OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is considering a long-range plan that could include widening the Turner Turnpike and improving the Will Rogers Turnpike and other facilities, transportation spokeswoman Terri Angier said Tuesday.
The action comes as the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority wraps up the $1.3 billion Driving Forward, a turnpike expansion and improvement project that began under former Gov. Mary Fallin.
It included expanding the Gilcrease Expressway in Tulsa and building a new turnpike, the Kickapoo, in eastern Oklahoma County.
Driving Forward was funded by toll increases.
Angier said Tuesday that officials will seek input from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority board.
People are also reading…
She said it was important that the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority board be comfortable with the agency looking at options, tweaks and improvements on the system.
She said it is the first time OTA had a long-range plan.
“We are calling it a 15-year plan,” Angier said.
The projects have already gotten legislative approval in the past. No new corridors are expected to be built, she said.
“This is the first time I am hearing about it,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah. “I would like to see the projects they had in mind and have a conversation before we start going out for more bonding.”
“The OTA wants to ensure everyone has the information, and this announcement is our intent to start getting the details so we can share them,” Angier said.
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Rob Standridge, R-Norman, said the agency would need to demonstrate that the work needs to be done and that it is a worthwhile investment.
Standridge was complimentary of the agency’s work in widening the Turner Turnpike at the east end.
The project could include more widening along the Turner Turnpike, the state’s first toll road, which stretches between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
“The Turner is definitely one of those facilities we keep hearing about from all the communities along the way wanting more access and more interchanges,” Angier said.
The agency also will be looking at the Will Rogers Turnpike to see if it needs expansion, she said. Some of its segments have a considerable amount of truck traffic, she said.
Also under consideration are improvements for the Creek and Kilpatrick turnpikes, Angier said.
No specific projects have been determined, so no cost estimates were available.
“We want to keep Oklahoma in the lead in the nation on some of the lowest tolls in the country,” Angier said.
Aerial view of the Turner turnpike near the Tulsa entrance
Throwback Tulsa: Turner Turnpike opened in 1953
September 2020 video: Aerial view of the Turner turnpike near the Tulsa entrance
Turner Turnpike history
Turner Turnpike 1950's highway workers. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Turner Turnpike history
Turner Turnpike 1950's highway workers. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Turner Turnpike history
Turner Turnpike construction in Stroud. Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Turner Turnpike history
Dignitaries took a bus ride to inaugurate the Turner Turnpike. Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Turner Turnpike history
Turner Turnpike opening day dignitaries. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Turner Turnpike history
Roy Turner, former Oklahoma governor, cuts the ribbon over a lane of the brand new Turner Turnpike, May 16, 1953.
Turner Turnpike history
The Oklahoma City gate of the Turner Turnpike on opening day as crowds waited for the highway to open at 3:00 p.m.
Turner Turnpike history
Turner Turnpike in 1953. Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma History Museum
Turner Turnpike history
A car goes through a toll gate shortly after the Turner Turnpike opened in 1953. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Turner Turnpike history
The original Phillips 66 station served motorists when the Turner Turnpike opened in 1953. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Turner Turnpike history
Turner Turnpike in 1957. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma History Museum
Turner Turnpike history
Vehicle westbound on Turner Turnpike goes under canopy which at one time covered toll booths on Nov. 14, 1996.
Turner Turnpike history
Mike Lee of Century Construction signals to crane operator how he wants beams lowered into place. The beams support new roadway to carry Oklahoma 97 over Turner Turnpike, in northern Sapulpa on Nov. 15, 1996.
Turner Turnpike history
Cars go east on the Turner Turnpike near the Sapulpa exit during dusk on Sept. 18, 1997.
Turner Turnpike history
Stroud City Manager, Earl Burson, poses near the Turner Turnpike where the Tanger Outlet Mall use to stand until it was destroyed by a tornado in May 1999. Taken April 27, 2000.
Turner Turnpike history
Gary Richardson, running for governor is promising to take fees off Turnpikes. Has seven signs on turnpike declaring "make this turnpike free." photographed on Turner Turnpike on September 4, 2001.
Turner Turnpike history
Traffic passes by Sapulpa on the Turner Turnpike on May 12, 2005, with Route 66 on the left, and taken from the 96th Street bridge.
Turner Turnpike history
New bison sculpture which sits between the Turner Turnpike and Route 66 near Sapulpa on Sept. 28, 2007.
Turner Turnpike history
Firefighters fight a fire next to the Turner Turnpike near West 151st on Aug 4, 2012.
Turner Turnpike history
A crane towers over a construction zone on the Creek Turnpike in Tulsa on Wednesday, June 19, 2013. The project is one of several currently underway by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
Turner Turnpike history
Turner Turnpike six lane expansion construction looking East from S. 152nd W. Ave bridge in Creek Co, OK, Sept. 11, 2018.
Turner Turnpike history
Aerial view of the Turner turnpike (right) looking south west near the Tulsa entrance on Sept. 24, 2020.
