The first phase of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s cashless conversion of the SH-375/Indian Nation Turnpike in Southeastern Oklahoma is scheduled for mid-day Wednesday.
Motorists can expect to keep rolling with cashless tolling at Eufaula and Antlers, including the SH-9 and US-270 on- and off-ramps. The McAlester mainline tolling collection point is expected to convert to cashless tolling by early November to allow for the final installation of new tolling equipment.
Once the final phase is complete this fall, motorists will be able to travel completely cashless via PIKEPASS and PlatePay with increased safety and convenience between I-40 at Henryetta and Hugo near the Oklahoma/Texas state line.
PlatePay, the system replacing cash toll booths, helps create a free flow of traffic and eliminates sudden speed changes when motorists maneuver lanes to stop at a toll booth and then re-enter high-speed traffic. Eliminating these conflict points significantly increases safety on Oklahoma’s turnpike system, which saw more than 500 crashes at tolling booths in the past six years. This change also offers customers the ability to conveniently pay their tolls online and never be distracted by looking for cash while driving.
PlatePay cameras photograph a vehicle’s license plate, enabling the Authority to send the vehicle’s registered owner an invoice. Drivers without a PIKEPASS will receive a bill in the mail or they may look up and pay their toll amount online at www.platepay.com about five days after traveling a turnpike. PIKEPASS customers will continue to enjoy seamless travel at the lowest available toll rate.
After Wednesday’s switch to PlatePay on the Indian Nation Turnpike, drivers should expect intermittent lane closures in the coming weeks as crews work to remove toll equipment in the coming weeks. On Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., motorists can expect short, intermittent lane closures at SH-3 in Antlers, US-270 near McAlester and near the SH-9 ramps to Eufaula for signage updates. Additionally, motorists can expect narrowed lanes and intermittent lane closures at SH-3 in Antlers Wednesday through mid-September for demolition of cash lane median barriers. Once this work is complete, it will be open to three through lanes for non-stop travel.
This marks the 11th Oklahoma toll road to offer cashless tolling. The Indian Nation Turnpike joins the John Kilpatrick, Kickapoo, H.E. Bailey, Chickasaw, Gilcrease, Cimarron, Creek, Cherokee, Muskogee and Turner turnpikes in offering OTA’s PlatePay system for open road tolling. OTA plans to transition the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike in Northeastern Oklahoma to fully cashless tolling by the end of 2024.
PIKEPASS remains the most cost-effective way to travel Oklahoma turnpikes, providing customers the lowest toll rate. To open a PIKEPASS account, visit PIKEPASS.com or call 1-800-PIKEPASS (1-800-745-3727). Learn more about PlatePay at PlatePay.com.
The SH-375/Indian Nation Turnpike will convert to cashless tolling at Eufaula, Antlers, SH-9 and US-270 ramps this Wednesday. The second phase of conversion will be at McAlester in fall 2024.
