The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has approved nearly $137 million in construction contracts covering five major projects across the state’s turnpike system, with most bids coming in below initial engineering estimates.
The awards were approved during the OTA board’s monthly meeting on Dec. 9, 2025, and include three projects tied to the agency’s long-term ACCESS Oklahoma infrastructure plan. Construction on all projects is expected to begin in early 2026.
The largest contract, valued at $97 million, was awarded to Crossland Construction Co. for the first segment of the new East-West Connector Turnpike, linking Interstate 44 and Interstate 35. The project includes construction of a bridge spanning more than 1.25 miles, making it the longest bridge in Oklahoma once completed. Work is scheduled to conclude by late 2027.
OTA said the bridge design prioritizes environmental protection along the Canadian River. Bridge piers will be constructed outside the river channel, and the agency will closely monitor construction activities to ensure compliance with water-quality and habitat-protection requirements for threatened species.
Additional contract awards include a $27.8 million project awarded to Duit Construction Group to widen the Interstate 344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike to six lanes, a $12 million pavement rehabilitation contract on the southern portion of the Interstate 44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike awarded to Interstate Improvement Inc., a $2.4 million bridge rehabilitation project on the U.S. 412/Cimarron Turnpike awarded to PBX Corp., and an additional $3 million East-West Connector construction project awarded to Sherwood Construction Co.
Construction on the John Kilpatrick Turnpike widening will extend from Wilshire Boulevard to Northwest 122nd Street and includes bridge widening over State Highway 3/Northwest Expressway. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2027.
OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle said traffic growth on the John Kilpatrick Turnpike continues to outpace other facilities statewide.
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“The John Kilpatrick Turnpike has the most rapidly growing traffic of all turnpikes in Oklahoma, with steady growth between 8 and 12 percent annually,” Echelle said. “Widening the turnpike helps accommodate this growth.”
Meanwhile, pavement rehabilitation on the I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike will take place between mile markers 5 and 20, between Walters and Randlett in Cotton County, including interchange ramps at State Highway 36. That project is scheduled for completion by summer 2026.
Echelle also provided updates on ongoing work along the I-44/Turner Turnpike corridor. Westbound traffic in Wellston shifted onto the newly constructed bridge in early December, while eastbound traffic moved into its permanent alignment.
State Highway 66 is expected to reopen beneath the new bridges by mid-December, with additional exterior work continuing into early 2026. OTA plans to mark the project’s completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in early spring following installation of Route 66-themed art elements.
Separately, OTA has begun a $3.1 million bridge-widening project on the Turner Turnpike near County Road NS 3310 west of Wellston. The project is designed to prepare the corridor for future six-lane expansion and is expected to be completed by late 2026, with minimal traffic impacts.
Originally reported by Oklahoma Turnpike Authority in Construction Equipment Guide.
