Second Half Of Kickapoo Turnpike To Open

The southern half of the Kickapoo Turnpike will officially open Tuesday at 11 a.m.

This will make a full connection from the Turner Turnpike to Interstate 40 on the east side of the Oklahoma City metro.

It is important to note for this southern half, there will still be some major construction going on.

From Northeast 23rd Street south to I-40, the Kickapoo Turnpike will be reduced to one lane both ways, and the off ramps for both Reno Avenue and 29th Street will remain closed as that construction continues.

However, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority says this will be a major improvement for the east metro.

"We've had such a transportation vacuum in Eastern Oklahoma County. To have that high-speed modern facility out there, it's a game changer," says Tim Gatz, the Oklahoma Transportation Secretary.

Gatz says he expects construction to be completed on the southern half sometime in April or May.