Eastern Oklahoma Turnpike Suddenly Named Kickapoo Turnpike

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The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority used Facebook to announce its name of the new toll road in Eastern Oklahoma County. The 21-mile stretch, under construction, will be named the Kickapoo Turnpike, according to the post.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority will call the new Eastern Oklahoma County toll road The Kickapoo Turnpike.

From OTA’s FB Page: Up to now you’ve know it as the Eastern Oklahoma Corridor (EOC) but today it has a new, official name!
“We are honored to recognize the Kickapoo Tribe through the naming of the Kickapoo Turnpike,” Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation and OTA Executive Director Tim Gatz said. “Much thought and consideration went into the opportunity to name this current construction project. The Kickapoo name both reflects and will bring awareness to Oklahoma’s strong Native American culture to all who travel this turnpike,” from the OTA Facebook post.

Gatz is the director of both OTA and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Former OTA and ODOT director Neal McCaleb, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, also served in President George W Bush’s administration as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs.

The toll road is being paid for through increased tolls along the state-wide turnpike system and through bond sales. Click here to view Turnpike stories covered by The Luther Register.

OTA also used FB to communicate construction updates on the Kickapoo Turnpike. The road is supposed to be complete in 2020.