Oklahoma Turnpike Authority begins $48M Turner Turnpike bridge project in Wellston
WELLSTON, OKLA. (KOKH) — The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) broke ground on a $48 million Turner Turnpike bridge project in Wellston.
It's a step towards widening the Turner Turnpike to six lanes between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
The reconstruction project will revamp the nearly 71-year-old Turner Turnpike bridge over State Highway 66 in Wellston, opening it to six lanes.
Construction is expected to finish in the summer of 2025.
Lt. Gov. Pinnell said on Tuesday, "We're off the most famous road in the entire world and it is such an economic driver for the state of Oklahoma. Over half of all sales tax collected in Oklahoma is off the Route 66 road. It's that much more important for our transportation department and turnpike authority to be partnering together to make sure that we can make that safe and make it a very good experience for our tourists and, yes, absolutely for the 4 million people who live right here in Oklahoma."
The bridge will have four retaining walls that feature Route 66-themed artwork, thanks to a partnership with the Oklahoma Arts Council.
A new westbound Turner Turnpike off-ramp to State Highway 66 will also be constructed, and sidewalks will be added underneath the bridge.
- SEE ALSO: Oklahoma council approves $500 million bond for ACCESS Oklahoma project despite public protests
The ACCESS Oklahoma long-range plan aims to widen the entire 90 miles of the Turner Turnpike to six lanes, and this 1-mile bridge project is just one component.
You can stay up to date on project information here.