As someone who lives on the Norman/Moore border, in a neighborhood along Indian Hills Rd, I can say with certainty you are incorrect.

as someone who lives just 2 miles south of there in a massively large residential area where none of us fall into that category, i can tell you that a majority are against it here, and that is what i am hearing all across Norman, and those people are not directly affected... so i am not incorrect.

Two things...
It does not cut off Moore because the interchange is at Indian Hills Rd. In fact, for Moore residents, this a very welcome connector to bypass the traffic on 35. Moore still comes out in a good spot no matter what happens. And the road construction that will be done in Moore in preparation of the connector/interchange, wouldn't change if Norman did or didn't have frontage roads. It's to accommodate the traffic going to/from that interchange and the development that can still happen right there at Indian Hills. We get to spend bond money to turn a 2 lane into 4 land, and that's it. But with lots of benefit for flow and access since there isn't a 34th st exit on 35. IH is what they take. Whatever your thought about Moore is here, it's inaccurate.

As for sprawl, this isn't sprawl. This is actually in-fill, which is what you would want. Sprawl would be if it was developing south or Norman or way out east of Draper. Infill is what happens between the existing cities. Can't get much more infill than right between Moore and Norman, which has been slowly closing the gap for 20 years. That's literally why this thing is going in where it is.

To me, anti-development in Norman broadly falls into two categories: people who want to pretend they still live in a small college town, and old-guard environmentalists that reflexively oppose all new development. New environmentalists tend to understand that populations are increasing and people need places to live, so increasing density and incorporating walkability and transit are the most sustainable ways to build new homes.

Well if you live in Norman, it is so massive, it's really both still. Edmond too. There is an urban core, but also a VERY rural aspect. And i would argue that the rural area is actually more land in the city than not. Just do a google map search for norman, ok and it will show you the outline. My guess is that it's 40% urban and 60% rural, taking out the lake.

I honestly dont agree with the way things ended up falling out here and that Norman has lost an opportunity. But I can also see how many people would build out at say 60th and Tecumseh and have every reason to think that they wont have development near them. They have shot themselves in their own foot, to spite themselves. That's why i say i think the people think they have won something here by not getting the frontage/etc. And in the short-term, they may be able to maintain more of that rural feel and "win". But longer-term, it's really not a benefit for Norman.

https://www.newson6.com/story/67329d800480f936c76d81f0/ota-increases-access-oklahoma-cost-projection-by-3-billion

The OTA told News 9 in a statement the increase is due to inflation.

“OTA started estimating the future long-range program in 2021 and could never have predicted the 60 percent inflation in the highway construction industry since that time,” the OTA said in part. “While it's impossible to plan for everything, the Authority believes this to be as realistic a cost estimate as possible through the end of the long-range plan.”

OTA also thought they could have started construction 2 years ago.

OTA also thought they could have started construction 2 years ago.

yep the norman lawfare .. cost the state millions and millions of dollars ..

OTA also thought they could have started construction 2 years ago.

I'm skeptical of this claim that construction could have started 1 year after the initial proposal. Environmental studies, permitting, public comment period, eminent domain proceedings all take more than 1 year.

yep the norman lawfare .. cost the state millions and millions of dollars ..

Nothing about this is credible. Lol

The same thing has happened with ODOT. They’ve had to push projects back. TxDOT has had the same issue. North Carolina has had the same issue. And what BS said absolutely is true there is no way the lawsuits didn’t hinder this project and cost the state millions. It even led to the design of a less functional freeway that now will be even more burdensome for Norman due to the lack of service roads. More than likely this road is happening whether you like it or not and will ultimately help the town and the metro as a whole.

Nothing about this is credible. Lol

saying the interest rate for the bond package is 5.15%. But if OTA had been able to enter the market a year ago, the interest rate was expected to have been about 4.44% due to inflation.

that right there is around 200 million dollars

yup and Norman lost...they just dont realize it yet.

saying the interest rate for the bond package is 5.15%. But if OTA had been able to enter the market a year ago, the interest rate was expected to have been about 4.44% due to inflation.

that right there is around 200 million dollars

Had OTA properly done their homework and correctly followed procedures a trial judge would not have ruled against them in the first place.
As far as I know their is still no proposed southern access route after the Corps of Engineers oppossed the initial route. Hardly citizen "lawfare" there.

Norman did save the OTA millions of dollars by passing on the frontage roads so there is that offset.

Had OTA properly done their homework and correctly followed procedures a trial judge would not have ruled against them in the first place.
As far as I know their is still no proposed southern access route after the Corps of Engineers oppossed the initial route. Hardly citizen "lawfare" there.

Norman did save the OTA millions of dollars by passing on the frontage roads so there is that offset.

they won at the supreme court ... . they were not wrong ..

Had OTA properly done their homework and correctly followed procedures a trial judge would not have ruled against them in the first place.
As far as I know their is still no proposed southern access route after the Corps of Engineers oppossed the initial route. Hardly citizen "lawfare" there.

Norman did save the OTA millions of dollars by passing on the frontage roads so there is that offset.
Norman cost themselves millions of dollars probably much more than that an economic activity in doing so. So smart of them. The point of these roads is to foster and cater to economic growth in the metro. So getting rid of the frontage, roads was not a good thing.

Norman cost themselves millions of dollars probably much more than that an economic activity in doing so. So smart of them. The point of these roads is to foster and cater to economic growth in the metro. So getting rid of the frontage, roads was not a good thing.

Yup, that's why I'm saying they lost, they haven't gotten over their thinking that they "won" fighting OTA to realize that they lost in the long run. One day they will have to build it and it'll be much more expensive than it is today.

https://www.newson6.com/story/67329d800480f936c76d81f0/ota-increases-access-oklahoma-cost-projection-by-3-billion

The OTA told News 9 in a statement the increase is due to inflation.

“OTA started estimating the future long-range program in 2021 and could never have predicted the 60 percent inflation in the highway construction industry since that time,” the OTA said in part. “While it's impossible to plan for everything, the Authority believes this to be as realistic a cost estimate as possible through the end of the long-range plan.”


This is just the initial increase. It will probably be another $2 billion in reality once its all said and done. The costs of the bonds as well is a whole other ball game.

Our state does not have the money realistically to build like Texas does.

Press release:

**********

Open road tolling rolls out with a fresh new look
Motorists may now keep on rolling with cashless tolling on all 12 Oklahoma turnpikes. The last turnpike to switch to open road tolling occurred early Wednesday morning on the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike corridor between Tulsa and the Missouri state line.

Starting today through early December, the Will Rogers cash lanes at the Big Cabin toll plaza will be open to traffic for non-stop travel to accommodate the larger volume of vehicles traveling through Oklahoma for the holidays. While motorists may travel through those cash lanes at Big Cabin, they will not have to stop to pay tolls but instead pay them online. Signage is in place alerting motorists to keep moving. Motorists on the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike corridor should be alert for intermittent lane closures after Thanksgiving when demolition of the toll booths and toll plaza areas is expected to begin, weather permitting.

As part of the move to all electronic tolling with PIKEPASS and PlatePay, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority also launched on Wednesday a brand refresh of the PIKEPASS logo and of pikepass.com. Those visiting the website will find the updated logo, new colors enhancing the look and feel, improved navigation and content. The website platform is built on enhanced technology and is mobile responsive.

The PIKEPASS logo debuted in 1991 when the Authority first launched all electronic tolling on the turnpike system. This is the first update to the PIKEPASS brand in 33 years. The most striking change to the refreshed logo is its color scheme. Gone is the red that so many identified as vehicles stopping at cash toll booths. The logo is now a deep blue that transitions to green to convey to customers that they now will enjoy non-stop travel across the turnpike system. A secondary use of the new logo provides an updated tagline as well. It hits home that Oklahoma's turnpikes are Safe. Efficient. Reliable.

The new logo will be updated in phases across the Authority's communications. It will be updated on turnpike signage only as signs need replacing for other reasons such as age and condition.

A New Era for Tolling
PlatePay, the system replacing cash toll booths, helps create a free flow of traffic and eliminates sudden speed changes when motorists maneuver lanes to stop at a toll booth and then re-enter high-speed traffic. Eliminating these conflict points significantly increases safety on Oklahoma's turnpike system, which saw more than 500 crashes at tolling booths in the six years prior to cashless conversion starting in 2021. This change also offers customers the ability to conveniently pay their tolls online and never be distracted by reaching for cash while driving.

The Authority began working on cashless tolling by testing it on a small section of the Creek Turnpike in Tulsa starting in 2017. By 2021, the John Kilpatrick Turnpike corridor in Oklahoma City was the first to convert to cashless tolling. The Authority accelerated its initial cashless conversion plan from 10 years to just more than four years due to safety concerns for both motorists and employees. Overall, the conversion process cost nearly $60 million to complete.

PlatePay cameras photograph a vehicle’s license plate, enabling the Authority to send the vehicle’s registered owner an invoice for their turnpike travel. Motorists without a PIKEPASS will receive a bill in the mail or they may look up and pay their toll amount online at www.platepay.com about five days after traveling a turnpike.

PIKEPASS remains the most cost-effective way to travel Oklahoma turnpikes, providing customers the lowest toll rate. The toll tag also offers seamless travel on turnpikes within our partner states including Kansas, Texas and some toll roads in Colorado and Florida. To open a PIKEPASS account, visit PIKEPASS.com or call 1-800-PIKEPASS (1-800-745-3727). Learn more about PlatePay at PlatePay.com.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/pikepass112124a.jpg

^ There was also a pikepass.com redesign.

If you dont have a pikepass, go get one. The rates for non pikepass holders is ridiculously more expensive now. They used to be pretty close, but those days are over. Even if you only use it a few times, the money never goes bad, it just sits in the account. You're just throwing money at PikePass if you dont get a tag these days.

Yup, that's why I'm saying they lost, they haven't gotten over their thinking that they "won" fighting OTA to realize that they lost in the long run. One day they will have to build it and it'll be much more expensive than it is today.

Norman thinks they can get this one to not happen because they did it two other times. In the 1990s they shut down the lesser known but still widely known outer loop. And then in the 70s they also shot down a product very similar to the current product called the sooner freeway. The sooner freeway was supposed to go from the interstate 35 / interstate 44 eastbound junction all the way down to south of Purcell. With the Eastern connector type loop going in between what is currently known as Southwest 19th and Southwest 34th Street with half of that proposed loop being what we know today as the kilpatrick turnpike interstate 344

East kilpatrick expansion from eastern to i35 looks to be starting in January. Signage has gone up stating construction starting

If you dont have a pikepass, go get one. The rates for non pikepass holders is ridiculously more expensive now. They used to be pretty close, but those days are over. Even if you only use it a few times, the money never goes bad, it just sits in the account. You're just throwing money at PikePass if you dont get a tag these days.

Feel bad for the holiday travelers from out of state that get the "sticker shock" in the mail from driving on an Interstate that is also a toll road, unless out of state travelers don't get a bill since they have an out of state tag?

I've not been that way in a long time but isn't I-35 a toll road in Kansas...at least some of it

I've not been that way in a long time but isn't I-35 a toll road in Kansas...at least some of it

It is, I-35 from just north of the Kansas/Oklahoma border until the split in Emporia, KS. Like Oklahoma, KTA recently went to plate pay and removed their ticketing system and booths.

Unlike Oklahoma, Kansas has one turnpike, but it is strategically designed to go through almost all major cities (Wichita, Emporia, Topeka, Lawrence, and west side Kansas City). From the times we have traveled on it, I feel like it is in better shape overall. In fairness though, Kansas only has 236 miles of road to maintain, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has 630 total miles, with some toll roads getting very little traffic.

With only one Turnpike, it appears that Kansas does a per mile charge, compared to Oklahoma Turnpike's varying rates between the system.

https://www.ksturnpike.com/uploads/misc-documents/Cashless-Toll-Rates.pdf

It is, I-35 from just north of the Kansas/Oklahoma border until the split in Emporia, KS. Like Oklahoma, KTA recently went to plate pay and removed their ticketing system and booths.

Unlike Oklahoma, Kansas has one turnpike, but it is strategically designed to go through almost all major cities (Wichita, Emporia, Topeka, Lawrence, and west side Kansas City). From the times we have traveled on it, I feel like it is in better shape overall. In fairness though, Kansas only has 236 miles of road to maintain, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has 630 total miles, with some toll roads getting very little traffic.

With only one Turnpike, it appears that Kansas does a per mile charge, compared to Oklahoma Turnpike's varying rates between the system.

https://www.ksturnpike.com/uploads/misc-documents/Cashless-Toll-Rates.pdf

Oklahomans would lose their mind if we were like the kansas turnpike ..

I 70 just magically becomes a turnpike from Topeka - Kansas City .. I35 becomes a turnpike from Wichita to OKlahoma ..

all of their interstates are Partially a turnpike

Kansas is an example of 'It could be worse'.

all of their interstates are Partially a turnpike

Interstate 44 for it's entire length through Oklahoma is partially a turnpike (Will Rogers, Turner, HE Bailey) and it's not a turnpike through Tulsa, OKC, and Lawton.

Not an interstate, but is planned to be, US HWY 412 is the same. Enid to I-35 is free, I-35 to Keystone Lake is the Cimarron Turnpike, Keystone Lake through Tulsa to Chouteau is Free, Chouteau to Kansas is the Cherokee Turnpike, and then to the Arkansas border is free.

Leaving Tulsa in almost any direction and you will end up on a Turnpike. (Cimmaron, Cherokee, Will Rogers, Turner, Muskogee, Creek)

But I think I see your point, Interstate routes should be FREE roads and not toll roads for the entire length.

https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/general-highway-history/rambler/ask-rambler-why-does-interstate-system-include-toll

Interstate 44 for it's entire length through Oklahoma is partially a turnpike (Will Rogers, Turner, HE Bailey) and it's not a turnpike through Tulsa, OKC, and Lawton.

Not an interstate, but is planned to be, US HWY 412 is the same. Enid to I-35 is free, I-35 to Keystone Lake is the Cimarron Turnpike, Keystone Lake through Tulsa to Chouteau is Free, Chouteau to Kansas is the Cherokee Turnpike, and then to the Arkansas border is free.

Leaving Tulsa in almost any direction and you will end up on a Turnpike. (Cimmaron, Cherokee, Will Rogers, Turner, Muskogee, Creek)

But I think I see your point, Interstate routes should be FREE roads and not toll roads for the entire length.

https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/general-highway-history/rambler/ask-rambler-why-does-interstate-system-include-toll

Sure, if the Federal government wants to fund all the 'interstates' . If we're adding free to the interstate criteria list, interstate 35 would just end at the Kansas border. All the OTA turnpikes would just keep their turnpike names and drop the interstate designations. Doesn't really help anyone except knowing that its not free.

Sure, if the Federal government wants to fund all the 'interstates' . If we're adding free to the interstate criteria list, interstate 35 would just end at the Kansas border. All the OTA turnpikes would just keep their turnpike names and drop the interstate designations. Doesn't really help anyone except knowing that its not free.

You are right. The Interstate 344 designation for the Kilpatrick and Interstate 335 designation for the Kickapoo likely creates confusion for those not familiar with these routes thinking that these Auxiliary Interstate Highways would be free to their signed counterparts around the metro.

Interstate 44 for it's entire length through Oklahoma is partially a turnpike (Will Rogers, Turner, HE Bailey) and it's not a turnpike through Tulsa, OKC, and Lawton.

Not an interstate, but is planned to be, US HWY 412 is the same. Enid to I-35 is free, I-35 to Keystone Lake is the Cimarron Turnpike, Keystone Lake through Tulsa to Chouteau is Free, Chouteau to Kansas is the Cherokee Turnpike, and then to the Arkansas border is free.

Leaving Tulsa in almost any direction and you will end up on a Turnpike. (Cimmaron, Cherokee, Will Rogers, Turner, Muskogee, Creek)

But I think I see your point, Interstate routes should be FREE roads and not toll roads for the entire length.

https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/general-highway-history/rambler/ask-rambler-why-does-interstate-system-include-toll

sure but I40 and I35 are not during any stretch ... if it was like kansas part of them would be ...

sure but I40 and I35 are not during any stretch ... if it was like kansas part of them would be ...

The Kansas Turnpike, much like the Turner Turnpike, predates the Interstate Highway System by just a few years. These routes were built as Toll Roads and were allowed to remain toll roads as an Interstate route being built parallel to them did not make fiscal sense.

From my perspective these routes are toll roads simply because of timing. Turner was opened in 1953, the Kansas Turnpike 1954-1956, the interstate system was formed in the summer of 1956.

Well since physical toll booths are pretty much gone now, there are better funding mixes that can be used. Every interstate should technically be tolled with apportion plates bearing a higher share of the road maintenance costs.

The Kansas Turnpike, much like the Turner Turnpike, predates the Interstate Highway System by just a few years. These routes were built as Toll Roads and were allowed to remain toll roads as an Interstate route being built parallel to them did not make fiscal sense.

From my perspective these routes are toll roads simply because of timing. Turner was opened in 1953, the Kansas Turnpike 1954-1956, the interstate system was formed in the summer of 1956.
That’s interesting. I grew up with family at each end of both turnpikes, and I’m a U.S. and Oklahoma history buff who’s also interested in transportation. So I thought I knew most of the history of the highway system and the turnpikes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But I’d never heard that explanation before. Makes a ton of sense.

Other than traveling on them I never really felt a family connection to the roads themselves until a few years ago. My dad, who passed away a few years ago, told me a story connected to the construction of Turner Turnpike. When he was a youngster he worked for his grandfather, who among other things owned the ice dock in Luther. Dad said he had to go work the ice dock at like 4:30 or 5 a.m. every day because the turnpike construction workers came by every morning to get ice for their thermoses and lunch boxes. Made me feel more connected to the time the turnpike was built.

That’s interesting. I grew up with family at each end of both turnpikes, and I’m a U.S. and Oklahoma history buff who’s also interested in transportation. So I thought I knew most of the history of the highway system and the turnpikes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But I’d never heard that explanation before. Makes a ton of sense.

Other than traveling on them I never really felt a family connection to the roads themselves until a few years ago. My dad, who passed away a few years ago, told me a story connected to the construction of Turner Turnpike. When he was a youngster he worked for his grandfather, who among other things owned the ice dock in Luther. Dad said he had to go work the ice dock at like 4:30 or 5 a.m. every day because the turnpike construction workers came by every morning to get ice for their thermoses and lunch boxes. Made me feel more connected to the time the turnpike was built.

The Turner Turnpike was the first of it's kind (toll road) west of the Mississippi when it was built and the original toll was $1.40, which adjusted for inflation from 1953 would be $16.54 today! To think about the millions of cars that have traveled that route over the last 70+ years!

What's interesting to me is that until just the last 10-15 years, there were still many rest stops built into the Turner Turnpike. Chandler and Kellyville both had Phillips 66 service stations, and Welston and Bristow had McDonald's right off the turnpike in addition to the service plaza in Stroud that most are familiar with today that is now only west bound and the newer one near Chandler that is only east bound. Gone are the picnic and rest areas (teepee picnic tables) that were abundant across Oklahoma turnpikes and highways.

On a related note, I always found the Glass House McDonald's (Howard Johnson) on the Will Rogers Turnpike near Vinita an interesting landmark as it spanned over the interstate.

$1.40 was a lot of money in 1953. And i had always heard that it was originally only supposed to be a toll road until it was paid for. Will Rogers too. I don't know if that is true or not.

$1.40 was a lot of money in 1953. And i had always heard that it was originally only supposed to be a toll road until it was paid for. Will Rogers too. I don't know if that is true or not.

that was true until the citizens of Oklahoma voted in 1954 to make it not the case ..

Crazy idea, put up a vote to disban the OTA and do some budget reallocation to ODOT so we can maintain all of the roads.

If we can fund all of these turnpikes with tolls, if we have a tax spread out the entire state instead (widen the base, lower the rate) we would be able to do this for a better price too. Not only that, but we would remove a lot of administrative overhead as well as the conflict of interest in a group that's sole purpose seems to be expand to money grab more without the transparency that gives proper accountability.

Just a thought....

Oklahoma needs to figure out where future funding will come from first. Can't depend on gas tax revenue forever and taxes from electic charge stations won't work either because most electric car charging is going to take place at home.

Crazy idea, put up a vote to disban the OTA and do some budget reallocation to ODOT so we can maintain all of the roads.

If we can fund all of these turnpikes with tolls, if we have a tax spread out the entire state instead (widen the base, lower the rate) we would be able to do this for a better price too. Not only that, but we would remove a lot of administrative overhead as well as the conflict of interest in a group that's sole purpose seems to be expand to money grab more without the transparency that gives proper accountability.

Just a thought....

lol you would need to find a ton of money .. to maintain the toll roads ... creating an extra state wide tax is a non starter as it should be ..

lol you would need to find a ton of money .. to maintain the toll roads ... creating an extra state wide tax is a non starter as it should be ..

Why is that a non-starter? That's literally how ODOT works. We don't get all of ODOT's funding from use taxes at the pump either. And as said, we have to re-think that model as we move more to E vehicles in the next 20 years. There are ways to tax charging at home and away (yes OG&E can tell the difference on your bill on when its the car vs your fridge) to tax the charging. You may also see a much higher annual tag renewal or license fee. But it's much more simple to simply alter the state taxes across the board to include some small amount to do this. ODOT's really needed this for 50 years anyway.

It's not going to be as much as you think either. As I said, the more broad the base, the lower the rate can be. When you expand that to the 4M people in the state, you're talking pennies on those taxes that add up. We could absolutely do this for very little. I've always been confused about why Oklahomans are so opposed to taxes to help with roads but then make roads their #1 complaint. The money has to come from somewhere....it doesn't magically just appear. Either you pay it as a ridiculously high toll, or you pay it in a tax that's MUCH lower. 5 cents at the pump 20 years ago would have gotten most of our projects completed a LONG time ago that are still puttering along. But we complain about adding 5 cents all the while the price of gas itself is a few DOLLARS more. The logic on the anti-tax mentality is just....well, confusing.

Why is that a non-starter? That's literally how ODOT works. We don't get all of ODOT's funding from use taxes at the pump either. And as said, we have to re-think that model as we move more to E vehicles in the next 20 years. There are ways to tax charging at home and away (yes OG&E can tell the difference on your bill on when its the car vs your fridge) to tax the charging. You may also see a much higher annual tag renewal or license fee. But it's much more simple to simply alter the state taxes across the board to include some small amount to do this. ODOT's really needed this for 50 years anyway.

It's not going to be as much as you think either. As I said, the more broad the base, the lower the rate can be. When you expand that to the 4M people in the state, you're talking pennies on those taxes that add up. We could absolutely do this for very little. I've always been confused about why Oklahomans are so opposed to taxes to help with roads but then make roads their #1 complaint. The money has to come from somewhere....it doesn't magically just appear. Either you pay it as a ridiculously high toll, or you pay it in a tax that's MUCH lower. 5 cents at the pump 20 years ago would have gotten most of our projects completed a LONG time ago that are still puttering along. But we complain about adding 5 cents all the while the price of gas itself is a few DOLLARS more. The logic on the anti-tax mentality is just....well, confusing.

the turnpikes don't have to rethink any model .. they are set up to be fine with E vehicles ..

The Turner Turnpike was the first of it's kind (toll road) west of the Mississippi when it was built and the original toll was $1.40, which adjusted for inflation from 1953 would be $16.54 today! To think about the millions of cars that have traveled that route over the last 70+ years!

What's interesting to me is that until just the last 10-15 years, there were still many rest stops built into the Turner Turnpike. Chandler and Kellyville both had Phillips 66 service stations, and Wellston ftfy and Bristow had McDonald's right off the turnpike in addition to the service plaza in Stroud that most are familiar with today that is now only west bound and the newer one near Chandler that is only east bound.

When the service areas were first opened, they all had a full service Howard Johnson's restaurant. EB at Chandler, Stroud, and Bristow; WB at Heyburn and Wellston. There was a dog-ugly pedestrian overpass for westbound traffic wanting to eat at the EB Stroud HoJo.



Gone are the picnic and rest areas (teepee picnic tables) that were abundant across Oklahoma turnpikes and highways.


Before they were removed, do you remember the composting toilet experiments at the picnic areas? I distinctly remember the EB one at MM18

lol you would need to find a ton of money .. to maintain the toll roads ... creating an extra state wide tax is a non starter as it should be ..
Bullsh!t. Tons of other states have found a way to make this happen.

I got this email today.

Dear Valued Customer,

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority wants to ensure you have direct and factual information about the toll increase approved by the OTA Board at its Dec. 10, 2024, regular monthly meeting.

Turnpike toll rates are set to ensure the Authority can meet its financial obligations as well as operate and maintain the turnpike system. The OTA does not receive any state tax appropriations and operates and maintains the system solely from toll revenue. This means that the cost to construct, maintain and operate the turnpike system is not an obligation of Oklahoma taxpayers; rather, these costs are borne by only those that travel on the system of which 40% are from out of state.

The toll rate increase goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025. As a PIKEPASS customer, you do not need to do anything differently when you travel a turnpike other than be aware of the average 1-penny per mile increase to PIKEPASS toll rates. As an example, today’s PIKEPASS rate to travel between Oklahoma City and Tulsa on the I-44/Turner Turnpike is $4.50. As of Jan. 1, the toll will be $5.40, which reflects the 1-penny per mile increase. You may find toll rates for the 11 turnpikes that will receive increases in the December Board meeting agenda packet starting on page 14: Agenda for 12-10-2024 OTA Board Meeting.pdf

This toll rate increase was designed to generate a 15 percent increase in toll revenues system wide but the specific toll rate increase for travel will vary by turnpike based on the amount of infrastructure improvements planned as part of the ACCESS Oklahoma long-range plan.

20 percent toll increase on the I-44/Turner, I-44/Will Rogers, I-344/John Kilpatrick and I-335/Kickapoo turnpikes.
15 percent toll increase on the I-44/H.E. Bailey, Creek, Indian Nation and Muskogee turnpikes.
10 percent toll increase on the Cimarron, Cherokee and Chickasaw turnpikes.
The Gilcrease Expressway in west Tulsa will not see a toll rate increase until early 2026 because it is on a separate trust indenture.

Also beginning Jan. 1, to simplify the tolling process, the classification of vehicles has been reduced from five toll categories of vehicles to three: small, medium, and large. These classifications are still based on the number of axles on a vehicle traveling the turnpike system.
Why a toll rate increase?

The ACCESS Oklahoma long-range plan is the most significant reinvestment into Oklahoma’s turnpike system since its inception in 1953. The ACCESS Oklahoma long-range plan was designed to address significant transportation needs on the existing turnpike system while also helping solve growing congestion, travel time reliability, and safety issues plaguing the state highway system, especially along the I-35 Southern Corridor between Moore and the Texas state line.

This 15-year plan features significant corridor widening projects that will bring the I-44/Turner Turnpike, the I-344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike, and portions of the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike to six lanes. The long-range plan includes hundreds of projects from bridge and pavement reconstruction to adding new interchanges that improve access to local communities along the turnpike while also helping emergency response times. Three new routes are included that will complete the Oklahoma City Outer Loop, which started nearly 30 years ago with the construction of the John Kilpatrick Turnpike; and the addition of a Southern I-35 Corridor reliever route that will connect directly with the I-335/Kickapoo Turnpike at I-40.

It is common to see a toll rate increase when paying for a large investment in a system such as ACCESS Oklahoma. The last toll rate increase in 2019 impacted cash customers as part of the Driving Forward turnpike construction program. This new toll rate increase will be the 12th in OTA’s history.

In addition to the toll rate increase in 2025, there will be a 6 percent toll rate structure inflationary increase planned for implementation every other year starting Jan. 1, 2027. These rate adjustments will be reviewed annually in consultation with OTA’s traffic engineers as required by the Authority’s Trust Agreement. Upon review, the Board will consider adopting the inflationary adjustment to the schedule of tolls sometime before each effective date.

Even after this increase, OTA will still be one of the lowest toll rates in the nation, rising from an average 6-cents per mile to 7-cents per mile. This compares with a national tolling average of 22-cents per mile. And as a PIKEPASS customer, you will continue to enjoy the lowest toll rate possible.

Watch the Board meeting here for the full explanation by OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle during the Director’s Report toward the end of the video.

As you head into the new year, please ensure that your contact information, including your license plate number, is up to date on your PIKEPASS account. This will help us make sure that you continue to receive the lowest toll rate possible for your travel.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority appreciates your continued support as a PIKEPASS customer. If you have any questions or concerns about your account, please contact our Customer Service team at 1-800-PIKEPASS (1-800-745-3727).

In regards to the rate increases, it is what it is, if you have to drive to Tulsa, you take the Turner Turnpike, unless you want to add 35-45 minutes to your trip taking a free state highway and going through small towns.

I really feel for those without a PikePass or other state toll tag that has interoperability with OTA, if the math is right, a two axle vehicle with Plate Pay will pay $10.20 to travel the Turner Turnpike between Tulsa/OKC. The same vehicle was only paying $4.00 in 2016.

For someone who is more familiar with OTA financials, how much "cross pledging" is done between the Turnpikes? I feel like the Creek, Turner, and Kilpatrick traffic counts and tolls are heavily supporting to the rural, less traveled turnpikes, but could be completely wrong as the heavily used turnpikes could require way more upkeep in repaving and expansion of lanes.

Kilpatrick has portions pushing close to 90k vehicles a day, Creek has portions with 60k, and The Turner averages anywhere between 30k to 44.5 k vehicles daily. In comparison the Indian Nation is 20 miles longer than the Turner and gets only 3.7k to 8.9k (https://oklahoma.gov/ota/investor-relations/average-daily-traffic.html

In regards to the rate increases, it is what it is, if you have to drive to Tulsa, you take the Turner Turnpike, unless you want to add 35-45 minutes to your trip taking a free state highway and going through small towns.

I really feel for those without a PikePass or other state toll tag that has interoperability with OTA, if the math is right, a two axle vehicle with Plate Pay will pay $10.20 to travel the Turner Turnpike between Tulsa/OKC. The same vehicle was only paying $4.00 in 2016.

For someone who is more familiar with OTA financials, how much "cross pledging" is done between the Turnpikes? I feel like the Creek, Turner, and Kilpatrick traffic counts and tolls are heavily supporting to the rural, less traveled turnpikes, but could be completely wrong as the heavily used turnpikes could require way more upkeep in repaving and expansion of lanes.

Kilpatrick has portions pushing close to 90k vehicles a day, Creek has portions with 60k, and The Turner averages anywhere between 30k to 44.5 k vehicles daily. In comparison the Indian Nation is 20 miles longer than the Turner and gets only 3.7k to 8.9k (https://oklahoma.gov/ota/investor-relations/average-daily-traffic.html

Without cross pledging the OTA would collapse. The Kilpatrick, Creek and Turner are the only turnpike roads that pay for themselves. Every other toll road in OK is heavily in the red.
For the OTA to survive it has to get new bonds issued to help cover the old debt. It amazes me that our legislature has allowed them to run uncontrolled for 70 years. And now they are asking for 8-10 BILLION more dollars to build more roads that history has shown won't pay for themselves. We will continue to have rate hikes to support this Ponzi scheme until the state legislature has the balls to get them under control. No other state entity could spend 8 BILLION dollars without legislative approval.

Bullsh!t. Tons of other states have found a way to make this happen.

Please tell us how without increasing debt, taxes or fees? Tolls on certain highways are the best method because only the users pay the tolls and the tollways get built far faster.

Please tell us how without increasing debt, taxes or fees? Tolls on certain highways are the best method because only the users pay the tolls and the tollways get built far faster.
There is no other way you’re gonna have to do one of the things you mentioned. I still think that would be better than tolling the highways. It’s kind of a moot point though to discuss this because it isn’t happening.

Bullsh!t. Tons of other states have found a way to make this happen.

Not when Oklahoma has to have a SUPERMAJORITY to raise any taxes. Hence why it is basically a nonstarter. Teachers basically had to strike to get a pay raise and more funding a few years ago.

Without cross pledging the OTA would collapse. The Kilpatrick, Creek and Turner are the only turnpike roads that pay for themselves. Every other toll road in OK is heavily in the red.
For the OTA to survive it has to get new bonds issued to help cover the old debt. It amazes me that our legislature has allowed them to run uncontrolled for 70 years. And now they are asking for 8-10 BILLION more dollars to build more roads that history has shown won't pay for themselves. We will continue to have rate hikes to support this Ponzi scheme until the state legislature has the balls to get them under control. No other state entity could spend 8 BILLION dollars without legislative approval.

Legislature allows it because they know it's the only way to get new roads. OTA makes for a very useful boogeyman. OKC and Tulsa residents are the ones footing the bill for all the miles of state highways so it's not like "cross pledging" is unique to the turnpikes. Someone of these under utilized turnpikes are broken links that are part of long term plans. The Kickapoo is a good example that won't really be useful until the Norman bypass is built. That will take some traffic off of I-35 and who knows how long until ODOT actually gets funding to properly expand I35 from Norman to I-44.

I would also look at the history of all the turnpikes. Oklahoma legislature led the effort to get a lot of them built. Heck OTA wanted to give the Chickasaw turnpike back to ODOT at one point.

I think giving ODOTs funding issues any expansion of the 35 from Norman to OKC will involve toll lanes. I imagine that would require new legislation since Oklahoma currently doesn’t have any of those.

I think giving ODOTs funding issues any expansion of the 35 from Norman to OKC will involve toll lanes. I imagine that would require new legislation since Oklahoma currently doesn’t have any of those.

Agreed. We need express lane tolling. There is still a "free road" but it may be congested.

Without cross pledging the OTA would collapse. The Kilpatrick, Creek and Turner are the only turnpike roads that pay for themselves. Every other toll road in OK is heavily in the red.
For the OTA to survive it has to get new bonds issued to help cover the old debt. It amazes me that our legislature has allowed them to run uncontrolled for 70 years. And now they are asking for 8-10 BILLION more dollars to build more roads that history has shown won't pay for themselves. We will continue to have rate hikes to support this Ponzi scheme until the state legislature has the balls to get them under control. No other state entity could spend 8 BILLION dollars without legislative approval.

the system is crossed pledged because the PEOPLE of OKLAHOMA VOTED to cross pledge the system .... the system does pay for itself ... PERIOD

Even after this increase, OTA will still be one of the lowest toll rates in the nation, rising from an average 6-cents per mile to 7-cents per mile. This compares with a national tolling average of 22-cents per mile. And as a PIKEPASS customer, you will continue to enjoy the lowest toll rate possible.
.

This is kind of key ..

Without cross pledging the OTA would collapse. The Kilpatrick, Creek and Turner are the only turnpike roads that pay for themselves. Every other toll road in OK is heavily in the red.
For the OTA to survive it has to get new bonds issued to help cover the old debt. It amazes me that our legislature has allowed them to run uncontrolled for 70 years. And now they are asking for 8-10 BILLION more dollars to build more roads that history has shown won't pay for themselves. We will continue to have rate hikes to support this Ponzi scheme until the state legislature has the balls to get them under control. No other state entity could spend 8 BILLION dollars without legislative approval.

So the turnpikes that pay for themselves are basically the major turnpikes in the OKC and Tulsa metros? Good thing that the significant majority of the new turnpike cost looks to be spend on new highways in those same two metros, I don't think it's safe to assume that those new turnpikes are going to be as much of a money black hole as the rest of the system.

The OTA has built and manages 13 turnpikes. 3 of them pay for all 13. That is a less than 25% success rate. If I could bet on this I know where I would place my money.
The OTA is notoriously bad at traffic and review projections. The Cherokee Nation turnpike was opened 33 years ago and it still does not make enough money to pay for itself.
I'm not saying that all turnpikes are bad but I do think that we need to look closely at the OTA and slow the spending down until they can pay down some of the billions in debt that they have.

The OTA has built and manages 13 turnpikes. 3 of them pay for all 13. That is a less than 25% success rate. If I could bet on this I know where I would place my money.
The OTA is notoriously bad at traffic and review projections. The Cherokee Nation turnpike was opened 33 years ago and it still does not make enough money to pay for itself.
I'm not saying that all turnpikes are bad but I do think that we need to look closely at the OTA and slow the spending down until they can pay down some of the billions in debt that they have.

If I understand correctly, when OTA was seeking legislature approval to build the Kilpatrick and Creek in the late 1980's, rural lawmakers also wanted turnpikes, even though OTA said they would lose money due to less traffic on these "rural" routes, the only way to get the votes needed was to build these lesser traveled turnpikes to get the ones that were needed (Creek and Kilpatrick).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickasaw_Turnpike

If I understand correctly, when OTA was seeking legislature approval to build the Kilpatrick and Creek in the late 1980's, rural lawmakers also wanted turnpikes, even though OTA said they would lose money due to less traffic on these "rural" routes, the only way to get the votes needed was to build these lesser traveled turnpikes to get the ones that were needed (Creek and Kilpatrick).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickasaw_Turnpike

yep compromise .. imagine that ..

But the idea was to connect the metros with a faster route knowing that the state highways that were available before the turnpikes, were slow and poorly maintained.

Its sort of like college athletics. The big players subsidize the rest of the system but we still benefit from the whole system.

If Oklahomans weren't so dumb, we would have just given ODOT the money it needed to do the damned things themselves instead of creating the monster they did.