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State Launches New $892 Million Turnpike Project

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley look at turnpike projects at a press conference on October 29, 2015.
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

A new turnpike plan will cost the state of Oklahoma nearly $1 billion and add about 30 miles of new toll roads to the state’s road system.

Gov. Mary Fallin and transportation Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley announced the plan at a press conference on Thursday at a press conference at the state capitol.

It includes six projects that will cost $892 million. They include 21 miles of new roadway that will link I-40 and the Turner Turnpike in eastern Oklahoma County. According to a press release from Fallin's office, the new road will reduce the drive time between the Oklahoma City metro and Tulsa, and alleviate congestion.

A rise in tolls will pay for the project. The Journal Record newspaper reports that the last toll increase came in 2009. That increase was 16 percent. The newspaper quotes Gary Ridley, who says the new increase will likely be less than 16 percent.

From Fallin’s press release:

Muskogee Turnpike

·        Project Length: 9.5 miles

·        Cost: $42 million

·        Type: Reconstruction from “ground-up” for safety and modernization of toll plaza

·        Overview: This reconstruction will occur between Creek Turnpike interchange and State Highway 51 near Coweta. It will allow for a safer and more drivable surface and provide increased safety features.

Turner Turnpike

·        Project Length: 22 miles

·        Cost: $300 million

·        Type: Reconstruction for more lanes and safety features including lights and other future safety enhancements

·        Overview: The Turner Turnpike is a vital turnpike corridor that connects Oklahoma’s two metro areas.  Improving safety and convenience on this road is a priority for the OTA. This reconstruction/safety project will occur between Bristow and the Creek Turnpike West (State Highway 364) section of the Turner Turnpike. In the last five years there have been 15 fatalities and 514 wrecks on this section of road. This project will create an “urban turnpike corridor” with lighting, wider lanes and the addition of lanes. It will allow for the future creation of truck-specific lanes for quick and safe access.

HE Bailey Turnpike

·        Project Length: 7.5 miles

·        Cost: $32 million

·        Type: Turnpike reconstruction for lanes and safety features and toll plaza modernization for better access for PikePass customers

·        Overview: This project will provide wider lanes and enhanced safety features for travel as well as improved technology for toll plaza locations for customer convenience between Bridge Creek and North Meridian Avenue near Newcastle.

Southwest OKC Kilpatrick Extension

·        Project Length: 7 miles

·        Cost: $190 million

·        Type: New construction

·        Overview: This project will be an extension of the Kilpatrick Turnpike that will connect SW OKC and the metro area at-large with the urban core.  It will increase access and offer another route for Will Rogers World Airport. It will occur between I-40 and State Highway 152/Airport Road.

Northeast OK County Loop

·        Project Length: 21 miles

·        Cost: $300 million

·        Type: New construction

·        Overview: This project will allow for a connection from Eastern Oklahoma County to vital intersections for travel. This will produce a drive-time reduction to access Tulsa from the OKC Metro and a needed new loop to alleviate current congested traffic in the Oklahoma City area.  Construction will link I-40 and I-44 (Turner Turnpike) in Eastern Oklahoma County. 

Jacob McCleland spent nine years as a reporter and host at public radio station KRCU in Cape Girardeau, Mo. His stories have appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, Here & Now, Harvest Public Media and PRI’s The World. Jacob has reported on floods, disappearing languages, crop duster pilots, anvil shooters, Manuel Noriega, mule jumps and more.
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