Lane Reductions on I-40 and I-240 to Impact Thursday Morning Commute

Thursday Traffic Alert: Major Arteries Facing Restrictions

Today, Thursday, February 5, 2026, Oklahoma City commuters should prepare for several planned lane closures and ongoing construction projects that will significantly impact travel times across the metro area. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has issued several specific advisories for today’s drive, particularly affecting those traveling on I-40 and I-240.

Immediate Impacts on I-40 and I-240

Motorists traveling westbound on I-40 near the US-335/Kickapoo Turnpike should expect notable delays today. Starting at 8:00 a.m. and continuing through 5:00 p.m., westbound lanes will be narrowed to accommodate routine sample testing. This restriction is expected to create a bottleneck for those commuting into the city from the eastern suburbs.

Additionally, those using westbound I-240 on the south side of the city will encounter a work zone between South Pennsylvania Avenue and I-44. This stretch will be narrowed from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for surface repairs. Commuters are encouraged to adjust their departure times or seek alternative routes to avoid the mid-day congestion in this area.

Long-term Construction Updates

In Midwest City, the major reconstruction of the I-40 and Douglas Boulevard interchange continues to be a primary concern for the morning and evening rush. I-40 remains narrowed to just two lanes in each direction between I-240 and Town Center Drive. Drivers should use extra caution as the work zone features significant lane shifts and a total lack of shoulders. Detours via I-240 or US-62 are recommended for those looking to bypass the congestion near Tinker Air Force Base.

On the southwest side of the city, the widening project near Will Rogers World Airport remains active. Eastbound and westbound SH-152 is narrowed, and I-44 is restricted between Southwest 44th Street and I-240. Notably, the eastbound I-44 on-ramp from Southwest 74th Street remains closed as part of this ongoing corridor improvement project.

Evening Commute and Overnight Work

Commuters heading north on I-35 later tonight should be aware of scheduled overhead sign installation. Both northbound and southbound I-35 will be intermittently narrowed between Memorial Road and Wilshire Boulevard starting at 8:00 p.m. tonight. These restrictions, which include intermittent on- and off-ramp closures, are scheduled to remain in place until 6:00 a.m. Friday morning.

Public Transit and Secondary Alerts

• I-44 at NW 10th St: The off-ramps to Northwest 10th Street remain closed through the summer for a City of Oklahoma City bridge project.
• Embark Transit: Bus and streetcar services are operating on regular schedules today, though riders should expect minor delays on routes traversing the I-40 and I-240 work zones.
• SH-9E in Norman: Lanes are narrowed near US-77 until 5:00 p.m. today for bridge replacement work over Bishop Creek.
• Garth Brooks Blvd: In Yukon, traffic is narrowed to one lane under I-40 for resurfacing through the end of the week.

Drivers are reminded to stay alert for workers in all active zones and to expect changing lane configurations as the workday progresses.