Oklahoma Turnpike Tidbits and Scams

A news release from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority touts the authority’s on-schedule work and safety measures on several projects, including the bridge work on the Turner Turnpike in Wellston, described as being halfway complete. The OTA also addressed how it is addressing the pervasive “smishing” texts seeking to scam Oklahomans into thinking we owe more money, beyond our Plate Pay and Pikepass tolls.

Here’s the release summarizing the OTA May board meeting.

• The $48 million I-44/Turner Turnpike bridge reconstruction and widening project at SH-66 in Wellston has reached the halfway mark and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2025. Last week, the contractor began installing new bridge beams. Temporary rumble strips have been very successful at signaling motorists to slow down as they enter this work zone. Speed was the main factor in several crashes in this area before the rumble strip installation. Crews will be updating the rumble strips in the next couple of weeks.
• The I-44/Turner Turnpike widening and the Stroud service plaza reconstruction project is 35 percent complete. This $38.5 million project will realign westbound I-44/Turner Turnpike lanes to the south next to existing eastbound Turner Turnpike lanes. Motorists should expect a major lane shift in early summer to move westbound lanes to the south of the service plaza. New facilities for the Love’s Travel Stop and the McDonald’s, plus additional truck parking, are under construction at the service plaza. Currently, the parking lot and McDonald’s are closed due to construction, but motorists may still pull in for fuel and restrooms. Work is expected to be completed in early 2026, weather permitting.
• The $14.7 million project to widen the I-344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike to six lanes between Eastern Ave. and I-35 in Oklahoma City is 30 percent complete and expected to be fully open to traffic in fall 2025. This project also includes improving the eastbound John Kilpatrick ramp to northbound I-35 with a 12-foot acceleration lane to I-35 and adding a 10-foot shoulder.
• Four new interchanges on three turnpikes are now in the design phase. A significant part of the ACCESS Oklahoma improvements will be new interchanges on existing turnpikes to improve safety and add connections to communities. These new interchanges are made possible due to the cashless conversion of all turnpikes completed in late 2024. These new interchanges include:
  • An estimated $28.6 million interchange on US-412/Cimarron Turnpike at SH-108/Rose Rd. to Glencoe;
  • An estimated nearly $13 million interchange on SH-375/Indian Nation Turnpike at US-69 to McAlester;
  • An estimated $20 million interchange on I-44/H.E. Bailey at US-277 to Cement and Ninnekah; and
  • An estimated $7 million interchange on I-44/H.E. Bailey at SH-92 to Chickasha.
• Upcoming public meetings in Norman and Purcell will gather resident input on the location of the South Extension Turnpike. More information about the public input meetings and other ACCESS Oklahoma projects, including 60 percent design plans, may be found at www.accessoklahoma.com.

The board also approved an on-demand design contract modification with Olsson Inc. The new amount is not to exceed $5.8 million of the total $21.8 million contract. Olsson Inc. will provide engineering design work on eight projects for the I-44/Turner Turnpike, the SH-375/Indian Nation Turnpike and the I-344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike.

Cleveland County frontage roads

OTA also shared that it soon would restart the design process for frontage roads along the East-West Connector, following a resolution passed in March by the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners. The resolution requested that frontage roads be added back to the design after the City of Norman initially declined to take on their maintenance. Since OTA proceeded with the design of the East-West Connector without incorporating frontage roads, some sections will be added after turnpike construction begins and, in some cases, after turnpike construction completes.

OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle praised Cleveland County’s leadership, noting that the county’s commitment to maintain the frontage roads ensures residents and motorists have options for connectivity.

“We think this is a great decision,” Echelle said. “It’s going to provide the best traffic flow in the local area and will provide benefits to the area once it’s complete.”

‘Smishing’ scam texts in Oklahoma

In recent weeks, OTA has increased communication and customer service to alert the public about a recent surge in scam texts sent to Oklahomans. In these texts, scammers pose as OTA or PIKEPASS, attempting to deceive people into thinking they owe money on a PlatePay or PIKEPASS toll. To date, more than 420 fraudulent websites have impersonated www.pikepass.com, and more than 60,000 scam-related sites have been identified nationwide.

OTA is working to raise awareness through media stories, social media posts, advertising, and signage, urging people to be vigilant. Report suspicious texts to the Federal Trade Commission by copying and pasting the scam text and sending it to 7726 or visiting www.pikepass.com/updates for an Oklahoma-specific reporting link. Director Echelle also encouraged people to share this information with loved ones, who possibly might be tricked by the scam.

Smishing is a type of phishing scam that uses text messages to trick victims into sharing personal or financial information. It often involves impersonating legitimate entities like banks or government agencies to create a sense of urgency or false authority. A common tactic is to include a link that, when clicked, leads to a fake website that steals user data. 

OTA recognized by Keep America Beautiful

OTA’s partnership with Keep Oklahoma Beautiful received the 2024 Keep America Beautiful State Agency Partnership Award. Evelyn Schaefer, executive director of Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, presented the award for OTA’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its unwavering dedication to ensuring more beautiful communities. OTA supports several Keep Oklahoma Beautiful programs including anti-litter education, the Great American Cleanup, and the Environmental Excellence awards celebration.