OTA Announces New Alignment for South Extension Turnpike

mike33692
Sep 23
2 min read

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) announced a revised alignment Tuesday for the South Extension Turnpike in Cleveland and McClain counties.

Officials say the updated plan will help relieve traffic along I-35 in south Oklahoma City, one of the state’s fastest-growing and most congested corridors.

OTA’s Top Priority: Reducing Home Impact

OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle said the new route focuses on avoiding subdivisions, section line roads, and densely developed areas.

“Our top priority was minimizing the impact on people’s homes in the area,” Echelle said. “It was especially important to us that the new alignment avoid populated subdivisions, section line roads and dense development. Our engineers also looked closely at environmental considerations such as floodplains, considered municipal land use plans and existing utilities.”

The updated route begins at Indian Hills Road, runs south between 48th Street and 60th Avenue through Norman and Noble, and crosses US-77 and the Canadian River before connecting with I-35 north of Purcell.

Interchanges Along the Route

The plan calls for four primary interchanges:

East-West Connector interchange (south of Indian Hills Road)
SH-9 (between 48th and 60th Avenue N.E.)
US-77 (between 48th and 60th Avenue S.E.)
I-35 (near Purcell)

Additional interchanges could be added later if requested by local cities, including possible connections at Alameda Street, Lindsey Street, Etowah Road, and Maguire Road.

How the Route Was Decided

OTA says engineers reviewed floodplain maps, wildlife habitats, and cultural sites while also considering input from residents.

The northern section aligns with Norman’s AIM plan for future land use.
The SH-9 interchange location was chosen to avoid subdivisions, wetlands, and streams.
South of SH-9, the route shifts southeast to avoid developments and Noble High School, consistent with the city’s development plans.

The alignment from US-77 to I-35 remains unchanged from the 2022 proposal due to existing utilities and development.

Impact on Homeowners

The project is expected to impact about 75 homes, the same estimate as the original plan. OTA Chief Engineer Trenton January acknowledged the difficulty for residents and urged homeowners to attend open house meetings.

“We understand this can be an emotionally charged time for those whose homes may be impacted,” January said. “We want to work directly with property owners, answer their questions, and ensure they know their rights in the process.”

Construction is set to begin in 2027. The northern section could open in 2032, while the southern section is scheduled to open in 2034.