
OUTER LOOP: EAST-WEST CONNECTOR
INFORMATION
Outer Loop: East-West Connector
Corridor Manager:
Sean Kavanagh, PE, CFM
Poe & Associates
J. Bret Cabbiness, PE
Garver
PROJECT UPDATE
At this time, the OTA is continuing design and planning work on only the section of the East-West Connector from I-44 to just east of I-35 at Air Depot. OTA has paused all activity on the eastern portion of the route to I-40 (including the interchange with the South Extension). Until the Oklahoma Supreme Court issues its decision on OTA’s application for approval of bonds, the OTA does not have access to the bond market to fund planning and construction activities for the ACCESS Oklahoma Program.
In January, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation formally responded to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s application to cross its property for turnpike expansion under the ACCESS Oklahoma plan. While the agency denied OTA’s application along the route of the South Extension, they did indicate willingness to work with OTA on the East-West Connector’s alignment across pipeline and flowage easements. OTA will continue to coordinate and plan the East-West Connector to ensure the easement crossings are planned, designed and constructed without interfering with the easement interests or the Norman Project’s infrastructure or operation.
TBD
ESTIMATED COMPLETION
~28 Miles
PROJECT LENGTH
$1,500,000,000
ESTIMATED BUDGET
(Updated as of 03/25/22)
TYPE
New alignment high-speed expressway facility
OVERVIEW
The East-West Connector is a section of the OKC Outer Loop. For a history of the Outer Loop, click HERE.
The construction includes a new east-west turnpike from I-44 Tri-City area (Newcastle, Blanchard, Tuttle) at SH-37, crossing the South Canadian River, east to I-35, then continuing east along Indian Hills Road and then northeast to I-40, connecting to the new Kickapoo Turnpike. This project expands the mobility of the south Oklahoma City metro by providing greater access to Moore and Norman while continuing the Outer Loop.
The project includes interchanges at:
-I-44
-S. Western Ave/60th Ave NW
-I-35
-S. Bryant Ave/12th Ave NW
-S. Broadway
-S. Sooner Rd/12th Ave NE (SH-77H)
-S. Douglas Blvd/48th St
-South Extension Turnpike
-S. Choctaw Rd
-S. Peebly Rd
-I-40
Status | Project # | Designer | Project Scope |
---|---|---|---|
Active | EWC-28001 | MacArthur | New Alignment - I-44 / East-West Connector Interchange |
Active | EWC-28002 | MacArthur | New Alignment - Bridge over the South Canadian River |
Active | EWC-28003 | TEIM | New Alignment - Western Avenue Interchange Extending East to I-35 |
Active | EWC-28004 | TEIM | New Alignment - I-35 Interchange |
Active | EWC-28005 | MKEC | New Alignment - I-35 Interchange Extending East 4.5 Miles |
EWC-28006 | EST | New Alignment - 4.5 Miles East of I-35 Extending East 3.0 Miles | |
EWC-28007 | EST | New Alignment - 7.5 Miles East of I-35 Extending East Including South Extension Interchange | |
EWC-28008 | CEC | New Alignment - East-West Connector Extending NorthEast Including Choctaw Road Interchange | |
EWC-28009 | CEC | New Alignment - East of Choctaw Road Interchange Extending NorthEast Including Peebly Road Interchange | |
EWC-28010 | CEC | New Alignment - East of Peebly Road Extending NorthEast to I-40 Interchange |
MEDIA
ACCESS OKLAHOMA PODCAST - EAST-WEST CONNECTOR
TIMELINE
Milestones will be added as project progresses.
Jan. 18, 2023
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation formally responded to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s application to cross its property for turnpike expansion under the ACCESS Oklahoma plan. While the agency denied OTA’s application along the route of the South Extension, they did indicate willingness to work with OTA on the East-West Connector’s alignment across pipeline and flowage easements.
Jan. 11, 2023
OTA resumed work on the ACCESS program in a limited capacity.
Dec. 8, 2022
OTA placed all work on the ACCESS program on pause.
May 17, 2022
Contracts executed for the following firms to begin engineering design on the second priority East-West Connector projects:
- EWC-28008 = CEC
- EWC-28009 = CEC
- EWC-28010 = CEC
May 10, 2022
Contracts executed for the following firms to begin engineering design on the second priority East-West Connector projects:
- EWC-28005 = MKEC
- EWC-28006 = EST
- EWC-28007 = EST
April 22, 2022
Contracts executed for the following firms to begin engineering design on the first priority East-West Connector projects:
- EWC-28001 = MacArthur
- EWC-28002 = MacArthur
- EWC-28003 = TEIM
- EWC-28004 = TEIM
April 14-21, 2022
A series of four public meetings were hosted by OTA to discuss the new alignments in the ACCESS program.
April 13, 2022
ACCESS Oklahoma Newsletter sent out to property owners in the vicinity of the corridor.
Mar. 11, 2022
Engineering teams assigned to specific projects throughout the program to begin preliminary design and necessary studies of the corridor.
Feb. 22, 2022
ACCESS Long-Range Bond Program Announced.
Dec. 7, 2021
Authority Board approves OTA Long-Range Transportation Plan.