Oklahoma’s I-40 project completed

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The final phase of the I-40 Crosstown reconstruction in Oklahoma City opened to traffic earlier this month from E.K. Gaylord Boulevard/Shields Boulevard to just east of Klein Ave.

The project has taken $730 million and nearly 25 years to complete. The final phase cost $27 million and was completed in 18 months. The project had five phases.

The project relocated I-40 five blocks south of its old location and replaced the 4-mile-long, structurally deficient bridge with a ground-level, four-lane city street with connections to surrounding interstates.

“While this all started as an interstate reconstruction and safety project, it continues to open many doors for change in our capital city,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “Few cities of this size have the ability to literally start from the ground up with new boundaries for growing businesses and tourism. This project is a great example of the community working with the state to thoughtfully plan out their growth for decades to come.”

Landscaping, traffic signals, and street lighting will be installed through late September. Once completed, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will turn the roadway over to Oklahoma City to maintain and operate.

Drivers should expect temporary lane closures through September.