What's the timeline for completion of the new turnpikes? They're making a lot of progress on the Kilpatrick Turnpike extension, so I would think it would be up and running within a year.

I'm curious about the Kilpatrick extension as well. Any idea of an approximate completion date for that?

I'm curious about the Kilpatrick extension as well. Any idea of an approximate completion date for that?

Drove up Sara Road yesterday so I could check out the progress. The intersection at SW29th is barely 30% finished. It looks like the piers for the Sara Road overpass were just completed. No beams have been placed. Based on that and what I saw in other places, they will be lucky to be done by Labor Day.

Drove up Sara Road yesterday so I could check out the progress. The intersection at SW29th is barely 30% finished. It looks like the piers for the Sara Road overpass were just completed. No beams have been placed. Based on that and what I saw in other places, they will be lucky to be done by Labor Day.
Thanks for the update, rte66.

I can see the bridge from my house going over County Line for the Kirkpatrick Turnpike. It is taking forever to complete the bridge. They are about 10 months in and still not complete.

I'd like to see drone pics of the S.W. Kilpatrick Ext. They should sign it as I-240 to I-40

Google Maps updated their imaging in SW OKC recently, and you can now see just about the entire path of the Kilpatrick Extension.

Just noticed the other day that southbound traffic on the two Kilpatrick bridges between Hwy 66 and Britton Rd. has been switched over to the east bridges (northbound) and they're beginning to demolish the west side.

https://twitter.com/OKTurnpike/status/1176539631187386369


Up to now you've know it as the Eastern Oklahoma Corridor (EOC) but today it has a new, official name!

"The Kickapoo name both reflects and will bring awareness to Oklahoma’s strong Native American culture to all who travel this turnpike.” -Secretary Gatz

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EFPojoKXkAATTE2?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

https://twitter.com/OKTurnpike/status/1176539631187386369

Nice. If they wanted to increase revenue they could take it a step further and name it Kickapoo Casino Turnpike and have the casino pay them for naming rights like we do with arenas.

I really hope OTA didn't pay a "professional" to make that graphic...

any updated on where the SW kilpatrick expansion is at with reguards to the timeline? and when it is expected to be completed? i remember at one point hearing sometime in 2020... but didn't know if we atleast had a quarter they were shooting for

any updated on where the SW kilpatrick expansion is at with reguards to the timeline? and when it is expected to be completed? i remember at one point hearing sometime in 2020... but didn't know if we atleast had a quarter they were shooting for

Went to pikepass.com thinking there would be some updates but noooooooooo. They haven't updated anything about the projects since April. Pathetic.

Went to pikepass.com thinking there would be some updates but noooooooooo. They haven't updated anything about the projects since April. Pathetic.
I log on once every month or so awaiting an update there. I recently emailed them a message and surprise... no response. They don’t care.

any updated on where the SW kilpatrick expansion is at with reguards to the timeline? and when it is expected to be completed? i remember at one point hearing sometime in 2020... but didn't know if we atleast had a quarter they were shooting for

The only think i have seen on it is from the weekday updates, though it only puts any dates with the junction with i40 (which is the furthest along part of the extension), this is the most recent:



I-40 off-ramp at John Kilpatrick Turnpike will be closed Monday night
The westbound I-40 off-ramp to northbound John Kilpatrick Turnpike will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday as part of an ongoing Oklahoma Turnpike Authority project.

I-40 lanes shifted, service road narrowed at SH-4/Mustang Rd. through fall 2019 for turnpike project

The following traffic impacts are a part of an Oklahoma Turnpike Authority project:

Westbound SH-152/Airport Rd. is narrowed to one lane between Council Rd. and S.W. 59th St. and the westbound SH-152 off-ramp to Council Rd. has shifted to the east. Drivers should use caution as traffic adjusts to the new configuration.
East and westbound I-40 lanes are shifted between SH-4/Mustang Rd. (mm 138) and Morgan Rd. (mm 140) and the eastbound and westbound I-40 collector road is narrowed to one lane between SH-4/Mustang Rd. (mm 138) and the John Kilpatrick Turnpike (mm 139) through fall 2019.

I really hope OTA didn't pay a "professional" to make that graphic...

Looks like one of the casino signs...lol.

WIN BIG HERE!

Looks like the Gilcrease extension has officially broken ground and should be competed in a couple years. It seems by then every other project will be completed.

I would like to see OTAs next bond issue focus heavily on interchange improvements more than anything.

Looks like the Gilcrease extension has officially broken ground and should be competed in a couple years. It seems by then every other project will be completed.

I would like to see OTAs next bond issue focus heavily on interchange improvements more than anything.

the next OTA projects will be the next phase of turner expansion and the next phase of the EOC turnpike

^^^ hopefully the entire turner expansion six lanes and reconstructs the entire corridor as well as adding lighting between OKC and tulsa. A very long stretch of I-90 easy of Chicago has this treatment and it works amazing.

Along with an EOC extension, id like to see the Sh-74 and Broadway extension interchanges completed. I’d also like to see the SH-4 concerted entirely to freeway and connected to Kilpatrick S.W. extension

They shouldn't be allowed to one more lane to any road until they fix the damn interchanges.

FYI from today:


Oklahoma Turnpikes
@OKTurnpike
Tolling on SW 15th begins today at 10:00 am.
8:36 AM · Oct 23, 2019

^^^ hopefully the entire turner expansion six lanes and reconstructs the entire corridor as well as adding lighting between OKC and tulsa. A very long stretch of I-90 easy of Chicago has this treatment and it works amazing.

The Turner Turnpike only has an AADT of 15,642 at the OKC end. For comparison, I-35 around Pauls Valley carries roughly twice that. Obviously different agencies and different funding sources, but I'm not sure the Turner justifies six-laning yet.

The Turner Turnpike only has an AADT of 15,642 at the OKC end. For comparison, I-35 around Pauls Valley carries roughly twice that. Obviously different agencies and different funding sources, but I'm not sure the Turner justifies six-laning yet.

the current turner project is the first phase of making the entire length 6 lanes from OKC to tulsa

They're taking their dang sweet time on the SW side one. They've moved the westbound off ramp to council to the new non-clover ramp. They've closed the clover eastbound on ramp to 52, but should be able to get the new one opened soon (if they get off their butts). They move incredibly slow out there.

I'm still not seeing any logic to why they added the lanes between the two bridges or any sort of interchange work to connect 52 to the turnpike. There's a bridge there, no larger work on the actual interchange portion.

It's definitely moving at a snails pace. You can count on two hands, the number of people working on this project on any given day. Heck, some days there aren't that many.

It really makes driving more enjoyable and lessens the chance of getting behind two slow drivers.

I-35 needs the six lane treatment between OKC and Dallas. TxDOT is about to start widening the remainder of I-35 between Dallas and the Oklahoma border to 6-8 lanes. The red river I-35 bridges will be 8 lanes with service roads and 6-8 lanes to win star. OkDOT should just modernize the entire interstate and widen it. Could be done for a few billion now. It will get more expensive down the line.

If Oklahoma were smart when the reconstruction and widening of I-44 is completed they’d pay off the bonds and make it a free route which have many economic benefits. There is no high speed free route between the states two largest cities.

It really makes driving more enjoyable and lessens the chance of getting behind two slow drivers.

I-35 needs the six lane treatment between OKC and Dallas. TxDOT is about to start widening the remainder of I-35 between Dallas and the Oklahoma border to 6-8 lanes. The red river I-35 bridges will be 8 lanes with service roads and 6-8 lanes to win star. OkDOT should just modernize the entire interstate and widen it. Could be done for a few billion now. It will get more expensive down the line.

If Oklahoma were smart when the reconstruction and widening of I-44 is completed they’d pay off the bonds and make it a free route which have many economic benefits. There is no high speed free route between the states two largest cities.

You are talking to a very car-unfriendly board here. But I agree. I drive all over the state for work (auditor) and having efficient highways would be a huge upgrade!

^^^^ I figured that out long ago LOL

Oklahoma Turnpikes
@OKTurnpike
10/25/19 @ 7:00 PM to 4:00 PM on 10/27/19: Both NB and SB JKT will be reduced to one lane between US-66 and Wilshire Blvd. during this time period. When this is complete, traffic will be shifted from the NB JKT to the New widened SB JKT from NW 63rd to NW 51st St.
2:56 PM · Oct 24, 2019·Twitter Web App

The Turner Turnpike only has an AADT of 15,642 at the OKC end. For comparison, I-35 around Pauls Valley carries roughly twice that. Obviously different agencies and different funding sources, but I'm not sure the Turner justifies six-laning yet.

It's more of a widening/modernization. All of the bridges are being replaced as many are safety hazards with piers too close to the road. Most of them have also reached their useful lifespan as they are nearly 70 years old. I did notice the new bridges on the recently expanded section left room for additional lanes if needed

^^^^ IIRC, the Tulsa segment will have truck specific lanes in the future so maybe that was the extra space was there for.

It really makes driving more enjoyable and lessens the chance of getting behind two slow drivers.
If Oklahoma were smart when the reconstruction and widening of I-44 is completed they’d pay off the bonds and make it a free route which have many economic benefits. There is no high speed free route between the states two largest cities.

That they don't is by design. Oklahoma law allows OTA to 'cross-pledge' turnpike funds, meaning any toll money can be used to pay for any turnpike. This allows OTA to build toll roads in locations that ODOT can't afford to upgrade. The Cherokee Turnpike was built to bypass a dangerous section of SH-33 that ODOT couldn't find the funding to address. (That old section of SH-33 is now US-412 Alternate.) The I-44 turnpikes bring in the bulk of the toll money, and they subsidize the other, lower-performing turnpikes.

The I-44 turnpikes bring in the bulk of the toll money, and they subsidize the other, lower-performing turnpikes.And the two urban turnpikes in OKC and Tulsa?

That they don't is by design. Oklahoma law allows OTA to 'cross-pledge' turnpike funds, meaning any toll money can be used to pay for any turnpike. This allows OTA to build toll roads in locations that ODOT can't afford to upgrade. The Cherokee Turnpike was built to bypass a dangerous section of SH-33 that ODOT couldn't find the funding to address. (That old section of SH-33 is now US-412 Alternate.) The I-44 turnpikes bring in the bulk of the toll money, and they subsidize the other, lower-performing turnpikes.
I-44 should have all tolls removed, IMO. OkDOT needs an increased budget. I’d prefer it starts out in phases. The first phase is tolls removed between OKC and Tulsa during the 2020s. Then early 2030s remove the tolls on southern I-44 and then finally remove tolls on NE I-44 late 2030s. This could easily be done with the legislature writing laws to force this on OkDOT whether they want it or not and offset by an increased budget for maintenance. The state would be better because of it. The two cities would become more connected and the state would see more free trade as a result.

And the two urban turnpikes in OKC and Tulsa?

That's a good question. The thing about the urban turnpike is that there are a lot more ramps and interchanges to take care of for a smaller length of road.

That's a good question. The thing about the urban turnpike is that there are a lot more ramps and interchanges to take care of for a smaller length of road.And I wish they'd build more ramps! For instance, on the Kilpatrick Tnpk I would consistently use ramps at Bryant and a ramp at southbound Broadway to eastbound Kilpatrick. I can also see the need for northbound Hefner Parkway to westbound Kilpatrick but I'd rarely use it.

Urban turnpikes are costly for older people on fixed incomes that need an easy way to doctors appointments and other trips. I guess we just have to continue driving in traffic.

And I wish they'd build more ramps! For instance, on the Kilpatrick Tnpk I would consistently use ramps at Bryant and a ramp at southbound Broadway to eastbound Kilpatrick. I can also see the need for northbound Hefner Parkway to westbound Kilpatrick but I'd rarely use it.Yes they need to install ramps at every mile road here. I also wish they’d rebuild the I-35 interchange. I know it was just built but damn they cheaped out. Exits and entrances should be on the left and that horrible curve on the bridges over 35. Sheesh!

I also wish they would build conventional double track rail down the ROW of I-44 that could run at around 100-110 MPH. They could initially just build it to the Tulsa-OKC park and ride station at I-35 and then extend it to downtown OKC later. I bet it would prove extremely successful.

I also wish they would build conventional double track rail down the ROW of I-44 that could run at around 100-110 MPH. They could initially just build it to the Tulsa-OKC park and ride station at I-35 and then extend it to downtown OKC later. I bet it would prove extremely successful.

ODOT and OTA really need to work together on this, I agree. While acceptable for conventional passenger rail, the Sooner Sub between OKC and Sapulpa simply isn't suited to high speed rail. Any modernization of the I-44 corridor between OKC and Tulsa absolutely needs to include a rail component (even if it's simply preparing space within the highway ROW - including bridge modifications - for rails to be installed at some later date).

I hate to be a Debbie downer but it is sad that merely preserving ROW and getting such a project shovel ready is a pipe dream. I’ve wrote OkDOT and OTA about it and they don’t even respond.

... I know it was just built but damn they cheaped out. Exits and entrances should be on the left and that horrible curve on the bridges over 35. Sheesh!
I'm assuming you mean transition ramps should never be on the left (unless HOV lanes exist).
They need to put a barrier on the westbound to southbound ramp past the 122nd St exit. I can't tell you how many times truck just cross those 3 lanes of traffic to get to those truck stops without a care of who may be in the other lanes.

I'm assuming you mean transition ramps should never be on the left (unless HOV lanes exist).
They need to put a barrier on the westbound to southbound ramp past the 122nd St exit. I can't tell you how many times truck just cross those 3 lanes of traffic to get to those truck stops without a care of who may be in the other lanes.

I just saw it happen today by a truck that didn't have a turn signal on and forced a pickup and another car to hit their brakes. After seeing it myself and reading your comments, l have to agree.

The Route 66 and Turner Turnpike Split SW of the I-44/244 interchange will be redesigned and reconstructed. It appears from the article that a new flyover will carry cars over I-44 to remove the left hand exit which is great news if that is the case.

“ OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority gave its approval Wednesday for a $39 million interchange modification project at the Tulsa end of the Turner Turnpike.

The OTA agreed to let Director Tim Gatz enter an agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for an interchange modification where Interstate 44 and Oklahoma 66 meet. Gatz also serves as state transportation secretary and ODOT director.”

https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/tulsa-end-of-turner-turnpike-to-get-new-million-interchange/article_1bf60a63-6b58-55f4-9fd2-67e60ce62947.html

Next up they need to tackle the I-44/I-244 interchange where the Gilcrease Tollway will be expanded to. A design like the 91 and 5 interchanges in OC would be cool.

The new section of the Kilpatrick turnpike is almost complete:

https://i.imgur.com/qrwmWDr.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/D9K8rPz.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/SFixqTn.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/MkT1CEq.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/kA9KEeF.jpg

Is anyone else having issues viewing the pictures Pete posts? There is just a blank space without any link; I can't copy any code or text in his post.

Is anyone else having issues viewing the pictures Pete posts? There is just a blank space without any link; I can't copy any code or text in his post.

How strange.

I can see them even when I am not logged into the site.


I've recently started uploading and then linking from IMGUR.com; I wonder if that site is somehow blocked for you?

the kickapoo turnpike is also nearing completion

I can see them (iphone/safari)

Still don’t like this route even though they had limited options due to not securing land years ago. Needed a route to connect going straighter south towards Norman. As we grow we’ll look back at this and wonder why.

How strange.

I can see them even when I am not logged into the site.


I've recently started uploading and then linking from IMGUR.com; I wonder if that site is somehow blocked for you?

Ah yes. Blocked by firewall.

I can see them (iphone/safari)

Still don’t like this route even though they had limited options due to not securing land years ago. Needed a route to connect going straighter south towards Norman. As we grow we’ll look back at this and wonder why.

Yes, this route makes it just about impossible to ever connect to SH-4 south of SH-152 (and therefore, the H.E. Bailey spur and SH-9 heading into Norman as well).

I suspect Hobby Lobby used some influence to make this happen.

They are just about the largest private employer in the city now and their massive warehouse complex is directly on this new route; will make it very easy for their trucks to head west to their rapidly expanding California market.

I'm looking at Google Maps and wondering why they don't have Airport Road highlighted as a freeway from Council to I-44, it is 100% limited access after the traffic light at SW 59th.

Also, based on that last image, I'm assuming they took out the WB Airport Road entrance from Council? Looks like the only WB access from Council now will be to the turnpike extension, and you'll have to turn left at that SW 59th light to head west on Airport Road/SH-152.

One final note, that small westward jog around the Mustang Creek subdivision will be a great monument to one of the dumbest planning decisions I have ever seen. Why OKC let that subdivision get built directly to the south of a highway stub in a rapidly developing part of town that would clearly need additional road access will always be a mystery to me.

A huge issue is going to be traffic from Hwy 152 East feeding into the I-44/I-240 interchange. I drive by it everyday going West on Hwy 152. Right now Hwy 152 East it backed up everyday from 4pm to 6:30pm. Cars staying to I-44 West have to cross over cars going from Hwy 152 East to I-240. It is poorly designed interchanged. With the turnpike extension feeding into Hwy 152, more cars will now be added to the I-44/I-240 interchange further backing up Hwy 152 East.

When we had a meeting with the OTA about this extension, a person asked about the traffic at the interchange outlining what I wrote. The director's answer (solution) was for ODOT to add another lane to the interchange. We all laughed at him because adding a lane won't fix the issue and second, when is this going happen? He didn't have an answer of when it would happen. My guess it won't happen or maybe 2040.

The area would have been better served to have the turnpike down Sara road to connect to the HE Bailey. HWY 4 from Hwy 152 to the HE Bailey Spur is already a 4 lane road that looks like a turnpike.

Disclosure statement. As noted before on this tread, with the bridge crossing over County Line Road. I now have a bridge to look at and extra cars to listen to when enjoying the outdoors. Yes. I am disgruntled.

Having issues with the quote option, but SEMI - they ripped out the cloverleafs but are not done. Eastbound onramp and westbound offramp are now both regular ramps and not clovers. The westbound onramp is almost done. I was out all last week but when i left, they were just about ready to lay the asphalt on it to open it up. The last one left to build is the eastbount offramp. They did all kinds of weird crap like filling in the gap between the two bridges to the bridges are now 6 lanes instead of 2 2-laners. Havne't figured that one out yet. The connector up to the main "run" to the west is still pretty stagnant from what you can see on airport rd. It looks like it's been sitting at the same spot for 6 months, but i'm sure there's more going on there.

Really this whole portion of the project seems to be moving at a snail's pace. They even had to rip out some concrete wall they built under the Council bridge because they put it in the wrong place. D'OH! I thought at first that they were going to add U turnarounds under the bridges (because they ripped up all the concrete/dirt/curb/etc underneath) but now they're just throwing that wall up and the ramps dont have a connector to the U. So it doesn't make much sense to me. Lots of weird crap going on.

Thanks for the update. That part of the project seemed very weird/complex when all the renderings were released years ago so I am interested to see how it all ends up working.

How strange.

I can see them even when I am not logged into the site.


I've recently started uploading and then linking from IMGUR.com; I wonder if that site is somehow blocked for you?

yep. so that is why all of sudden i stopped seeing the images. i know my work blocks imgur.

I think is a mistake they didn’t add an underpass for the proposed Town Center development between I-40 and SW 15th.

Anyone want to guess how long we’ll be stuck with that cloverleaf at I-40? :p

Anyone want to guess how long we’ll be stuck with that cloverleaf at I-40? :p

2055

Airport Road connection opening Thursday

https://oklahoman.com/article/5651628/partial-opening-scheduled-for-kilpatrick-turnpikes-southwest-extension

I am excited to hear the vehicles buzzing along from my house.

I am excited to hear the vehicles buzzing along from my house.
I am excited to hear vehicles, planes, police sirens, ambulances, etc. from my house. But then I remember I live in a city and not a desolate countryside residence.