Gilcrease Expressway Explained

Allocation: (US-75 to I-244)
(I-44 to W 41st St)
State:OK
Gilcrease Expressway
Map Custom:yes
Map Notes:Gilcrease Expressway highlighted in red
Maint:ODOT
Length Mi:10.5
Direction A:CCW
Terminus A: in Oakhurst
Junction: near Sand Springs (future)
L.L. Tisdale Parkway in Tulsa
in Tulsa
Direction B:CW
Terminus B: in Tulsa

The Gilcrease Expressway is a 10.5-longNaN-long highway in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the county's long-term plan to complete an outer highway loop around Tulsa's central business district. The highway will connect Interstate 44 (I-44) in West Tulsa to I-244 near the Tulsa International Airport.

Route description

Currently, the portion of freeway open to traffic is the section between North 41st West Avenue and Interstate 244. From US-75 to I-244/US-412, the Gilcrease carries the easternmost part of State Highway 11. The currently existing freeway serves Tulsa International Airport and surrounding areas.

Additionally, the Gilcrease Expressway Extension has been constructed. It is a 1adj=onNaNadj=on stretch of two-lane road signed as State Highway 344. The extension currently runs from West 51st Street to West 41st Street South at the 5600 block in West Tulsa. The Extension connects the community of Berryhill and the newer developments along West 41st Street South to Interstate 44.

Future

The next portion of the Gilcrease Expressway to be constructed is the segment between North 41st West Avenue and Edison Street in West Tulsa. Although, the section between 41st West Avenue and Edison Street is named 31st Street North, 53rd West Avenue, Newton Street and 57th West Avenue.[1]

Many homes have been removed along South 57th West Avenue between West 26th Street and West 21st Street. Plans include construction of a bridge over the Arkansas River, connecting Sand Springs and Berryhill.

$88 million of a $918.7 million tax increase will be put forward to the expressway's extension.[2]

Proposed turnpike

In 2010, the Oklahoma Legislature authorized the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to study the construction of a turnpike to complete the Gilcrease Expressway. The cost of the turnpike was estimated at $373 million for the final 6.7miles of the expressway.[3]

On October 29, 2015, Governor Mary Fallin announced Driving Forward, a $892 million turnpike package. A NaNkm5NaNkmkm (-2,147,483,648miles5-2,147,483,648mileskm) tolled extension of the Gilcrease Expressway was included in the package. The project is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2016.[4]

On June 4, 2018, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved the designation Oklahoma State Highway 344 for the highway, to take effect upon completion of construction.[5] The extension opened on November 14, 2022.[6]

Exit list

Mile markers reset between gap in route.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brian Barber . No fanfare as Gilcrease Expressway opens 2.2 miles to traffic . December 23, 2008 . Tulsa World .
  2. Web site: . Largest Tax Hike in Tulsa History: $88,000,000.00 for Gilcrease Expressway . August 29, 2013 . April 10, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140413154747/http://tulsabeacon.com/largest-tax-hike-in-tulsa-history-88000000-00-for-gilcrease-expressway/ . April 13, 2014 .
  3. Web site: Gavin Off . OTA to seek bids on Gilcrease extension . May 20, 2010 . Tulsa World . June 17, 2010 .
  4. Web site: Driving Forward OK. Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. 2015-11-19.
  5. Web site: AGENDA FOR THE REGULAR TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING . Oklahoma Department of Transportation . Oklahoma Department of Transportation . June 2018 . October 11, 2019 . Add the State Highway 344 designation to the new portion of the Gilcrease Expressway that is being constructed West of Tulsa. The alignment of State Highway 344 will be between Interstate 244/State Highway 51, west of Tulsa, and extend approximately 5.25 miles to the existing interchange of Interstate 244 and Interstate 44 southeast of the City of Tulsa. The addition of State Highway 344 will become effective upon the completion of construction and approval by the State Transportation Commission. . en.
  6. News: November 14, 2022 . Gilcrease Expressway Turnpike Now Open To Drivers . live . . https://archive.today/20221119113729/https://www.newson6.com/story/6372db356c9bd907257fe437/gilcrease-expressway-turnpike-now-open-to-drivers . November 19, 2022 . November 19, 2022.