We provided traffic analysis and engineering design and construction plans for this important intersection capacity improvement project in Oklahoma City. Upon request from ODOT, we designed a pair of “Texas Turnarounds” on Memorial Road at the multi-level interchange of Lake Hefner Parkway / Portland Avenue and the John Kilpatrick Turnpike.

The roadways served by this interchange carry significant traffic volumes for a variety of trip types (commuter, commercial, through traffic) for this growing commercial and residential area of northwest Oklahoma City. Popular destinations like Lake Hefner and Quail Springs Mall as well as many restaurants and neighborhoods are all within just a few miles of the interchange, making the proposed improvements both high profile and uniquely challenging.

The proposed improvements were both high profile and uniquely challenging.

Lake Hefner Parkway and the John Kilpatrick Turnpike, along with almost all of the development in the surrounding area, were built (or re-built) in the last two to three decades. These developments and highway improvements have brought significant growth in commercial properties and prosperous residential areas, which have in turn contributed to stress on the local transportation infrastructure. The City of Oklahoma City, ODOT, and OTA all have maintenance responsibilities within or just outside of the project boundary.

We obtained as-builts from each of the three respective agencies, performed a detailed survey, and developed the existing survey base file to use during design. Our work required attention to detail and a team effort to fully understand the existing drainage in the area, the improvements to traffic operations, bridge substructures, geotechnical conditions, and existing utilities.

This attention to detail, understanding of agency and community needs, and depth of technical expertise, have all contributed to the project’s ongoing success. The trust that we have developed and maintained over the years has resulted in repeated partnerships to provide complex design solutions time and time again on projects like this.