Over $50 million within five years is the amount of funding allocated by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority for enhancements to Interstate 44 and the H.E. Bailey Turnpike.
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It’s part of a capital improvement plan for multiple Oklahoma turnpikes, with construction projects expected to pop up all over the Oklahoma City metro and all over the state.
Officials from the OTA mentioned that they have proposals for the majority of the roads, including a allocation of $50 million each for enhancements to I-44 and the H.E. Bailey Turnpike.
“It’s a high-speed corridor, and whenever you’re in such an area, it necessitates certain safety enhancements,” stated Jeff Gardner, who leads construction efforts at the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
Over the coming five years, motorists in Oklahoma will encounter safety cones and construction sites as part of the extensive multimillion-dollar initiative aimed at upgrading the state’s turnpike infrastructure.
The H.E. Bailey Turnpike has reached an age of more than six decades, which means it faces challenges with its aged infrastructure,” Garder stated. “These initiatives encompass refurbishing bridges, repairing roads, and reconstructing guardrails.
Another initiative encompasses a significant accessibility project located south of Lawton, spanning from mile marker 20 to mile marker 30, aiming to entirely resurface the roadway.
“Garder mentioned that significant occurrences are invariably something we examine when we are structuring our initiatives,” he stated.
Authorities mentioned that they are aware the 2028 Summer Olympics and other yearly significant events might affect their initiatives, yet they intend to proceed with planning accordingly.
“Be it home football games for OU and OSU, the Olympics, whatever – significant events clearly influence when we schedule our projects,” Garder stated.
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This year alone, over $19 million will be allocated for use on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. Authorities mentioned that numerous additional construction projects are currently in progress across the turnpike network.
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OTA is injecting millions of dollars into I-44 and H.E. Bailey Turnpike improvements.
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