Sign project impacts traffic on I-40, I-235; expect travel delays in metro

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

A significant signage upgrade will take place this year along the I-40 and I-235 corridors in the Oklahoma City metro area, addressing 151 hard-to-read signs that have reached the end of their lifespan. Motorists should expect travel delays and congestion at the 10 structure upgrade locations through spring with additional work occurring along the interstate rights-of-way through fall.

Initial work began in early February and is having significant traffic impacts on I-235 between the I-40/I-235/Dallas Jct. and N. 23rd St. as well as on I-40 between Morgan Rd. and Portland Ave. just west of the I-40/I-44 Jct. The project features installing new monotube signage structures as well as 64 new overhead signs at the 10 locations in addition to replacing 87 ground-mounted signs along these sections of I-40 and I-235. Much of the ground-mounted sign installation work will have little, if any, impact to traffic as it will occur in the rights-of-way through fall 2023.

The majority of this signage has become difficult to read, especially, at night. Both the signage and the 10 sign structures are being replaced due to age and condition issues as part of the department's ongoing maintenance initiative.

"We appreciate the patience of I-40 and I-235 motorists during this project. The department recognizes there is never a convenient time to impact traffic, but this project will improve visibility and safety for motorists along the corridor for years to come," said Trenton January, ODOT District 4 Engineer, who oversees Oklahoma City metro highway projects. "We are finding ways to limit as much of the impact to motorists as we can, including closing shoulders instead of lanes when possible and some night work where feasible. Due to the size and weight of the new monotube sign structures and the large equipment needed to put them in place, it is safer to do day-time installations for that portion of the work."

Drivers should locate an alternate route or plan additional travel time at these locations.

Work under way includes the following locations:

The left lanes and shoulders of northbound and southbound I-235 will be closed at N.E. 23rd St. (mm 2A, 2B) and near Oklahoma City Blvd. (mm 1C) through Monday.
The southbound I-235 inside shoulder is closed and the left lane of northbound I-235 is closed at Lincoln Blvd. just north of I-40 in the Dallas Jct. through Sunday.
The westbound I-40 shoulder will be closed at Meridian Ave. (mm 145) through February.
The left lane of eastbound I-40 will be closed at MacArthur Blvd. (mm 143) through February.

Additional upcoming signage replacement locations through spring include:

Southbound I-235 at the I-40/I-35/I-235 Dallas Jct. between Sheridan and the I-40 Jct.
Northbound I-235 exit to N. 10th St. where most of the work will impact the ramp connecting to N. 10th St.
The westbound I-40 off-ramp to Morgan Rd. (mm 140)
Eastbound I-40 between MacArthur and Meridian
Eastbound I-40 just east of Meridian
Westbound I-40 just west of Portland Ave.

Work will be staggered across the 10 locations through spring and motorists may find daily updates on ODOT's Oklahoma City Traffic Advisory at https://www.odot.org, where the public also may sign up for a daily advisory email. Closures also will be posted @OKDOT on Twitter and Facebook. Traffic impacts in real-time are viewable at www.oktraffic.org or in the Drive Oklahoma mobile app.

The more than $3.5 million project was awarded in November by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission to Action Safety Supply Co. LLC.

Last Modified on Feb 15, 2023