I-44 to I-35 with toll by 2027
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority spokespersons Terri Angiers, David Streb and Lisa Salim met with the Newcastle Pacer on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the projected timeline of the opening of the East-to-West Connector Turnpike from U.S. Interstate 44 in Newcastle to U.S. Interstate 35 in Norman.
By the end of 2027, the new bridge across the South Canadian River will be open and Newcastle residents will be able to drive from I-44 to I-35.
That doesn’t mean all the lanes and interchanges will be open, and probably not all of the build out will be complete, but travelers will be able to pay a toll and drive that section of the proposed East-to-West Connector.
Angiers said, “As with many projects there is usually a big need before we get there.”
She noted the large amount of traffic which is already going through Newcastle and traveling either to Norman, Moore or the Oklahoma City metro areas. She also said Norman is the third largest city in the state, the Tri-City area is growing exponentially, and there is a lot of need for transportation.
With this in mind, OTA is looking at possibly completing one direction of the bridge first and opening it up with two lanes going either direction. This, they believe, will meet the projected timeline of opening by the end of 2027.
Streb and Angiers stressed the importance of building a bridge of this magnitude, saying when complete it will be the longest bridge in Oklahoma.
The OTA did something similar when they were working on the Kickapoo Turnpike and opened it early, while continuing to work on it. Streb said when opened early, the portion of the East-to-West Connector that is opened will be a safe travel from here to there.
“Designers are working hard on the interchanges and tie-ins,” Streb said. “As design progresses to a 6065% completion, OTA will begin purchasing the remainder of the rightof- way from area landowners that is necessary.”
Both Streb and Angiers said the Newcastle City officials have been very proactive and positive in working with the OTA on the portion that affects this area.
“Folks were talked with early and often and those conversations are going well,” Streb said. “The staff at the City, the Mayor, are all plugged in and have helped out, as well.”
When all is completed, the AC-Travel CONNECTOR on page 3 CESS Oklahoma East-West Connector is projected to be a 28-mile stretch of new turnpike. It will be from Newcastle, traveling east across the South Canadian River, before intersecting with I-35. It will then continue east along Indian Hills Road in far north Norman, and finally connect with the existing Kickapoo turnpike at U.S. Interstate 40. OTA’s estimated completion for the entire connector project is 2033.
CONNECTOR: entire project by 2033
For now, the tollway from Newcastle to I-35 is planned to be open by the end of 2027 and area travelers will be able to drive back and forth without all the stop and go traffic that must be endured by traveling on 149th Street in Moore, Streb said.
