How The Oklahoma Turnpike Toll Increase Could Impact Traffic

When new tolls take effect next month on Oklahoma's Turnpikes, the higher price could move more traffic to other roads. <BR><BR><A href="http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/griffin/NEWS9/PDF/0907/NewTollPrices.pdf" target=_blank>Full list of the new turnpike rates</A> | <A href="http://www.news9.com/global/Story.asp?s=10731822" target=_blank>Toll Increase Approved for Oklahoma's Turnpikes<BR></A>

Sunday, July 19th 2009, 11:04 pm

By: News 9

How The Oklahoma Turnpike Toll Increase Could Impact Traffic

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Turnpike Authority voted last week to increase tolls to make up for a $21 million shortfall from reduced traffic, but the toll hike could move traffic to other roads.

The 16 percent toll increase could mean more drivers will be hitting the toll free roads, like Route 66.

Average Daily Traffic
on Oklahoma's Turnpikes

Turner - 43,148

Will Rogers - 38,830

H.E. Bailey - 45,042

Mukogee - 28,397

Cimarron - 18,629

Indian Nation - 17,283

Kilpatrick - 96,419

Cherokee - 10,846

Creek - 99,010

Chickasaw - 2,425

Craig Hoisington takes a ride down the historic Route 66 every week. But when he heard the Mother Road he often travels could soon be congested, that didn't sit too well with the avid biker.

Route 66 runs parallel to some of Oklahoma's toll roads, and with the toll hike, more traffic could be driving along this scenic roadway.

Big rigs often take some of the toll roads, but if trucker avoid the tolls, that could take a toll on bikers who travel these thoroughfares.

"Can't see anything that would be good from that," said Hoisington. "It's just not a very wide highway, not the best place in the world for semis to travel."

While some drivers are not thrilled by the possibility of more traffic, businesses along toll free roads like Route 66 are excited about the prospect of more business.

"We usually see around 1,000 a day come through the store," said Pop's General Manager Marty Doepke. "I expect that to increase quite a bit and the weekends, it stays busy consistently throughout, but the Monday to Friday traffic, I think we'll see a pretty large increase."

The new toll rates will go into effect August 4. View a full list of the new turnpike rates.