I-40 Crosstown Construction To Be Completed Next Year

Gan Matthews, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Crosstown construction means big changes for drivers. Right now, new lane and ramp closures could mean more congestion and backs ups.

8/29/2011 Related Story: Major I-40 Crosstown Construction Begins.

The good news, the project will be done in less than a year. But for now, there are plenty of roadblocks.

The bird's eye view from Sky News 9 HD puts things in perspective. The path of the new Interstate 40 is plain, and much of it appears paved.

It's scheduled to be open to traffic in June of next year, just 10 months from now. In the meantime lane closures will become more and more frequent.

"We're wanting to flag drivers just to be aware to pay attention to the special direction signals," says Brenda Perry with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. "And to realize the condition is changing out here with construction quite a bit."

Once the new crosstown is open, crews will take down the old I-40. It will eventually become a ground-level major thoroughfare for downtown Oklahoma City.

The final cost for the 10-lane crosstown interstate will be $670 million.