TULSA, Okla. — A new turnpike in west Tulsa will open to traffic Monday afternoon.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) said the new Gilcrease Expressway extension is expected to open at 2 p.m. Monday, weather permitting. It’s taken about two years to finish construction on the project.
The new turnpike connects travel from Interstate 44 to U.S. Highway 412 across the Arkansas River. Over the course of the next six months, there will still be ongoing construction on the intersecting roadways.
Tolls will become active on a one-mile stretch of the expressway between West 41st Street and West 51st Street.
Drivers should expect the following road conditions:
- 51st is being widened from two lanes to four lanes, as it intersects the Gilcrease Turnpike. It’s anticipated that traffic will remain in a temporary two-lane configuration, for the next four weeks, as the improvements to 51st are being completed.
- 41st is being widened from two lanes to four lanes, as it intersects the Gilcrease Turnpike. Some closures of the outside lanes will occur for the next four weeks.
- Left turn lanes are being added to West 21st Street South as it intersects the Gilcrease Turnpike. Some lane closures will occur for completion of connecting driveways and sidewalks for the next four weeks.
- New frontage roads were constructed along US-412 between South 65th West Avenue and South 49th West Avenue, to provide access to and from the Gilcrease Turnpike, to US-412. Some shoulder closures will occur for the next four weeks.