The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority  (OTA) recently approved its 2021 annual budget which includes $130,865,287 in Capital projects and $109,582,398 in operations and maintenance.

The Authority also approved the OTA’s five-year Capital plan that includes nearly $615 million in investment back into the turnpike system.

Nearly $203.3 million of the Capital Plan will improve the safety and ease of travel along the turnpike systems. Those projects over the next five years include resurfacing projects, cable barrier installations, construction design plans and the conversion to All Electronic Tolling (AET).

“We are continually ensuring that our turnpike systems are appropriately designed, constructed and maintained to keep motorists safe, and the approval of this budget will help us do that,” OTA Executive Director and Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz said. “Oklahoma is continuing to grow and we need to ensure our roadways can keep up with the increase in traffic and support our emerging state.”

Five-Year Capital Plan Projects include:

• $61.3 million for diamond grinding resurfacing projects on the Indian Nation, H.E. Bailey and Cimarron Turnpikes.
• $45 million for cable barrier installation that will allow OTA to have positive barrier on every mile of road on the turnpike system.
• $28 million for the design and construction of a new State Highway 66 bridge and interchange near Wellston.
• Nearly $69 million for the conversion of the OTA’s cash collection to AET.

Oklahoma’s turnpikes carry approximately 500,000 vehicles per day including commuters and heavy trucks. Nearly 40 percent of OTA’s toll revenue is generated from out-of-state traffic.

For more information, visit www.PIKEPASS.com or www.drivingforwardok.com.