OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Some OU Fans have already started their trek down to Texas ahead of the Red River Rivalry on Saturday. Before you go, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation wants to remind you of the construction projects you'll likely see on the way down south.
"I just ran into someone showing me the hook 'em horns and of course I had to give my response," Vicky Robinson said, as she gave the 'Horns Down' sign with her hand.
Robinson has been a die-hard Sooner fan since she was 3-years-old.
"My father sat me down in front of an OU football game and said 'Watch,'" said Robinson.
She and her husband started the journey south early Thursday morning, to meet with friends ahead of the game. They left Edmond at 6:20 a.m., and by 9:20 a.m. they made it.
"We did stop at a convenience store and I did see some Sooner t-shirts for sure," said Robinson.
Bryce Boyer with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation said the Robinsons have the right idea, when heading to the Lone Star State.
"You'd rather get there early than late when you're going to a football game," said Boyer.
OU-Texas is one of the biggest weekends for I-35 in Oklahoma's southern corridor. Thankfully, ODOT has worked with crews to ensure two lanes of I-35 stay open, each way, all weekend long.
"There are still work zones. There is going to be barrier wall up. There's going to be some cones or might be some speed reductions in place, but two lanes will be open," said Boyer.
If you're starting in OKC, you'll run into the I-35 and I-240 construction. Crews there are working to convert the 4-leaf clover interchange into something that looks more like I-44 and I-235, with flyover ramps.
Farther south, near Goldsby, crews are working to turn I-35 and Highway 9 into a Diverging Diamond Interchange.
Then, all the way to the Red River, in Thackerville, you'll see the I-35 widening project in the works.
"Once all of those projects are complete, we'll have six lanes of I-35, essentially going from Oklahoma City all the way down to the Oklahoma, Texas border," said Boyer.
If you want to bypass I-35 altogether and just take in the views, there are still some seats available on the Heartland Flyer's Big Game Train.
"We kind of throw a little bit of a party, if you will, usually have coffee, donuts, kind of help drum up the school spirit as people are getting on the train," said Boyer.
Remember, there are about 100 construction projects happening across the state right now. The best bet is so download the Drive Oklahoma App, available for Apple or Android, and plan your route.
If you plan on traveling from Tulsa to OKC, remember there are several projects happening along the Turner Turnpike/I-44.
By road or by rail, the Robinson's want other Sooner fans to have a game plan.
"The earlier, the better. if you want to avoid traffic," said Robinson.
