2055
That soon!?!? Oh boy oh boy haha

I drove on part of it on Saturday.

The section from SW 15th north and it looked like it was open further to the south as well.

Here is the section from SW 15th looking northeast; the intersection with I-40 looks complete and the on/off ramps from 15th are as well:

https://i.imgur.com/1LENzxD.jpg

Actually, looking at this image from Saturday, you can see the turnpike was not yet open south of SW 15th (those vehicles are construction crews):

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

Opens today. I live at SW 29th and Morgan road so it will be nice to jump on the turnpike just south me of me past sw 44th.

Clarification: Westbound to northbound opens today. The southbound to eastbound opens in 6-8 weeks. Rather than waiting 6-8 weeks and open both simultaneously, OTA decided to open WB/NB when it was ready.

It's all an active construction zone, so watch out for personnel & equipment on/adjacent to all roadways.

So where does that mean you can get on? Can I get one at airport rode and take it North?

I believe that the current easternmost on-ramp is at County Line between SW 44th & SW 59th. It will eventually connect with Hwy 152 NW of Will Rogers.

One more thing to share: Most interstate highways run a pretty straight path because planners were able to purchase right-of-way decades in advance, knowing where growth would occur. (The Kilpatrick is that way between I-35 & Lake Hefner Parkway.) However, there are several turns in the turnpike between Yukon & Mustang. Why? Because population grew in that direction much more quickly than expected, and money wasn't available for purchase. It was constructed in the least-disruptive route for property owners, while not making it feel like a Le Mans track for motorists.

^^^ I would argue it was just a lack of planning all together.

https://i.imgur.com/pLzkVpS.jpg
Here's a shot you won't be able to get when the other half of the turnpike opens, haha.

More pictures here, with commentary: https://imgur.com/a/ezcfUWY (mostly focusing on the signs, but gives a decent overview of what the road looks like)

^^^ I would argue it was just a lack of planning all together.

Yeah, if were talking about the US interstate system in general, there wasn't very much in the way over 60 years ago. They just drew a line across the map and said "lets build a road here". For Oklahoma, it seems like the only kind of planning that happens is buying ROW for a project that is 8 years out.

Little known fact: l think everyone knows the system was to move traffic but it also had a military background. The original interstate highway plans required that, where possible, there had to be a 1 mile straight segment every 5 miles so military planes could land on them, if needed.

Obviously, this is no longer required.

Yeah, if were talking about the US interstate system in general, there wasn't very much in the way over 60 years ago. They just drew a line across the map and said "lets build a road here". For Oklahoma, it seems like the only kind of planning that happens is buying ROW for a project that is 8 years out.

Even if they did not get the ROW, it seems a problem in OKC's planning/permitting process these neighborhoods in the way were still getting approval from the city to be built (at least in the way they were), one of the ones they are now constructing around was still farmland when OTA/ODOT started this and another was early in the build out process. This was decades after a straiter corridor was identified by ODOT/OTA and it was clear many departments in city government were aware of the plan, sure the original process stalled but that still likely going to be the best route in the area no matter how much time passes. It seems like they could have done more planning for how to upgrade the connection to SH4 south of mustang in the future as well.

Little known fact: l think everyone knows the system was to move traffic but it also had a military background. The original interstate highway plans required that, where possible, there had to be a 1 mile straight segment every 5 miles so military planes could land on them, if needed.

Obviously, this is no longer required.

This is a myth.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/interstatemyths.cfm#question5

Damn! You're right! Ive heard that one from my Dad to friends to my son just a few days ago! Lol.

Acquiring ROW is easy through countryside, connecting, say Oklahoma City & Tulsa. That was easy & logical in the mid-20th century after the interstate highway system was defined, and you were just stringing cities together. Now we’re planning & building through growing metropolitan areas, as they continue to grow. It’s easy to ask today, “Why didn’t they do this in the Yukon-Mustang area decades ago?” But the growth and need that exists there today wasn’t knowable in the 1960s or 1970s. I’m curious: Where do people think the next highways should be built in the OKC metro, for opening 30 years from now in 2050?

Bump out 10 to 15 miles and make another loop. That’s basically what every other major metro area is.

Bump out 10 to 15 miles and make another loop. That’s basically what every other major metro area is.

Go north of 44 from the new eastern spur and curve it west over north Edmond. Go west and curve it south just west of Piedmont down to 40.

If you have some time and are interested in the development of OKC's highway system, take a look at the metro highway system through the years in the map inserts from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation:

https://www.odot.org/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/state-maps/

Clarification: Westbound to northbound opens today. The southbound to eastbound opens in 6-8 weeks. Rather than waiting 6-8 weeks and open both simultaneously, OTA decided to open WB/NB when it was ready.

It's all an active construction zone, so watch out for personnel & equipment on/adjacent to all roadways.

OTA said the other way opens in a couple of weeks

If you have some time and are interested in the development of OKC's highway system, take a look at the metro highway system through the years in the map inserts from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation:

https://www.odot.org/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/state-maps/

That's a really cool link. Thanks for sharing!

The alignment of the Kickapoo Turnpike is such that you can almost guarantee it will be extended southward and meet up with I-35 somewhere between Noble and Purcell. As currently constructed it is fairly pointless as a bypass around OKC, but if/when it's extended out to I-35, it will serve at least some sort of purpose.

It is confusing to me why the recent SH-74 expansion was only built to freeway standards up to NW 150th Street. That part of town is quite possibly the fastest growing area of the entire Metro and it won't take long until we're all wondering why they didn't just make the whole thing limited access all the way up to Waterloo.

The alignment of the Kickapoo Turnpike is such that you can almost guarantee it will be extended southward and meet up with I-35 somewhere between Noble and Purcell. As currently constructed it is fairly pointless as a bypass around OKC, but if/when it's extended out to I-35, it will serve at least some sort of purpose.

It is confusing to me why the recent SH-74 expansion was only built to freeway standards up to NW 150th Street. That part of town is quite possibly the fastest growing area of the entire Metro and it won't take long until we're all wondering why they didn't just make the whole thing limited access all the way up to Waterloo.

I am going to make another map of freeways I'd like to see in OKC. SH-74 should have been fully controlled all the way to Waterloo and then a new freeway heading east to connect with I-35 and then moving through East Edmond to connect at I-44 to the Kickapoo Turnpike. Plans also should be started for a second loop when the sprawl moves further into Logan county and beyond Guthrie which could easily happen one day. Even if it 50+years, it never hurts to be proactive and plan for that stuff like Texas did. Build roads with overly wide ROW to ensure a freeway can eventually be built and if warranted widened to 14 lanes with service roads is the best way to go. All that can start with a simple two lane road and wide ROW. TxDOT did it and now they are building freeways with ease in most parts of the DFW metro.

It is confusing to me why the recent SH-74 expansion was only built to freeway standards up to NW 150th Street. That part of town is quite possibly the fastest growing area of the entire Metro and it won't take long until we're all wondering why they didn't just make the whole thing limited access all the way up to Waterloo.

Nope, already there.

Given the continued growth, made more sense to make this limited access all the way to 206th/Covell. What is right isn't always easy, what is easy isn't always right.

This is a myth.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/interstatemyths.cfm#question5Not entirely:


Congress passed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 creating federal funds for interstate highway construction. As the IHS developed so did its ability to support national defense. For example, throughout the system, mile-long stretches of concrete pavement double as emergency landing strips for military aircraft. Many Army posts, especially where division-level units are garrisoned, are near interstate highways

- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.army.mil/article-amp/198095/dwight_d_eisenhower_and_the_birth_of_the_interstat e_highway_system

While the concept of the interstate system did seem to be built for civilian purposes—I believe it was modeled from Germany’s autobahn network—I’m sure the DoD has its hand and influence in it as well.

Yes. The interstate concept was spearheaded by President Eisenhower. He was impressed with the Autobahn during WWII.

The alignment of the Kickapoo Turnpike is such that you can almost guarantee it will be extended southward and meet up with I-35 somewhere between Noble and Purcell. As currently constructed it is fairly pointless as a bypass around OKC, but if/when it's extended out to I-35, it will serve at least some sort of purpose.

It is confusing to me why the recent SH-74 expansion was only built to freeway standards up to NW 150th Street. That part of town is quite possibly the fastest growing area of the entire Metro and it won't take long until we're all wondering why they didn't just make the whole thing limited access all the way up to Waterloo.

the way the kickapoo ends at I40 (it doesn't end it fully goes over I40 ) compared to how it ends on the north at I44 (it fully terminates) it is clear that it will continue south.

i have been told that the next phase will take it down to connect to highway 9 (and the next I44 expansion phase will happen at the same time)

SH 74 will continue to be expanded to divided highway in the future the 164th interchange was on the ODOT 8 year plan in 2018 scheduled for 2026 however it is no longer on the plan (meaning it has been pushed to 2028 at the earlieist )

Boulder, do you know the scope of the next I-44 expansion project by chance?

Boulder, do you know the scope of the next I-44 expansion project by chance?


the last project was 21 miles i have heard this will be about the same which will take it almost to the tuner center toll both

the last project was 21 miles i have heard this will be about the same which will take it almost to the tuner center toll bothThanks! I wonder if they plan on putting median lighting like they did with the last expansion. It makes driving through there so much better at night.

Thanks! I wonder if they plan on putting median lighting like they did with the last expansion. It makes driving through there so much better at night.

the long term plan is the have it that way and 6 lane all the way to OKC

I drove the new section today. Got on at Council heading West and took at to where it gets off on I40.

Very interesting to drive since I've lived in this area for 15 years and to see it from a different perspective. I've never been much for driving to the North side (Memorial) for shopping but now that I can get on the turnpike at Council it will be so easy, I suspect I will do more than I have before.

Acquiring ROW is easy through countryside, connecting, say Oklahoma City & Tulsa. That was easy & logical in the mid-20th century after the interstate highway system was defined, and you were just stringing cities together. Now we’re planning & building through growing metropolitan areas, as they continue to grow. It’s easy to ask today, “Why didn’t they do this in the Yukon-Mustang area decades ago?” But the growth and need that exists there today wasn’t knowable in the 1960s or 1970s. I’m curious: Where do people think the next highways should be built in the OKC metro, for opening 30 years from now in 2050?

It was about two decades ago: Mid 1990s when the idea started to be floated around for an outer loop. No action was taken to ensure the land stayed open. Yukon, OKC, Norman could have de-zoned it, if they worked with OTA.

I drove the new section today. Got on at Council heading West and took at to where it gets off on I40.

Very interesting to drive since I've lived in this area for 15 years and to see it from a different perspective. I've never been much for driving to the North side (Memorial) for shopping but now that I can get on the turnpike at Council it will be so easy, I suspect I will do more than I have before.

It will be interesting to see if easier access results in more shopping traffic from South to North. Or development.

I'm not looking forward to the additional NW side traffic/development, but it's inevitable. Moved here from DFW in '98 on 20 acres adjacent to Tom Wards' 13,000sf mansion in the sticks off Rockwell (well I say sticks, but it's on 150 acres of very nice land with trees, lakes, creeks, etc). HIs 150 acres and his adjacent parcels of another ~100 acres of open planted wheat fields are rumored to be in play. Desirable Deer Creek schools with HS kids in Audis & BMW's. There are several cookie-cutter developments springing up, but also a lot of mondo 5-10acre-lot mansions - (Tim McLaughlin's 20 acres with its man-made grotto w/imported white beach sand comes to mind). Paycom execs newly wealthy post-IPO. Progress, I guess.

I drove the new section today. Got on at Council heading West and took at to where it gets off on I40.

Very interesting to drive since I've lived in this area for 15 years and to see it from a different perspective. I've never been much for driving to the North side (Memorial) for shopping but now that I can get on the turnpike at Council it will be so easy, I suspect I will do more than I have before.You got on at Council? So is it open from Airport Rd? My evening commute a couple times a week has me coming from the airport area to Edmond and sometimes traffic is bad going through the heart of the city. If it's open I would start taking Airport Rd westbound to the new turnpike extension and the Kilpatrick all the way around to Edmond. But Someone a page or two back said only the couple miles south of I-40 was open so I assumed "you can't get there from here" (I know southbound is still not finished). But I'm ready to try it out as soon as I can.

It is open from Airport Road going northbound.

You got on at Council? So is it open from Airport Rd? My evening commute a couple times a week has me coming from the airport area to Edmond and sometimes traffic is bad going through the heart of the city. If it's open I would start taking Airport Rd westbound to the new turnpike extension and the Kilpatrick all the way around to Edmond. But Someone a page or two back said only the couple miles south of I-40 was open so I assumed "you can't get there from here" (I know southbound is still not finished). But I'm ready to try it out as soon as I can.

Yep sounds like it would work for you.

Airport road had construction traffic for a couple miles before the turnpike, which slowed it down. But I’m planning on taking that route from the airport to the quail springs area as well during rush hour.

all 4 on/off ramps at council have been completed for a few weeks now, stop lights are in.

They're still working on the retaining wall (which has taken a very long time for some reason).

They seem to have redone the approach to the bridges on airport rd. They had fallen and made for a large bump, but they had also repaired that a few years ago (maybe it was a temp fix?). Still not sure i understand the reason behind the added lanes on the bridges but looks like we may be able to get back to that side of the road before too terribly long. The traffic on the west bound side will continue as long as they have it squeeze down to 1 lane. Eastbound doesn't seem to have any issues.

I took this route (northbound from Airport Rd, then continued from I-40 to Edmond). It's going to be a nice way to avoid traffic at peak traffic time. The construction on Airport Rd was the only slowdown when I took it. I look forward to it all being done.

At some point when I'm coming from Lawton I plan to exit I-44 / HE Bailey at Bridge Creek and take Hwy 4 toward Mustang. I haven't yet decided on the exact route to the bypass from there yet. I don't know what would be quickest (though it's often the quickest you can get on a freeway/turnpike).

It was about two decades ago: Mid 1990s when the idea started to be floated around for an outer loop. No action was taken to ensure the land stayed open. Yukon, OKC, Norman could have de-zoned it, if they worked with OTA.

Believe it or not, l remember seeing plans for an outer loop when l was a kid in the 60s. The east loop was to generally go down Sooner Rd. all the way through Norman to l35. You can see remnant of the original plan where l35, The Turner Turnpike, The Kilpatrick and Sooner Rd. all meet. The Sooner Rd. divided Rd. is part of the original loop.

I remember the SW segment was about where the west toll road is now, went straight south a ways then made a smoothe diagonal SE (probably could have done this in 1970) before turning east between Moore and Norman to meet the Sooner Rd. Expressway.

Obviously the rest of what you say is accurate, no money was spent for right-of-way.

Anyone know what the construction on the HE Bailey Turnpike between a few miles south of Chickasha and the HE Bailey Spur to Norman is? They put up signs both ways (eastbound and westbound) saying construction would start 2/10/2020 a week or so ago.

Anyone know what the construction on the HE Bailey Turnpike between a few miles south of Chickasha and the HE Bailey Spur to Norman is? They put up signs both ways (eastbound and westbound) saying construction would start 2/10/2020 a week or so ago.

Most likely a dowel bar diamond grind retrofit.

Made a trip to Chickasha yesterday and drove the new Kilpatrick section from Edmond all the way around to 152. The new section is very nice, but it’s a shame better planning wasn’t made in the past to avoid the serpentine route that it takes. The 2-1/2 mile back track to the east only to have to get off at 152 and run back west to Hwy 4 and then south to 44 was kind of sad. But once on I-44 Chickasha wasn’t too far off. So it wound up being a nice drive that I enjoyed much better than driving down 44 through the south side of the city, I HATE going that way. I don’t think there was much time savings, if any, but this new route, even with the few hiccups is much better.

Made a trip to Chickasha yesterday and drove the new Kilpatrick section from Edmond all the way around to 152. The new section is very nice, but it’s a shame better planning wasn’t made in the past to avoid the serpentine route that it takes. The 2-1/2 mile back track to the east only to have to get off at 152 and run back west to Hwy 4 and then south to 44 was kind of sad. But once on I-44 Chickasha wasn’t too far off. So it wound up being a nice drive that I enjoyed much better than driving down 44 through the south side of the city, I HATE going that way. I don’t think there was much time savings, if any, but this new route, even with the few hiccups is much better.

so the Edmond to 152 section is now open aswell?

I actually got on at I-35 because I just happed to be over there, and drove all the way around to the new section and got off at 152 where it swings south to by the airport to go into Mustang. On the way back however there was no access yet to Kilpatrick, so I had to take the "old" way back on 152/Airport road to I-44.

so the Edmond to 152 section is now open aswell?

They opened it southbound to Morgan a couple weeks ago

They opened it southbound to Morgan a couple weeks ago

woo hoo... i'm hoping they get it opened all the way here soon. when leaving work at 5, i'm thinking this way will save me some time in getting home.

woo hoo... i'm hoping they get it opened all the way here soon. when leaving work at 5, i'm thinking this way will save me some time in getting home.

And even if not, I'm a big fan of taking 12 minutes to go 12 miles over taking 10 minutes to go 5 miles. I'm more than willing to go out of my way and waste a small amount of time to avoid sitting in traffic lol.

Does anyone know if SB is open yet?

Does anyone know if SB is open yet?
The signs still indicate it's not fully open - just to SW 59th St.

Does anyone know if SB is open yet?

I drove southbound from 40 a couple days ago. You're forced to exit near 59th Street. It's practically all done except where it connects with 152. As long as weather cooperates, I'd say we're less than a couple months from completion.

this weekend i was able to take it the full lengh. they now have a lane open to get to 152 Eastbound. still a lot of construction left to do, and you have to drive 35 for a good half mile. but you now can travel the whole way, well atleast this weekend you could

It is still opened both ways as of this morning.

any updates on the kickapoo turnpike? also is the s.w turnpike the one close to the airport completely opened?

any updates on the kickapoo turnpike? also is the s.w turnpike the one close to the airport completely opened?
The SW one by the airport isn’t done yet. They still have a fair bit to do on the roads leading to the Council Rd bridges.

any updates on the kickapoo turnpike? also is the s.w turnpike the one close to the airport completely opened?

I believe the Kickapoo turnpike will begin opening in 2021. Not sure when but I imagine the earlier part of the year it will open in phases would be my guess.

Kickapoo Turnpike will have 80 mph speed limit in some portions. All
Portions will be open in early 2021

https://www.lutherregister.news/2020/07/28/kickapoo-turnpike-will-have-80-mph-speed-limit/

What’s the status of the Southeast loop to connect Kickapoo to Hwy 9 in Norman?

Kickapoo Turnpike will have 80 mph speed limit in some portions. All
Portions will be open in early 2021

https://www.lutherregister.news/2020/07/28/kickapoo-turnpike-will-have-80-mph-speed-limit/

What’s the status of the Southeast loop to connect Kickapoo to Hwy 9 in Norman?

Can someone educate me on Why this turnpike is needed and how it improves/shortens access to I-40? Looking at the map it just doesn’t seem to make sense