Turner Turnpike Expansion Project From 'Access Oklahoma' Begins Phase 1

The big turnpike expansion project called "Access Oklahoma" is finally underway after years of delays and legal challenges.

The first phase is a widening project on the Turner Turnpike, and some lanes are already closed Thursday night.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) says widening another six-mile stretch will improve safety, and improve the flow of traffic from Tulsa, with a higher speed limit as well.

The groundbreaking marks the start of a 15-year construction plan for the Turnpike Authority; the first project on the list is widening that portion of the turnpike.

"It’ll be lit, six lanes, wide shoulders, wide center inside shoulder, highway lighting at night, major safety improvement for this area," said Oklahoma Department of Transportation Deputy Director Joe Echelle.

The wider section will look like the stretch just to the east of the upcoming project, with lights on the median barrier, and much wider shoulders.

It will end at the Route 66 junction at Bristow, where eventually, the OTA plans to rebuild the interchange.

Tim Gatz, who until yesterday ran both ODOT and the OTA, said this is why there's overlap between turnpikes and taxpayer-funded road work.

"Sixteen and 48 and 66, all that comes together, and then has an interchange with I-44, we have no choice but to work together," Gatz said.

The construction plan has work moving from east to west, starting near Heyburn, which will gain access to the turnpike for the first time.

Governor Kevin Stitt, who made sure he broke the most ground at the groundbreaking, said this project is important, even as he said turnpikes should be limited.

"I’m not a big fan of building new turnpikes, but widening this turnpike is the right thing to do to alleviate traffic between the Oklahoma City and Tulsa".

The inside lanes will close overnight only for the delivery of thousands of orange barrels.

The $98 million project will take two years, with significant construction that will affect traffic starting March 11th.

The entire turnpike will be widened over the next 15 years.