Morning Caution: I-35 Work Wraps Up as Black Ice and Major Construction Impact Friday Commutes

Morning Commute Overview for Friday, January 30

Oklahoma City drivers should prepare for a challenging Friday morning commute. While overnight construction on major interstates is finishing up, lingering hazards from the week's winter weather and extensive long-term roadworks are expected to cause significant delays across the metro area. Temperatures remain low enough for moisture to refreeze, making black ice a primary concern for the early morning rush.

Interstate Updates and Signage Work

Commuters using the I-35 corridor in North Oklahoma City should see relief as overnight projects wrap up. Northbound I-35, which was narrowed between E. Wilshire Blvd. and E. Hefner Rd. for overhead sign installation, is scheduled to reopen all lanes by 4:00 AM. Similarly, southbound I-35 narrowing at N.E. 122nd St. is also concluding. However, drivers should remain alert for work crews and equipment clearing the sites as the morning peak begins.

Major Highway Work Zones

Several long-term infrastructure projects continue to restrict traffic flow on major arteries:

• I-44 & SH-152 (Airport Rd): In Southwest OKC, east and westbound SH-152 remains narrowed between S.W. 44th St. and I-240. The eastbound I-44 on-ramp from 74th St. is closed for corridor widening.
• I-240 & I-35 Interchange: Traffic is restricted to two lanes at this junction. With narrow lanes and no shoulders, drivers are encouraged to use I-40 as an alternate route to avoid peak-hour bottlenecks.
• I-40 in Midwest City: Expect narrowing to two lanes in both directions between I-240 and Town Center Dr. through the early part of the year.
• I-44 at N.W. 10th St.: All off-ramps at this junction remain closed for a city bridge project, requiring detours to adjacent exits.

Surface Street Alerts

City utility and maintenance projects are also impacting local travel. A significant water main break reported earlier this week at N.W. 39th St. and MacArthur Ave. continues to limit southbound traffic on MacArthur, forcing detours for those traveling through the area. Additionally, N.E. 23rd St. (SH-66) is narrowed to a single lane in each direction between N. Lee Ave. and N. Harvey Ave. for ongoing construction work.

Public Transit and Safety Reminders

EMBARK transit services have been operating under winter weather protocols this week. Passengers should check for updated service alerts, as some routes may still experience minor delays due to road conditions. Commuters are advised to allow at least 15 to 20 minutes of extra travel time this morning, maintain a safe following distance from salt and plow trucks, and be especially cautious on elevated bridges and overpasses where ice is most likely to persist.