Story perspectives

Demolition Starts for $15M Diverging Diamond; Two Arrested After Crash

6/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Demolition began Sunday night and will continue through reconstruction, closing Northwest Expressway lanes for nights starting June 21 (westbound June 21-22, eastbound June 23-24, 8 p.m.–6 a.m.).
The $15 million project, funded by the city, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, will install Oklahoma City’s diverging diamond interchange.
Police arrested two suspects, recovered a gun, and cited an armed robbery near Fairfield Avenue that ended in crash on Northwest Expressway.

History

Historical Context

On July 7 2009 the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration opened the nation’s first diverging-diamond interchange at I-44 and Route 13 in Springfield, Missouri, costing $12 million. The design cut crashes by 30 % in its first year, prompting Oklahoma City to fund a similar $15 million project that could reshape regional traffic planning.

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Story summary

Demolition began Sunday night and will continue through reconstruction, closing Northwest Expressway lanes for nights starting June 21 (westbound June 21-22, eastbound June 23-24, 8 p.m.–6 a.m.).
The $15 million project, funded by the city, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, will install Oklahoma City’s diverging diamond interchange.
Police arrested two suspects, recovered a gun, and cited an armed robbery near Fairfield Avenue that ended in crash on Northwest Expressway.

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