Supreme Court validates Turnpike Authority bonds for expansion project

NonDoc By Michael McNut

August 1, 2023

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has received approval to take out loans to finance new toll roads that were challenged by the City of Norman and area residents who stand to lose their homes to the expansion.

In a 6-3 decision Tuesday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court approved a request by OTA to validate $500 million in bonds for ACCESS Oklahoma, a process that is required before bonds can be sold to pay for the projects. ACCESS stands for Advancing and Connecting Communities and Economies Safely Statewide, and Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the project in February 2022 as a $5 billion, 15-year planning effort that will expand the Will Rogers Turnpike and much of the John Kilpatrick Turnpike to six lanes, while adding new connector loops in the Oklahoma City and Norman metro areas.

“The OTA has properly exercised its authority to determine the route for the south extension,” wrote Justice James Winchester. “Further, the OTA has legislative authority (…) to issue additional bonds to finalize the loop. Accordingly, we approve the revenue bonds.”

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