Nov. 9, 2021
Press Release # 21-040
Preferred alternative announced for future I-35 interchange at SH-74/Grant St. in Purcell
Following input from the public and stakeholders received earlier this year, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and City of Purcell are announcing their preferred alternative for a new I-35 interchange to be constructed at SH-74/Grant St. on the north side of Purcell in McClain County. The project will now move forward to the next phases of development, which include detailed design and environmental review in preparation for future construction.
Alternative 3, pictured below, adds a full diamond interchange at I-35 and SH-74/Grant St. with both north and southbound I-35 on- and off-ramps. SH-74/Grant St. will be reconstructed with an added center turn lane between Green Ave. and Westbrook Blvd. to help accommodate traffic at the new ramps. Alternative 3 was selected from three design proposals presented for consideration.
During evaluation of the various design concepts and feedback from the public, ODOT and the city found that Alternative 3 best met the performance goals of improved emergency vehicle access, reduced emergency incident response time, improved connectivity to the regional transportation network and accommodation of continued growth in Purcell.
The department hosted a virtual open house from Jan. 27 to Feb. 10, during which nearly 580 individuals visited the project website and 123 written public comments were submitted.
Currently, no interstate access exists at SH-74/Grant St. and the interchange just to the north at US-77/Green Ave. (Exit 95) lacks a connection to southbound I-35. The preferred alternative will keep the existing ramps at Exit 95 open to traffic after construction of the new SH-74/Grant St. interchange.
The estimated $28 million construction project to build the new interchange is scheduled in ODOT’s Eight-Year Construction Work Plan to go to bid in Federal Fiscal Year 2025.
The public can find more information about this project by visiting www.odot.org and clicking “Program & Projects” and then “Public Meetings and Hearings.”
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the City of Purcell have selected Alternative 3 as their preferred design for construction of a new I-35 interchange at SH-74/Grant St. on the north side of the city. Alternative 3 will feature full interstate access for north and southbound traffic at I-35 and SH-74/Grant St.