Oklahoma Posts New Truck Detour Route

Oklahoma officials have changed the eastbound truck detour around the I-40 bridge that collapsed last month after being hit by an out-of-control barge.

Ideally, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation recommends avoiding the area in eastern Oklahoma near Webbers Falls altogether. If you must travel this corridor, officials say, allow at least 30 minutes extra westbound and one hour eastbound.
As before, the truck detour for eastbound I-40 leaves the interstate and turns south on State Highway 2, then turns east on State Highway 9. However, where before the detour turned north at U.S. 59, meeting back up with I-40 near Sallisaw, now trucks are to continue on State Highway 9 through Spiro until it meets back up with I-40 near Ft. Smith, Ark.
Truck and vehicular through traffic I-40 westbound should turn north on State Highway 10 at Gore, west on U.S. 64, then south on State Highway 100, rejoining I-40 east of the Muskogee Turnpike.
Travelers from northern Oklahoma, including Kansas, should go south on I-35, then east on U.S. 412/Cimarron Turnpike.
Travelers from northeastern Oklahoma, Tulsa and surrounding areas should detour east on U.S. 412/Cherokee Turnpike, south on I-540 in Arkansas, then east onto I-40 in Ft. Smith, Ark.
Travelers coming into Oklahoma from Texas to access I-40 east of Warner, Okla., should use I-30 from Texas into Arkansas.
For more information, including maps, go to www.okladot.state.ok.us/public-info/i40-bridge.htm.