TULSA, Okla. — The Gilcrease Expressway Turnpike will finally open on Monday.

Construction began in October 2019 on the five-mile, four-lane divided highway. According to Tulsa County Engineering, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) is currently anticipating opening the Gilcrease Expressway West at approximately 2 pm on Monday, weather permitting.

The new turnpike will connect I-44 to US-412 across the Arkansas River, 4 miles west of downtown Tulsa. Over the course of the next 6 months, there will still be ongoing construction on the intersecting roadways:

• West 51st Street South is being widened from two lanes to four lanes, as it intersects the Gilcrease Turnpike, to accommodate changing traffic patterns in this area. It is anticipated that traffic will remain in a temporary two-lane configuration, for the next four weeks, as the improvements to West 51st Street South are being completed.
• West 41st Street South is being widened from two lanes to four lanes, as it intersects the Gilcrease Turnpike, to accommodate changing traffic patterns in this area. It is anticipated that traffic will be in its final lane configuration at the time of opening, however, some lane closures of the outside lanes will occur for completion of connecting driveways and sidewalk for the next four weeks.
• Left turn lanes are being added to West 21st Street South, as it intersects the Gilcrease Turnpike, to accommodate changing traffic patterns in this area. It is anticipated that traffic will be in its final lane configuration at the time of opening, however, some lane closures will occur for completion of connecting driveways and sidewalk 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 U.S.-412. It is anticipated that traffic will be in its final lane configuration on the frontage roads at the time of opening, however, some shoulder closures will occur for the next four weeks.

The cost of the project is estimated at $340 million.

Passenger cars, or vehicles with two axles, traveling the full length of the new toll road on the western edge of Tulsa will pay $2.05 if using a PikePass and $4.10 if using PlatePay.

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