A major construction project on the Turner Turnpike near the Creek Turnpike began January 11 to expand the Interstate from four lanes to six lanes.

The expansion is part of the Driving Forward initiative announced in October of 2015. The project will expand the turnpike to six lanes from mile marker 218 to mile marker 222. This project is near the Creek Turnpike entrance into the Tulsa area at the State Highway 66 interchange. This design will expand the Turner Turnpike from four to six lanes and increase the width of shoulders and add a new modern median barrier wall. Four lanes are expected to be open for the duration of the project, except on rare occasions, when nighttime lane closures will be necessary.

The expansion will also create an urban turnpike corridor, similar to the Kilpatrick Turnpike in Oklahoma City and the Creek Turnpike in the Tulsa area, with LED lighting the entire four miles. This project is also a part of the first portion of the Turner Turnpike expansion project that was finished in November of 2018 and expanded the roadway to six lanes from near Bristow to Sapulpa.

During the project, Oklahoma Highway Patrol will provide surveillance along the construction zone. In addition, service vehicles will be stationed throughout the four mile construction project. Troopers, ambulatory services and wreckers will engage key points to clear any roadway accidents or impediments to traffic flow as needed. Speed limits will be reduced to 60 mph.

“The Turner Turnpike is a vital turnpike corridor that connects Oklahoma’s two metro areas,” said Secretary of Transportation and OTA Executive Director Tim Gatz. “We have seen what the first phase of this project has done for this corridor and has increased safety and reduced the number of accidents and fatalities.”

For more information, go to www.turnerturnpike.com.