Presidents' Day Commute: Light Holiday Traffic Met with Major Ramp Closures and I-35 Narrowing

Holiday Traffic and Commute Overview

Good morning, Oklahoma City. Today is Monday, February 16, 2026. As we observe the Presidents' Day holiday, commuters can expect significantly lighter traffic volumes across the metro area during the traditional morning and evening rush hours. However, while federal and state offices are closed, major infrastructure projects from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City of Oklahoma City remain active, with several key ramps and lanes closed to travel.

Major Highway and Interchange Disruptions

While the overall volume is low, several long-term interstate projects are causing significant bottlenecks. Drivers should plan for the following impacts on major arteries:

• I-44 at N.W. 10th St.: Both the northbound and southbound off-ramps to N.W. 10th St. remain closed as part of a multi-year city bridge project. These ramps are expected to stay closed through summer 2026.
• I-35 Southbound: Expect heavy delays in South Oklahoma City as I-35 is reduced to a single lane between S.E. 15th St. and S.E. 44th St. today from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for sign installation and maintenance.
• I-40 in Midwest City: Eastbound I-40 continues to be narrowed to a single lane near Hudiburg Dr. and Air Depot Blvd. for ongoing bridge repairs. Additionally, the on and off-ramps at Douglas Blvd. are closed through early Tuesday morning for surface work.
• I-235 Striping: Starting tonight at 8:00 p.m., southbound I-235 will be narrowed at N.E. 4th St. for striping.

Local Roadworks and Streetscape Updates

Commuters navigating the inner city and suburban hubs should be aware of several active work zones:

• N.E. 23rd St.: The streetscape project continues to restrict traffic to one lane in each direction between N. Lee Ave. and N. Harvey Ave. This narrowing is expected to persist through mid-February.
• Airport Road (SH-152): Lane reductions remain in place on SH-152 near the I-44 interchange as part of the ongoing corridor widening project.
• Edmond and Moore: In Edmond, the intersection of Danforth Rd. and Kelly Ave. is narrowed for expansion. In Moore, S.E. 4th St. (SH-37) is fully closed between Broadway Ave. and Tower Dr. for railroad bridge construction.

Public Transit and Streetcar Alerts

EMBARK is operating on a weekend/holiday schedule today in observance of Presidents' Day. This means reduced frequency on most bus routes and limited service hours. Riders are encouraged to check the mobile app for real-time adjustments.

Furthermore, while the OKC Streetcar is running its regular schedule today, a major service interruption is looming. Starting Wednesday, February 18, streetcar service will be suspended for four days to accommodate construction related to the New Arena project. Bus shuttles will replace streetcar service during that time.