Turner may be slow for next month

A construction zone between Mile Marker 212 and MM 214 on the Turner Turnpike has already shut down the westbound side three times this week and may cause problems for the next 30 days.

“(The Turnpike is down to) one lane traffic eastbound and westbound in that area and anticipated traffic back-ups may occur,” said Capt. George Brown, chief spokesman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The two-mile stretch of construction is located between the Sapulpa and Kellyville gates.

The two shutdowns Tuesday and one Wednesday have occurred during a rush hour period between 5 and 6:30 p.m.

When traffic backs up to the point the turnpike must be closed westbound, cars are diverted off at the Sapulpa gate.

Capt. Brown said OHP will ensure units remain close to assist in the area during (that) time frame should assistance be needed.

He said an OHP unit will be assigned to the work zone, but additional assistance may be required when and if traffic back-ups occur.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is placing message boards and signs in the area as well, he said.
OHP provides copies of its teletypes about traffic problems on the turnpike to the Leader, which will post them to Facebook and Oologah.net as they are received.
However, there is a time lag, and routine slowdowns do not generate notices.

Allowing extra time for trips to or from Oklahoma City on the Turner Turnpike is advised for roughly the next month.

Category: News