Work Begins on Kilpatrick Turnpike Extension in SW OKC

Construction started earlier this month on the nearly eight-mile extension  of the John  Kilpatrick Turnpike in southwest Oklahoma City near the city of Mustang.

It comes as the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has approved bids totaling $94 million for the first two sections of the project, according to a published report in the Yukon Review. Total cost of the entire project will be around $190 million.

Work will take about two years to extend the turnpike in a full loop around the north and west sides of Oklahoma City, linking to the existing turnpike south of Tuttle.

Turnpike authority officials as well as though in Yukon and Mustang believe the new turnpike will spur more economic development and at the same time, ease traffic congestion on Sara Road. The construction project will also include a widening of Sara Road, something that makes Mustang city leaders happy.

“The benefit of the new turnpike extension is it facilitated a partnership among Mustang, Oklahoma City and the Turnpike Authority to widen Sara Road to four lanes and include safety improvements for this heavily traveled road,” said Mustang Mayor Jay Adams.

However, with the positive comes the negative—the elimination of some family farms.

“I don’t like taking the family farms,” said former Mustang Mayor Jeff Landrith.

Jack Damrill, Director of Communications for the Turnpike Authority said the acquisition and new construction will displace 20 homes.