User:Scott5114/How to write an FA from scratch/Step 1

The Chickasaw Turnpike is a short tolled two-lane freeway that is located in rural south central Oklahoma. It stretches 17.3 mi from west of Sulphur, Oklahoma to just south of Ada, Oklahoma.

History

 * Originally envisioned as a Davis-Henryetta corridor
 * Authorized 1987
 * S. Okla politicians wanted it built to promote economic devel by connecting Ada to the Interstate system
 * Authorized as a compromise between rural and urban legislators who wanted to build turnpikes around Tulsa and Oklahoma City
 * Some legislators would not allow Kilpatrick, Creek, Cherokee turnpikes to be built without the Chickasaw
 * Legislation required that this tpk built before any other tpk could be
 * Gov. Henry Bellmon opposed it, argued it would be a money loser, had it built as 2-lane
 * Bonds for first section approved 1989
 * Cost nearly $44 million to build
 * First section opened on 1991-09-01
 * "I think it stinks. We never wanted to build it. It was not anything we thought was appropriate. But in order to build the three turnpikes that were necessary, that is the only way they would build it." -Dewey F. Bartlett Jr
 * Gov. Walters proposed expanding it and extending it to Henryetta as part of a 1994 turnpike package
 * Pavement rehab began 2006-02-09
 * Closed down completely in March for pavement rehab due to construction constraints
 * Caused traffic problems in Sulphur
 * Reopened on Sept. 29
 * Cost $12.8 million

Transfer to ODOT

 * Only turnpike that could become free
 * ODOT said in 1991 that it couldn't take the turnpike at the time
 * OTA voted 2002-11-25 to open discussions about transferring to ODOT along with $14 mil for maintenance
 * Gary Ridley: constant repairs, pavement problems, etc
 * "I told them that unless the Transportation Authority brought that turnpike up to ODOT specifications, and completed the interchanges at Roff and U.S. 177 north at Sulphur, we're not interested in having that thing dumped on the taxpayers," said House Speaker Pro Tempore-designate Danny Hilliard
 * Okla Transportation Commission which oversees ODOT voted 2007-08-06 to begin feasibility and cost/analysis studies towards accepting 4 miles of tpk between SH-7 and US 177

Tolls

 * The toll is 55 cents.
 * Consistent money loser

Services
Any?

Miscellany

 * Only 2-lane tpk in OK
 * Traveled by about 2000 veh/day