Toll Increase Approved for Oklahoma's Turnpikes

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- For the first time in more than eight years, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has approved raising the cost of traveling on Oklahoma's 10 turnpikes.

Damrill said the increase was necessary to help with maintenance and to make up for a decrease in traffic that led to a $21 million revenue shortfall.

"It's a bad time to have to increase somebody's cost of transportation, and we wouldn't do it if we didn't have to do it," said Phil Tomlison, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority director.

Many drivers who take the turnpikes everyday said they are frustrated and don't want to pay more.

"The convenience of the turnpike will have just been a thing of the past and we'll just get used to it," said Kellie Glass, who said she will turn in her pikepass after the hike.

But some drivers said even though they are not happy about the hikes, they will continue to use the roads.

"I'm still gonna have to take the turnpike. I'm still gonna have to use it, so I'm going to have to pay it. So, it's kinda frustrating yeah, and disappointing," said Micha Hester, who uses the turnpike daily.

Damrill said if no new turnpikes are built, Oklahoma's turnpikes will become free in 2028.

The new rates will go into effect August 4.

See a full list of the new turnpike rates throughout Oklahoma