OTA To Hold Special Authority Meeting Over ACCESS Oklahoma Turnpike Projects

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is holding a special meeting Wednesday with the hope to move forward with turnpike expansion plans.

Related Story: Cleveland County Homeowners File Lawsuit Over Turnpike Construction Plan

This special meeting wasn't on the normal agenda and wasn't released until Tuesday afternoon.

According to the agenda, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is considering funding and approving routes for part of its expansion plans.

There is one item to establish cashless tolling and plate-pay toll rates on the HE Bailey Turnpike.

Other than that, the entire meeting is over ACCESS Oklahoma, the plan that impacts residents in Cleveland County.

They will consider a resolution authorizing revenue bonds.

The amount of those bonds is $1 billion.

The purpose of them is for funding certain turnpike projects and improvement.

During the meeting, they will also consider approving the proposed designs for ACCESS Oklahoma Program projects.

Overall, this is a $5 billion, 15-year long-range plan.

A few weeks ago, more than 150 Cleveland County homeowners filed a lawsuit aiming to stop the construction of new turnpikes through the Norman area.

Wednesday’s special meeting will start at 3 p.m.

The OTA board is still scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 28.

The public may watch the board meeting video livestream by clicking here.

The meeting will be recorded, captioned and available to the public online later.

The board consists of a six-member panel appointed by the governor to an eight-year term, who oversees turnpike development and awards project contracts for road and bridge construction on a monthly basis.