New highway to be called Kickapoo Turnpike

 

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is naming the turnpike it’s building in eastern Oklahoma County the Kickapoo Turnpike. The project has been controversial to local landowners, but then Governor Mary Fallin said the turnpike was needed as transportation demands grew in the Tinker Air Force Base area as part of the Driving Forward initiative.

“We are honored to recognize the Kickapoo Tribe through the naming of the Kickapoo Turnpike,” Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation and OTA Executive Director Tim Gatz said. “Much thought and consideration went into the opportunity to name this current construction project. The Kickapoo name both reflects and will bring awareness to Oklahoma’s strong Native American culture to all who travel this turnpike.”

The Kickapoo Turnpike is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. It is a 21-mile connection between the Turner Turnpike (I-44) and I-40.

 

(source: The McCarville Report)