Turnpike gas stations to close




OKLAHOMA CITY — Beginning April 23, motorists on the Turner Turnpike will have to begin looking for fuel in other areas.
Fuel service at westbound Wellston service plaza and eastbound at the Bristow service plaza will end later this month, turnpike spokesman Jack Damrill said. McDonald's, the food provider at both locations, will not be affected and will remain open to provide food and restroom facilities to the traveling public.

A private fuel company held contracts with the state to sell gas along the turnpike at those locations but decided recently it would not renew the lease, Damrill said.

Damrill said the fuel plazas had not performed well in recent years and the company decided to close those locations.

"It wasn't any kind of disagreement between us and the company, they just decided they weren't making enough profit to keep them open,” Damrill said.

If drivers find themselves running on fumes in either of those areas, they can get off the turnpike and fill up in Wellston or Bristow without being charged any additional toll, he said.

Damrill said there are no immediate plans to seek another fuel provider at either location.