By John Dobberstein, Editor
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority announced the creation of an “ongoing long-range plan” that will allow the agency to further engage community and economic stakeholders in future expansion and development of the turnpike system.
The plan will be similar to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s long-range plan, updating the visions, goals and objectives of the turnpike system.
“This is an exciting time for Oklahoma’s infrastructure that puts us on our way to being a top 10 state in overall transportation,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “The additional turnpike improvements and added connections will benefit Oklahomans in many ways such as increased travel reliability, quality of life and continued economic growth throughout the state.”
Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz shared the vision with the OTA Board of Directors during Tuesday’s meeting. This included:
• I-44/Turner Turnpike and Will Rogers Turnpike widening, enhancements and additional interchanges with state highways;
• Kilpatrick Turnpike enhancements;
• Gilcrease Expressway completion; and
• Improvements to help alleviate traffic on I-35 and I-44 in south Oklahoma City; among other turnpike improvements across Oklahoma.
“The creation of the long-range plan will become the blueprint for the future of OTA projects and the continued economic growth and development of the state. This is the first time OTA has embarked on a comprehensive long-range plan such as this,” Gatz said.
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“We’ve received tremendous feedback regarding the future of the turnpike system after the successful completion of some recent projects. In the past several years, I have spoken with many communities along these corridors about their future needs. This plan allows us to address that future in a systematic and transparent manner.”
The agency is finishing the final projects of the 2016 Driving Forward initiative, with the 5-mile Gilcrease Expressway extension set to open west of Tulsa in summer 2022 and the eastern I-44/Turner Turnpike widening and interchange reconstruction at SH-66 near Tulsa to be completed by summer 2023.
The Driving Forward initiative improved travel safety, allowed additional access for communities and boosted economic development.
Oklahoma has one of the lowest toll rates per mile in the country, and the implementation of any future projects that emerge from the long-range plan will proceed with the goal of keeping Oklahoma turnpikes “as one of the best-valued toll networks in the country,” the agency said.
Out-of-state traffic pays about 40 percent of Oklahoma tolls.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority uses cross-pledging, which was voted upon by Oklahoma citizens in 1954 and placed into Oklahoma statute the following year – Title 69-1705.
Cross- pledging allows tolls from one turnpike to be used to build, expand or maintain other turnpikes as needed. Turnpikes are always built where an alternate, non-tolled road exists. OTA builds roads in areas where ODOT has often identified a need and/or vetted the project but lacks funding for construction in ODOT’s long-range plan.
OTA plans to hire consultants and additional professional services to vet the details and start conceptual design plans during the upcoming year. The public can access these details as they become available via the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority website www.pikepass.com.
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