Repairs were costing over $1 million annually that required frequent bridge closings. The traffic on the bridge was almost double the design ADT of 76,000.

The I-40 Crosstown Expressway was complicated by four railway lines within the building corridor, utilities that crossed the area, and the location of the Oklahoma River that limited the number of access roads during construction.

In 2005, construction started on the new I-40 Crosstown Expressway, which was built south of the existing highway. The project incorporates 34 bridges with over 1 million square ft of deck. All deck was reinforced with epoxy-coated reinforcing steel.

Stretching four and a half miles, the new elevated roadway incorporated 10 lanes and establishes an additional six-lane boulevard into downtown. This provided easier access to the highway and enhancing first impressions of Oklahoma City. The new roadway also increased the maximum safe speeds to 70 mph and provides capacity for 173,00 vehicles per day.

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.