Midwest City I-40 Narrowing and I-240 Construction Lead Thursday Traffic Delays

Morning Commute Overview for Thursday, March 5, 2026

Commuters in the Oklahoma City metro area should prepare for significant delays this morning, particularly on the east and south sides of the city. Ongoing multi-phase infrastructure projects continue to restrict flow on major arteries, including I-40, I-240, and I-35. Motorists are advised to allow for an extra 15 to 20 minutes of travel time, especially during peak rush hours.

Major Interstate Impacts

• I-40 (Midwest City): Both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-40 remain narrowed to two lanes between I-240 and Town Center Drive. This work, part of the Douglas Blvd. interchange project, includes lane shifts and intermittent ramp closures. Drivers should exercise extreme caution as there are currently no shoulders or merge distances in this work zone.
• I-240 / I-35 Interchange: The multi-phase improvement project at this major junction continues to cause bottlenecks. I-240 is restricted to two lanes at the I-35 interchange. Additionally, the S.E. 74th St. / I-240 service road is closed to through traffic between Eastern Avenue and Crossroads Boulevard.
• I-40 (West of El Reno): Further west in Canadian County, I-40 is narrowed to a single lane in both directions near the US-281 Spur. Striping and pavement operations are scheduled to continue through the end of March.
• I-44 (South OKC): Off-ramps for both eastbound and westbound I-44 at N.W. 10th Street remain closed for a long-term bridge project. This closure is expected to last through summer 2026.

State Highway and Local Road Alerts

• SH-152 Reconstruction: All lanes of SH-152 remain closed between Banner Road and Cemetery Road near Union City. This total closure for reconstruction is slated to continue through late spring. Drivers should use I-40 or SH-37 as alternate routes.
• SH-37 (Moore): In Moore, S.E. 4th Street (SH-37) is closed between Broadway Avenue and Tower Drive for a railroad bridge project. Local detours are in place.
• N.E. 23rd Street: Lane reductions are in effect between Broadway Avenue and Western Avenue for an ongoing streetscape project. Expect intermittent single-lane traffic in both directions.
• County Line Road: The rebuild of County Line Road from 178th to 192nd is nearing completion but remains closed to through traffic. Officials anticipate this stretch to reopen later this month.

Public Transit and Safety Tips

EMBARK public transit reports that all fixed-route buses and the OKC Streetcar are operating on their regular weekday schedules. While no major service disruptions are reported today, some routes may experience minor delays due to the aforementioned highway construction. Riders are encouraged to check the mobile app for real-time bus locations.

With sunrise occurring during the morning rush, please stay alert for construction crews and signage. Avoid distractions and respect posted speed limits in work zones to ensure the safety of both drivers and highway workers.