Latest news with #DriveOklahoma
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I-35 lanes to close at I-44 in Oklahoma City this weekend: See map, construction timeline
Driving on Interstate 35 this weekend may be difficult due to some lane closures. Starting 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, until 6 a.m. Monday, May 5, all southbound lanes on Interstate 35 between Wilshire Blvd. and N 50th St. will be closed for ongoing work in the area. Instead, all southbound traffic on the interstate will be directed to Interstate 44 West. From there, drivers can use southbound Interstate 235 to access Interstate 40 or continue south to other parts of Interstate 35. While the southbound lanes are blocked off, the northbound lanes on Interstate 35 will remain open. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recommends finding alternate routes on the Drive Oklahoma app. Drivers headed westbound on Interstate 44/Turner Turnpike, looking to avoid the work zone, can continue westbound on Interstate 344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike to southbound Highway 77 to access southbound Interstate 35 and westbound Interstate 44 or locate an alternate route. The eastbound Interstate 44 off-ramp to southbound Interstate 35 will also be intermittently closed during this work. Drivers can take eastbound Interstate 44 to southbound Interstate 235 to access Interstate 35 and Interstate 40. The following ongoing closures are in place through 2025 for bridge reconstruction: Northbound Bryant Ave. is narrowed to one lane between 50th St. and Aluma Valley Dr. through spring 2025. N 63rd St. is closed between Bryant Ave. and Martin Luther King Ave. North and southbound Interstate 35 is narrowed to two lanes in each direction between N 50th St. and Wilshire Blvd. Westbound Interstate 44 is narrowed to one lane from Wilshire Blvd. to Martin Luther King Ave. The southbound Interstate 35 on-ramp from Bryant Ave. is permanently closed. Motorists should expect congestion and delays in the area and are encouraged to plan extra travel time. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: I-35 lanes to close at I-44 this weekend: See map, work timeline
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Several accidents along I-35, I-44 ahead of weekend construction
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. LOCAL NEWS: Teen fined hundreds of dollars for doing donuts in Choctaw Creek Park 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. LOCAL NEWS: Federal funding cut from OKC nonprofit stopping gun violence 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Bitter cold and wind, modest snowfall put Rogers County on ice
Rogers County is on the other side of its coldest temperatures so far this winter. About 4 to 5 inches of snow fell in the Claremore area Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures spent most of the week in the teens, dipping into the negatives Wednesday and Thursday with brisk wind. Grace United Methodist Church in Claremore opened its warming center at 9 a.m. Tuesday, allowing people to have a meal, take a shower and stay nights until Friday at 9 a.m. Sunshine and no new snow Wednesday helped local, county and state crews make progress clearing the roads throughout the day, but area schools remained closed from Tuesday through Thursday. Rogers State University resumed classes Thursday after closing Tuesday and Wednesday. The weekend is ushering in warmer temperatures — up to 48 degrees Saturday and 61 degrees Sunday, according to AccuWeather. Most city and county buildings closed early Tuesday and stayed shuttered Wednesday, such as Will Rogers Library and the Rogers County Courthouse. John Feary, Claremore's city manager, said Tuesday police, fire, public works, construction and streets crews would work 24/7 in shifts during the week to treat city streets and respond to emergencies. The city said Wednesday that trash collection would be delayed by a day, ending Saturday instead of Friday, due to the weather. Diana Dickinson, spokesperson for Rogers County, recommended people to use the roads only if absolutely necessary while snowy and icy conditions persist. "This allows local, county and state crews to effectively clear and maintain the roads and bridges without the added obstacles of heavy traffic," Dickinson said. "Doing so makes it safe for everyone, makes snow and ice removal more efficient and allows emergency responders to reach their destinations with unimpeded access." People can use the Drive Oklahoma app or the state's Oklahoma Road Condition Map to survey the status of state highways. Photos from these sources come from cameras affixed to state snow plows.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rogers County roads still slick, snow-covered
As Rogers County experiences its coldest weather yet this winter, roads and streets remain treacherous for drivers. Snow blanketed major intersections Wednesday morning in Claremore, Catoosa, Oologah and other towns around the county following the Tuesday snowfall. The National Weather Service's Tulsa office reported the region will experience life-threatening cold through noon Thursday, with wind chill temperatures below zero. According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the Will Rogers Turnpike remains slick and snowy. Oklahoma Turnpike Authority crews are working on clearing it. "If you don't need to be out on the road, please don't be out on the road," said John Feary, Claremore's city manager, in a Tuesday video. Feary said police, fire, public works, construction and streets crews will work 24/7 in shifts the next few days to treat city streets and respond to emergencies. He said anyone who notices a particularly slick spot in city limits can report it to 918-341-1212, the Claremore Police Department's non-emergency number. Diana Dickinson, spokesperson for Rogers County, said county crews are at work clearing roads, and people should use them for emergencies or urgent needs only. "This allows local, county and state crews to effectively clear and maintain the roads and bridges without the added obstacles of heavy traffic," Dickinson said. "Doing so makes it safe for everyone, makes snow and ice removal more efficient and allows emergency responders to reach their destinations with unimpeded access." She said people can check the Rogers County Facebook page for weather updates. Claremore city and Rogers County offices closed early Tuesday and will remain closed throughout Wednesday. Area school districts likewise called snow days Tuesday and Wednesday. People can use the Drive Oklahoma app or the state's Oklahoma Road Condition Map to survey the status of state highways. Photos from these sources come from cameras affixed to state snow plows. According to AccuWeather, Claremore will experience a high temperature of 30 degrees Friday. The weekend will usher in warmer temperatures — up to 48 degrees Saturday and 61 degrees Sunday.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Icy weather leads to crashes and close calls on roads
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Roads continued to worsen throughout the day on Tuesday as snow started and the temperatures stayed cold. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority said three snow plows were hit by other drivers. 'We are really needing motorists to slow down in these conditions. They should probably be driving 50 mile per hour or less,' said Lisa Shearer-Salim, an OTA spokesperson. VIDEO: Semi sideswipes snow plow on Turner Turnpike near Chandler Snow plows are vital during weather like this and OTA said it's important to watch for them on roads. There were multiple car wrecks across the metro from the icy conditions. One truck even flipped over on the side of the road. Oklahoma City Police said if you do get into a wreck or spin out and you can't move to a safe spot, it's important to stay inside the car. 'Definitely call 911. We'll get the resources out to you to help get you safely off the road and get your vehicle moved off the side of the road,' said Sgt. Dillon Quirk, Oklahoma City Police Department. The colder weather is here for the next couple of days, but that's not stopping crews from working to keep roads as safe as possible. 'We will still utilize our material, but we will use less of it so that when the sun does come out and temperatures do rise a little bit, the material is there and ready to work. But we don't want to just dump unnecessary salt on the roads,' said Chris Daniels, the OKC Streets Superintendent. 'Traveling too fast': Accidents continue in the the metro, says OHP 'Our crews that are out on the roads work 12-hour shifts around the clock,' said Tara Henson, ODOT Communications. In addition to working 12-hour shifts, ODOT has 100 plows working across the state to keep the roads as clear as possible. Even with pre-treating the roads and monitoring them throughout the day, officials want to remind drivers to slow down. 'As conditions deteriorate, we really need people to give plenty of extra space to other vehicles and especially that 200 foot or more distance away from snow plow equipment,' said Shearer-Salim. For more road updates you can download the Drive Oklahoma app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
