A new turnpike has opened on the east side of the Oklahoma City metro area that will, among other things, allow drivers from Tulsa to bypass the more congested roadways in OKC if they’re on their way to other places like Norman or Dallas.
The Kickapoo Turnpike will eventually cover a roughly 20-mile route from I-44, starting near Luther and then running north-south where it will connect to I-40 between Shawnee and Midwest City.
On Tuesday, they will open the northern portion between I-44 and Highway 62.
Oklahoma Transportation Secretary Tim Gatz says it could shave as much as 20 minutes off the travel time between Tulsa and Norman or Tulsa and Dallas.
The southern portion between Highway 62 and I-40 is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2021.
He says it’s also likely to spur new development in the areas east of Oklahoma City.