Several accidents along I-35, I-44 ahead of weekend construction

Yahoo

29-04-2025

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — With so many injury accidents happening at the interchange, a metro construction zone seems more like a 'danger zone.' ODOT wants drivers to pay attention, especially this weekend when more changes are planned.
'Even if you are familiar with it, there are a lot of changes happening regularly,' said Bryce Boyer, with ODOT.
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I-35 and I-44 is a sea of construction in Northeast Oklahoma City.
Boyer said local drivers are familiar with the traffic cones, construction crews, and narrow lanes.
'Narrowing lanes is part of any real project,' said Boyer.
In the past eight days, we've seen four major accidents. It's been a known trouble spot, while ODOT works on the project through the end of the year.
Unfortunately, Boyer said, those narrow lanes are necessary.
'The lanes do have to be more narrow than traditional lanes so that way we can continue to work off the road,' said Boyer. 'It is a tighter configuration than it will be.'
With this week's wet weather expected, paying extra attention in this area is vital.
Right now, no extra lighting is planned until the final phase of the project.
To add to this, construction is planned for this weekend. From 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday, southbound I-35 will close between Wilshire and NE 50th. Southbound traffic will be diverted to westbound I-44.
Also, the eastbound I-44 off-ramp to southbound I-35 will also be intermittently closed.
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ODOT said this will help straighten out the curve and ponding issues.
'So when we do have some more spring storms and summer showers, it will help move that water off the roadway,' said Boyer.
If you're in that area, put away distractions. Remember, the reduced speed limit signs are only for clear conditions. Drive accordingly.
Drivers looking to avoid the work zone should consider finding an alternate route such as US-77/E. 2nd St. (mm 141) in Edmond and travel west to southbound I-235 to access southbound I-35 and westbound I-44 or locate an alternate route on the free Drive Oklahoma app.
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