State Capitol Rally Planned by Opponents of Turnpike Link across Oklahoma County

Those residents in eastern Oklahoma County who are fighting the State Turnpike Authority over a proposed link between Interstate 40 and the Turner Turnpike plan a State Capitol rally next week.

Members of Stop the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority or SOTA will hold the rally on Wednesday, March 16 at 10 a.m.

They have angrily told Turnpike Authority officials they do not want the turnpike extension linking the two major highways and going through their property.

During a February public meeting, Gary Ridley, Transportation Secretary admitted, “we screwed up” by not offering more public communication about the massive project. It was the second public meeting to explain the project but both meetings were contentious as residents either booed or moaned when Ridley and other state officials attempted to discuss it.

The project would involve at least 20 miles of construction, linking I-40 with the Turnpike which is also Interstate 44. Shawnee State Senator Ron Sharp is one legislator who supports the project, claiming it would be an economic boost for the area and especially for Tinker Air Force Base and Boeing.

Even U.S. Rep. Steve Russell has indicated his support for the project even if it meant losing the quiet around his rural Choctaw home.