Will Rogers Turnpike
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| Route information | |
| Length: | 88.5 mi[1] (142.4 km) |
| Existed: | June 28, 1957 – present |
| Major junctions | |
| West end: |  US-412 in Tulsa |
 US-69 in Big Cabin  US-59 / US-60 east of Afton |
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| East end: |  I-44 Missouri-Oklahoma State Line |
| Highway system | |
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The Will Rogers Turnpike is a toll road in northeast Oklahoma that runs from Tulsa, Oklahoma to the Missouri state line. It is 88 miles (142 km) long and costs $4.00 to drive one way.[1] The Will Rogers Turnpike opened to traffic on June 28, 1957 and was designated as I-44 in 1958 along with the Turner Turnpike connecting Tulsa and Oklahoma City.[2][3]
Contents |
[edit] Design
Because the Will Rogers Turnpike was built prior to authorization of the Interstate Highway System (in 1956), it uses a different set of design standards than are now current. As the road has been rebuilt, this is being brought in line with current design practice.
The original route of the Turnpike continued straight into and through Tulsa, becoming Skelly Drive in town (where tolls are not charged). In recent years with construction of the Creek Turnpike, the westernmost portion of the Will Rogers Turnpike was deleted so that the Creek and Will Rogers Turnpikes essentially form one road, with motorists required to exit at a standard cloverleaf interchange to stay on I-44. The new alignment adds over a mile of additional travel to motorists and truckers wishing to continue on I-44, encouraging them to instead remain on a toll facility for the duration of their journey (The Creek Turnpike takes a very roundabout route around Tulsa). The old pavement is now used as a training ground for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, among others.
[edit] Exit list
| County | Location | Mile | # | Destinations | Notes |
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| Rogers | 248 |  SH-266 – Port of Catoosa |
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| 255 |  SH-20 – Claremore, Pryor |
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| Mayes | 269 |  SH-28 – Adair, Chelsea, S. Grand Lake |
Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | ||
| Craig | 283 | US-69 – Big Cabin |
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| Toll plaza | |||||
| 289 |  US-60 / SH-66 – Vinita |
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| Ottawa | 302 | US-59 / US-60 – Afton, Fairland, Grove |
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| 313 |  SH-10 – Miami |
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[edit] Services
One unique feature is a McDonald's (formerly called the "Glass House," and owned by the now-defunct Interstate Hosts company) that sits over the turnpike, and one can see the traffic passing beneath. The McDonalds is purported to be the "world's largest." (the McDonalds on International Drive in Orlando, Florida, believed by some to be the largest, actually purports only to have the largest PlayPlace).
Law enforcement along the Will Rogers Turnpike is provided by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop XA, a special troop assigned to the turnpike.[4]
[edit] See also
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Wikinews has related news: Crash kills nine on Oklahoma turnpike |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. "Toll/Fares Chart". http://www.pikepass.com/maps/charts/frmTollRate.aspx?TurnpikeID=2. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
- ^ Oklahoma News 9. "OIT Oklahoma Turnpikes Interactive Map". http://www.news9.com/Global/category.asp?c=192033. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
- ^ Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. "OTA History". http://www.pikepass.com/about/history.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
- ^ "Oklahoma Highway Patrol". http://www.dps.state.ok.us/ohp/tngrct/OHPtroops.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
[edit] External links
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