opened by Baloo Uriza (2018-04-07 03:08:33+00:00): ‘Off Broadway’ fourth full closure of I-235 debuts April 6
The I-235 Off-Broadway project in Oklahoma City will close for a fourth full weekend April 6-9 to remove the old BNSF railroad bridge from over the interstate. This is expected to be the final full closure allowed within the $88 million contract, however, nearly a year’s worth of construction work will remain when I-235 reopens April 9.

I-235 will be closed between N. 36th St. and I-44. The closure will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, April 6, after the evening rush-hour and the interstate is expected to reopen no later than 6 a.m. Monday, April 9.

Motorists also can expect the following ramp closures:

Eastbound I-44 to southbound I-235;
Westbound I-44 to southbound I-235; and
Northbound I-235 on-ramp from N. 36th St.
The contractor plans to remove the 50-year-old railroad bridge using two large cranes. Crews will pull apart the 277-foot-long structure in pieces and move them to a temporary location. Removing this structure opens up the needed space to expand the interstate to six lanes.

There will not be a public viewing area for this phase of the work due to numerous other construction activities taking place on the N. 50th St. bridge and elsewhere within the work zone. However, the bridge demolition may be viewed on a live stream video feed at www.i235live.com throughout the weekend or follow @OKDOT on Twitter and Facebook for updates.

Motorists can expect a significant traffic shift when the work zone reopens April 9. Southbound lanes will be moved toward the center on temporary pavement so that crews can work on adding the new southbound lanes. There are no changes expected for the northbound lane configuration at this time.

Previous full weekend closures for the project saw the removal of the N. 50th St. bridge, the installation of the new, 550-foot-long railroad bridge over the interstate and the hanging of beams for the new N. 50th St. bridge.

Work zone safety awareness month is April 2-May 2 and the department is urging motorists to use caution in all work zones year-round by putting away distractions, staying alert and not speeding. Even after the interstate reopens Monday morning, I-235 will remain an active work zone between N. 36th St. and I-44 through 2019. 

Motorists can expect I-235 to remain open with two lanes in each direction during peak commute times until the project completes, but the corridor remains narrow with little room to maneuver. Some additional lane closures may occur or traffic may shift as lanes are added. Motorists are reminded to stay Off Broadway for the duration of the project and use alternate routes such as I-35, I-40, I-44 and Lincoln Blvd. SH-74/Lake Hefner Parkway also is available as an alternate route, but motorists should be aware of construction traffic delays this weekend between N.W. 164th St. and N.W. 206th St./Covell Rd.

Stay tuned to www.odot.org and to the department’s Twitter and Facebook pages @OKDOT for updated lane closure information as the project progresses.

I-235 old BNSF bridge
The 50-year-old BNSF railroad bridge over I-235, shown here in front of the new 45-foot-tall truss bridge, will be removed April 6-9 to make way for the widening of the interstate to six lanes plus auxiliary lanes. Click on the image to download a high-resolution version.


I-235 alternate routes
Alternate routes to I-235 include I-35, SH-74/Lake Hefner Parkway, I-40, I-44 and Lincoln Blvd. The City of Oklahoma City also has offered alternate routes including N. 36th St., N. 23rd St., Reno Ave., N. Classen Blvd. and N. Martin Luther King Ave. Click on the image to download a high-resolution version.

—www.odot.org—

(Editors and News Directors: For more information, call the ODOT Media and Public Relations Division at 405-521-6000.)