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Having a major interstate overhaul is something to write about.  I just read an article on another Oklahoma City  web site about how new home construction was picking up in 2010, and thought that it went along with the street and Interstate work most of us have noticed.

Road construction for Oklahoma City and the surrounding area is not a new thing, but the massive rework of I-40 crosstown has had my interest for a while.  I make the trip to down town Oklahoma City most every day.  When exiting off of I-44 to I-40, you sometimes don't know what to expect.  The ramps have a way of moving around and changing lane entry.


 For the most part, I think the project has gone very well with very little impedance of traffic.  Others who take different routes may disagree with me, or provide some feedback. I drive in from the Northwest part of Oklahoma City.  I simply head south on the Hefner Parkway to I-40 Eastbound.  If traffic looks backed up, I sometimes exit off onto another east/west street to get me where I'm going. As far as commuters from Edmond, that travel the Broadway Extension, it may be more of a problem. The same goes from you that travel up I-35 from south Oklahoma City and the Moore area.

Usually the I-40 crosstown traffic seams to move very well. One of the bottlenecks I've noticed is where I-44 northbound merges westbound on I-40.  There are several major streets that all come together at the same area.  I'm sure this may make it a little slower for people traveling from the Yukon and Mustang area.

In the picture on the left, you are looking from the bridge that goes over the Oklahoma River on Agnew / Villa just south of where I-40 construction is going on such as the picture in the top right corner.

I shot most of these photos from the bridge in the picture below at the same location.  Soon the new Devon Tower will rise up above what we call the tall buildings downtown in Oklahoma City.

 

The guarded walking paths make you feel safe while crossing the river either by foot or riding a bike.  As you look down, there is a great view that leaves you feeling you are looking down the heart of Oklahoma City history.  You can also see the walking trails along the river that have been built for the public.  Although the Oklahoma River is a little cloudy now, I'm sure as time goes by, and construction ends, the water will clear up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Going south from the this bridge takes you to what is often know as Cow town, where the Oklahoma City National Stockyards exist.  Also the famous Cattleman's Restaurant is located in the heart of Cow town along with some great western wear stores and the Oklahoma Centennial Rodeo Opry can be enjoyed.

 

 

 

The Stockyard community is one of my favorites.  It reflects our City's history in a way that's hard to describe.  Just take a drive down sometime and look at the old pens the cattle go it.  It's funny that we have new record breaking sky scrapers going up less than a few minutes from a walk down the past at one oldest livestock producing areas in the country that remains pretty much unchanged.  People mention, and I agree, Oklahoma is one of the most versatile states the the US.  I believe the Oklahoma City and surrounding area fits in the versatile description as well.

Rick and Nancy,

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