Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to reveal revised southern extension plan by end of September

CLEVELAND COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — The controversial "South Extension" corridor of Access Oklahoma's $8.2B initiative to improve the state's turnpike system is getting closer to being revealed for a second time.

The 15-year plan has been in the works since it was first announced in December 2021.

The South Extension was laid out in 2022, but the project in Cleveland and McClain Counties was put on pause after the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation discovered it didn't meet specific requirements to be compatible with Lake Thunderbird.

The Turnpike Authority was also taken to court over the plan, but in 2023, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in OTA's favor.

In a public meeting Tuesday, David Streb, Program Manager for the Engineering Firm, Poe & Associates, said they are "looking west."

Streb added, "We think we can move the alignment from 2022 and slide it to the west. Obviously, I mentioned we avoid very dense subdivisions when you get further west."

Streb and Terri Angier, spokesperson for OTA, said the project will move towards I-35, but it will not be directly next to the interstate.

Kelly Wilson, a Norman resident at the meeting, tells News 4, she and other homeowners want clarity.

"It's very unfortunate that the public finds themselves in this uncertain time. It will be nice to, to know where it's going to go so that people can have some closure and either get that relief that they're not in the path or know that they are and they can start working on a path forward from there."

Angier said the new plan should be released to the public by the end of September.

Over the past three months, the Turnpike Authority has received feedback from people living in Cleveland and McClain counties, voicing their opinions on where the new route should go and why.

Below you'll find a summary of the south extension corridor project and a data chart listing the over 600 responses from those in support and against the project.

The next Oklahoma Turnpike Authority meeting is scheduled for September 9.