Construction is to begin next week on widening a section of the Turner Turnpike as the long-stalled ACCESS Oklahoma expansion plan is fully rebooted following the end of months of legal challenges.
Officials announced their new schedule includes construction of a new east-west connector toll road between Interstate 44 in Newcastle and Interstate 40 at the Kickapoo Turnpike in the first phase of ACCESS Oklahoma priority projects.
The first phase of the east-west connector toll road is to be built between I-44 and I-35.
Chief Engineer T.J. Dill told turnpike commissioners on Tuesday the first bond sale, totaling $500 million, will allow for an early start on widening and intersection improvements along the Will Rogers Turnpike and widening of the John Kilpatrick Turnpike between Eastern Avenue and Interstate 35.
“We are planning to get all of our consultants back working this week,” Dill said. “It’s been a long two years since our first pause.”
ACCESS Oklahoma, a 15-year, $5 billion plan to expand the state’s toll road system, faced more than a year of lawsuits waged by Norman-area residents fighting plans to condemn their homes to make way for new turnpikes.
The east-west connector, which will include junctions at Interstate 35 and Interstate 44, is one of the corridors expected to require acquisition, by condemnation if deemed necessary, of dozens if not hundreds of homes.
The 28-mile road will start at I-35 in Newcatle, cross the South Canadian River, and will continue east along Indian Hills Road in Norman. The connector will connect to the Kickapoo Turnpike at I-40.
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Source: MSN.com
