Navigating Thursday’s Gridlock: Major Highway Narrowing and SE 4th St Closure Impact Commuters

Morning Commute Overview for Thursday, February 12, 2026

Oklahoma City commuters should prepare for a challenging drive this Thursday morning as several major infrastructure projects reach critical phases. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has issued multiple advisories for the metro area, specifically targeting the I-40 and I-35 corridors. While the weather remains favorable for construction, the resulting lane reductions are expected to cause significant bottlenecks during peak travel hours.

Highways and Major Arteries

Drivers using the following routes should expect delays and may want to consider alternate paths:

• I-40 & I-44 Interchange: Lane reductions and intermittent ramp closures remain in effect at this high-traffic junction. Work is scheduled to continue through summer 2026, with current focus on bridge repairs that may narrow travel lanes to a single file at various points.
• I-35 in Edmond: Southbound and northbound lanes between Memorial Rd. and US-77/2nd St. are under continued narrowing. Expect slow-moving traffic throughout the Edmond-to-OKC commute.
• I-240 at I-35: As part of a multi-phase interchange improvement project, I-240 is narrowed to two lanes at the I-35 junction. Motorists are cautioned that there are currently no shoulders in this zone, leaving little room for error.
• I-40 Eastbound (Midwest City): Starting at 7 p.m. this evening, eastbound I-40 will be narrowed to one lane between Hudiburg Dr. and Air Depot Blvd. for bridge repairs. This work will continue through Friday morning.

Local Road and Street Closures

Several local projects are also impacting neighborhood connectivity today:

• Moore: SH-37 (S.E. 4th St.) remains fully closed between Broadway Ave. and Tower Dr. This closure is part of the ongoing railroad bridge reconstruction and is expected to last until summer 2026.
• Midwest City: S.E. 29th St. will be constricted to one lane at I-40 today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for bridge maintenance.
• NW 10th Street: The east and westbound I-44 off-ramps to N.W. 10th St. are completely closed for a city-led bridge project.

Public Transport and EMBARK Alerts

For those looking to avoid the highway congestion, EMBARK offers several alternatives, though some service adjustments are in place. The OKC Streetcar continues its six-month fare-free pilot program today, providing a cost-effective way to navigate the downtown core. However, bus riders should note that Route 003 and the RAPID NW line currently have temporary stop closures along N. Western Ave. and Classen Blvd. due to nearby streetscape construction.

As always, commuters are encouraged to allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes for their morning routes and to remain vigilant for workers in active construction zones.