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Kickapoo Turnpike expected to open first phase in September

Eastern Oklahoma County corridor to have 80 mph speed limit

By Ryan Horton
Managing Editor

Eastern Oklahoma County’s new turnpike is expected to begin opening in coming months, and officials say that roadway will open with a speed limit of 80 miles per hour.

The northern half of the new Kickapoo Turnpike, connecting I-40 and I-44 in eastern Oklahoma County, is expected to open in September, while the southern half is expected to open by March of 2021.

The new Kickapoo Turnpike crosses I-40 which will soon allow quick access to I-44. (PHOTO BY RYAN HORTON)

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority announced July 28 that rural segments of several Oklahoma turnpikes now have the green light for a higher maximum speed limit, and that includes the entire eastern Oklahoma County corridor, once open.

In total, OTA approved the proposal to raise posted speeds from 75 mph to 80 mph on rural segments of five turnpikes.

These locations total 104 miles and include:

  • Turner Turnpike from mile marker (MM) 203 to MM 216, between Bristow and Sapulpa, 13 miles
  • Muskogee Turnpike from MM 2 to MM 33, between Muskogee and Tulsa, 31 miles
  • Cherokee Turnpike from MM 3 to MM 28, 25 miles
  • Indian Nation Turnpike from MM 93 to MM 104, between SH-9 and I-40, 11 miles
  • H.E. Bailey Turnpike (Norman Spur) from MM 102 to MM 107, 5 miles
  • Kickapoo Turnpike (scheduled to open later this year) from MM 130 to MM 149, between I-40 and the Turner Turnpike, 19 miles

 

Officials say the change won’t impact urban areas, and all drivers should keep a close eye on their speedometers as changes are made over the next several months.

“With today’s approval, work can begin to manufacture and install the new 80 mph signs for each of these corridors. This process could take several months to complete. Until the new signs are in place, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol says it will be enforcing the current posted speed limit. Drivers will need to pay attention in the corridors before revving up or else they’ll risk a ticket,” noted the OTA.

The Kickapoo Turnpike project was announced in October of 2015, and should meet the initial goal of being complete in 2021.

The 21-mile stretch of toll road has been making rapid construction progress in the Harrah area since work first began in 2018.

Historically known as the Eastern Oklahoma County corridor project, the Kickapoo Turnpike joins other Oklahoma toll roads named in honor the Native American tribes: the Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek and Muskogee turnpikes.

The Kickapoo Turnpike is one of four large-scale turnpike corridors under construction as part of the Driving Forward initiative, according to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

The OTA reports the project will allow for a high-speed connection from eastern Oklahoma County to two major intersections for travel.

Once open, the new toll road will produce a drive-time reduction to access Tulsa from the Oklahoma City metro area, and alleviate current congested traffic inside Oklahoma City.

The toll road was designed to feature four interchanges including SE 29th Street, Reno Avenue, NE 23rd Street and Britton Road. Those east and south running roads that do not have an interchange with the toll road will run either over or under the new turnpike.

For more information about the Kickapoo Turnpike and other OTA projects visit DrivingForwardOK.com.

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10 Comments

  1. Anon Emouse on July 28, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    Great News!!!!!

  2. Jeff Hackson on July 28, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    PROGRESS!!!

    I want to go FAST!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Tami Dysart on July 29, 2020 at 8:05 am

    So is Britton or 29th going to be the southern most entrance/exit opening in Sept?

    • Ziggy Vargetta on August 2, 2020 at 2:04 am

      Their earlier stuff mentioned Britton to I-44 as a north sect. I’m guessing it depends on how construction goes if they open it more or all the way at once.

  4. Sandra morrison on September 5, 2020 at 8:17 pm

    Loving it we are moving out to McCloud and I work in north Edmond this is going to make a big difference in traveling Time Yippee

  5. Pamela Wilson on September 24, 2020 at 10:20 pm

    When will they fix Britton Rd, Luther Rd and all the other roads the big trucks tore up while building the tournpike? We also have an example of a dangerous road citation, where heavy dump trucks are running recently placed stop signs placed on Britton Rd and Peebly Rd. My son-in-law luckily waited from pulling out seeing how fast the truck was going and knowing he was not going to stop. Otherwise he and my grandson would probably be dead tonight.

  6. James on January 10, 2021 at 7:16 pm

    This map shows the new Kickapoo turnpike which isn’t fully completed, but doesn’t show the southern most section of the Kilpatrick turnpike.

  7. Jannattb on February 11, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    coin

  8. Tolikbeq on March 24, 2021 at 11:57 am

    Novosti

  9. Toliksno on April 27, 2021 at 7:34 am

    Novosti

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