ARDMORE, Okla. (KTEN) — As the average number of cars per day crossing the Texas-Oklahoma border on Interstate 35 approaches 50,000, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is looking at ways to address congestion on the freeway.

ODOT chief engineer Brian Taylor says the ultimate goal is to widen I-35 to six lanes from the Red River to Oklahoma City.

That project would cost around $3 billion; ODOT currently has $490 million allocated for I-35 projects in its eight-year plan.

The department is prioritizing portions of the interstate in southern Oklahoma as they move forward with project plans.

"We have identified the 35 miles of the 126 miles that we have the resources for," Taylor said. "We are identifying what our next step would be where we can spend those resources first, and those areas are from the Red River north to about the Ardmore Air Park."

The Texas Department of Transportation has launched a project to widen I-35 from the Oklahoma border south to Denton.

Plans are being developed to widen Interstate 35 between Thackerville and Ardmore.
Plans are being developed to widen Interstate 35 between Thackerville and Ardmore. (KTEN)