Gilcrease Expressway bill filed in Oklahoma Legislature

A bill is going through the legislature in Oklahoma to add a 20km, 12 mile Gilcrease Expressway western extension in Tulsa to the list of tollroads the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is authorized to construct.

State senator Brian Bingman, Republican Sapulpa has sponsored SB1764 which includes as item 35 a few lines authorizing "a new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at Interstate 44 or near its intersection 49th West Avenue, (turning north, crossing the Arkansas River - TRnews) past State Highway 64/ 412 (US routes 64/412 actually not state - TRnews), turning north easterly, crossing 41st West Avenue, continuing eastward to the L.L. Tisdale Expressway in Tulsa."

The project would provide improved mobility in the communities west of Tulsa and complete a belt route 7km to 11km (4mi to 7mi) from downtown Tulsa allowing traffic better connections to long distance radial routes and outer areas. It is in the longrange plan of the local metro planning organization known as INCOG - Indian Nations Council of Governments.

The southern portion of the project (12km, 7 miles) appears to be fully planned and permitted but the northern portion (8km, 5 miles) needs route alternatives to be considered, and feasibility studies.

There's a decent sized bridge required over the Arkansas River.

Sen Bingman is quoted in a local report: "You need to look at all of your options. We should put everything that we can on the table. With funding being tight, you’ve got to be creative."

Bingman says his bill allows the Turnpike Authority to conduct studies of the project, but its feasibility remains to be established.

maps:

http://www.incog.org/mapping/Major%20St%20Hwy/Major%20Street%20&%20Highway%20Plan%20Map.pdf

http://www.incog.org/Transportation/destination2030/maps/2-2030RoadwaysPlan.pdf

TOLLROADSnews 2010-02-10