Okla. Stat. tit. 69, § 69-1705

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is hereby authorized and

empowered:

(a) To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and

conduct of its business.

(b) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure.

(c) To maintain an office at such place or places within the

state as it may designate.

(d) To sue and be sued in contract, reverse condemnation,

equity, mandamus and similar actions in its own name, plead and be

impleaded; provided, that any and all actions at law or in equity

against the Authority shall be brought in the county in which the

principal office of the Authority shall be located, or in the county

of the residence of the plaintiff, or the county where the cause of

action arose. All privileges granted to the Authority and duties

enjoined upon the Authority by the provisions of Sections 1701

through 1734 of this title may be enforced in a court of competent

jurisdiction in an action in mandamus.

(e) To construct, maintain, repair and operate turnpike

projects and highways, with their access and connecting roads, at

such locations and on such routes as it shall determine to be

feasible and economically sound; provided, that until specifically

authorized by the Legislature, the Authority shall be authorized to

construct and operate toll turnpikes only at the following

locations:

(1) The Turner Turnpike between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

(2) The Southwestern (H.E. Bailey) Turnpike between Oklahoma

City and Wichita Falls, Texas.

(3) The Northeastern (Will Rogers) Turnpike between Tulsa and

Joplin, Missouri.

(4) The Eastern (Indian Nation) Turnpike between Tulsa and

Paris, Texas, including all or any part thereof between McAlester

and the Red River south of Hugo.

(5) The Cimarron Turnpike between Tulsa and Interstate Highway

35 north of Perry, including a connection to Stillwater.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 312

(6) The Muskogee Turnpike between Broken Arrow and Interstate

Highway 40 west of Webbers Falls.

(7) All or any part of an extension of the Muskogee Turnpike,

beginning at a point on Interstate Highway 40 near the present south

terminus of the Muskogee Turnpike, and extending in a southeasterly

direction on an alignment near Stigler, Poteau and Heavener to the

vicinity of the Arkansas State Line to furnish access to Hot

Springs, Texarkana, Shreveport and New Orleans.

(8) A tollgate on the Turner Turnpike in the vicinity of

Luther, Oklahoma, and in the vicinity of the intersection of State

Highway 33 and Turner Turnpike in Creek County, Oklahoma, or in the

vicinity of the intersection of State Highway 33 and Turner Turnpike

or U.S. Highway 66 in Creek County, Oklahoma, from any monies

available to the Authority.

(9) Add on the Will Rogers Turnpike a northbound automatic

tollgate onto State Highway 28 and a southbound on-ramp from State

Highway 28.

(10) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning in the

vicinity of Duncan extending east to the vicinity of the City of

Davis, and extending in a northeasterly direction, by way of the

vicinity of the City of Ada, to a connection in the vicinity of

Henryetta or in the vicinity of the intersection of State Highway 48

and Interstate 40; and a turnpike or any part or parts thereof from

the vicinity of Snyder extending north to the vicinity of Woodward.

(11) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning at a

point in the vicinity of Ponca City, or at a point on the Kansas-

Oklahoma state boundary line east of the Arkansas River and west of

the point where Oklahoma State Highway No. 18 intersects said state

boundary line, and extending in a southeasterly direction to a

connection with the Tulsa Urban Expressway System in the general

area of the Port of Catoosa.
art or parts thereof beginning at a

point in the vicinity of Ponca City, or at a point on the Kansas-

Oklahoma state boundary line east of the Arkansas River and west of

the point where Oklahoma State Highway No. 18 intersects said state

boundary line, and extending in a southeasterly direction to a

connection with the Tulsa Urban Expressway System in the general

area of the Port of Catoosa.

(12) All or any part of an Oklahoma City toll expressway system

connecting the residential, industrial and State Capitol Complex in

the north part of Oklahoma City with the residential, industrial and

Will Rogers World Airport Complex in the south and southwest parts

of Oklahoma City.

(13) A turnpike (The Industrial Parkway) or any part or parts

thereof beginning at a point on the Oklahoma-Kansas state boundary

line between the point where U.S. Highway 66 intersects the boundary

line and the northeast corner of Oklahoma and ending by means of a

connection or connections with Shreveport, Louisiana, and Houston,

Texas, in southeastern Oklahoma and at no point to exceed thirty

(30) miles west of the Missouri or Arkansas border.

(14) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning in the

vicinity of Velma or County Line to a point intersecting with

Interstate 35 in the area south of Davis.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 313

(15) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning in the

vicinity of Watonga and extending south and/or east to the vicinity

of north and/or west Oklahoma City.

(16) A tollgate on the Will Rogers Turnpike near the

intersection of State Highway 137 and the Will Rogers Turnpike,

located south of Quapaw.

(17) A tollgate on the Muskogee Turnpike in the vicinity of

Porter, Oklahoma, a tollgate on the Will Rogers Turnpike in the

vicinity of Adair, Oklahoma, a tollgate on the Turner Turnpike in

the vicinity of Luther, Oklahoma, and a tollgate on the H.E. Bailey

Turnpike at Elgin, Oklahoma, from any monies available to the

Authority.

(18) A tollgate on the Turner Turnpike in the vicinity of

Wellston, Oklahoma, from any monies available to the Authority.

(19) A tollgate on the Muskogee Turnpike in the vicinity of

Brushy Mountain, Oklahoma, and in the vicinity of Elm Grove,

Oklahoma, from any monies available to the Authority.

(20) All or any part of an Oklahoma City Outer Loop expressway

system beginning in the vicinity of I-35 and the Turner Turnpike and

extending west into Canadian County and then south to I-40; and then

south and east to I-35 in the vicinity of Moore and Norman; and then

extending east and north to I-40 east of Tinker Field; and then

extending north to the Turner Turnpike to complete the Outer Loop.

(21) All or any part of the Tulsa south bypass expressway

system beginning in the vicinity of the Turner Turnpike near Sapulpa

and extending south and east to U.S. 75 in the vicinity of 96th

Street to 121st Street; and then east across the Arkansas River to a

connection with the Mingo Valley Expressway; and then south and/or

east to a point on the Tulsa-Wagoner County Line near 131st Street

south in the city of Broken Arrow.

(22) A new turnpike or any part thereof from near the west gate

of the Will Rogers Turnpike south to the west end of south Tulsa

Turnpike at the Tulsa-Wagoner County Line.

(23) A new turnpike or any parts thereof from the vicinity of

the connection between State Highway 33 and U.S. 69 easterly to the

Arkansas State Line.

(24) A four-lane extension of the Muskogee Turnpike from

Interstate Highway 40 west of Webbers Falls to the Poteau vicinity.

(25) A new turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning at a

point in the vicinity of northwest Tulsa, and extending in a

northwesterly direction, by means of a connection or connections

with the cities of Pawhuska and Newkirk, to a point intersecting in

the vicinity of U.S. Highway No. 77 and the Kansas State Line.
from

Interstate Highway 40 west of Webbers Falls to the Poteau vicinity.

(25) A new turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning at a

point in the vicinity of northwest Tulsa, and extending in a

northwesterly direction, by means of a connection or connections

with the cities of Pawhuska and Newkirk, to a point intersecting in

the vicinity of U.S. Highway No. 77 and the Kansas State Line.

(26) A full access interchange on the Indian Nation Turnpike

south of Interstate 40, in the vicinity of Henryetta, Oklahoma, and

in the vicinity of the proposed theme park, museum or an industrial

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 314

facility which qualifies for the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act,

from any monies available to the Authority.

(27) A new turnpike beginning at a point directly west of the

Arkansas line and four-laning Highway 70 from that point to the

farthest western reach of Highway 70 creating a southern route

through Oklahoma.

(28) A new turnpike and bridge or any parts thereof from a

point in the vicinity of the city of Mustang southerly across the

South Canadian River to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike in the vicinity of

the city of Tuttle; and then easterly across the South Canadian

River to a point in the vicinity of the city of Norman.

(29) A new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at a point

in the vicinity of the city of Altus and extending in a

northwesterly direction to a point in the vicinity of the city of

Sayre.

(30) A new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at a point

in the vicinity of the city of Enid and extending in a westerly

direction to a point in the vicinity of the city of Woodward.

(31) An on- and off-ramp or any parts thereof at Fletcher,

Oklahoma, in the vicinity of the Interstate 44 and State Highway 277

intersection. Any existing on- or off-ramp or any parts thereof in

the vicinity of Fletcher, Oklahoma, shall not be removed and shall

be maintained pursuant to Section 1701 et seq. of this title.

(32) A new bridge crossing the Arkansas River between South

Delaware Avenue and Memorial Drive in Tulsa County. This project

shall commence upon a determination by the Oklahoma Transportation

Authority that such bridge shall be self-sufficient at some point

over a thirty-year time period from the toll charges associated with

the bridge project.

(33) An exit ramp or any parts thereof from the eastbound lane

of the Turner Turnpike at 96th Street in Tulsa.

(34) An on- and off-ramp or any parts thereof on the Cimarron

Turnpike in the vicinity of the northside of the Glencoe, Oklahoma,

municipal limits.

(35) A new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at

Interstate 44 at or near its intersection with 49th West Avenue,

past State Highway 64/412, turning northeasterly, crossing 41st West

Avenue, and continuing eastward to the L.L. Tisdale Expressway in

Tulsa, Oklahoma.

All access roads, interchanges, or lead roads connecting such

turnpikes with existing highways must be built by funds furnished by

the Authority.

The minimum and maximum wages for the construction of the roads,

highways and projects provided for in Sections 1701 through 1734 of

this title shall be in accordance with the schedules of wages used

or adopted by the Commission in construction of state highways.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 315

The Authority is hereby authorized to enter into contracts or

agreements with agencies and instrumentalities of other states or

the national government for construction, maintenance and operation

of interstate turnpikes or highways.

The Authority is hereby required to construct and install

automatic tollgates on the Will Rogers Turnpike at State Highway No.

28 near Adair.
d Ferries Page 315

The Authority is hereby authorized to enter into contracts or

agreements with agencies and instrumentalities of other states or

the national government for construction, maintenance and operation

of interstate turnpikes or highways.

The Authority is hereby required to construct and install

automatic tollgates on the Will Rogers Turnpike at State Highway No.

28 near Adair.

(f) To issue turnpike revenue bonds of the Authority, payable

solely from revenues, including the revenues accruing to the trust

fund created by Sections 1701 through 1734 of this title, for the

purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of any one or more

turnpike projects. Provided that any bonds issued for the

construction of the proposed turnpike referred to in subparagraphs

(10), (20), (21) and (22) of paragraph (e) of this section shall be

issued as one issue for all four of the proposed turnpikes and shall

be financed, constructed and operated under one bond indenture.

(g) To fix and revise from time to time tolls for the use of

any turnpike projects.

Any common carrier having authority at the time of opening any

turnpike project to operate upon a highway approximately paralleling

the turnpike project shall be granted without further showing

authority to operate over the turnpike project to all municipalities

which such carrier is serving at the time the turnpike project is

opened to traffic. But nothing herein shall be construed as

granting any new operation rights to any common carriers.

(h) To acquire, hold, and dispose of real and personal property

in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties.

(i) To acquire in the name of the Authority by purchase or

otherwise on such terms and conditions and in such manner as it may

deem proper, or by exercise of the right of condemnation in manner

hereinafter provided, such public or private lands, including public

parks, playgrounds, or reservations, or parts thereof or rights

therein, rights-of-way, property, rights, easements, and interests,

as it may deem necessary for carrying out the provisions of Sections

1701 through 1734 of this title; provided, that all public property

damaged in carrying out the powers granted by Sections 1701 through

1734 of this title shall be restored or repaired and placed in its

original condition as nearly as practicable.

(j) To designate, except as is provided for herein, the

location, and establish, limit and control such points of ingress to

and egress from each turnpike project as may be necessary or

desirable in the judgment of the Authority to insure the proper

operation and maintenance of such project, and to prohibit entrance

to such project from any point or points not so designated.

(k) To make and enter into all contracts and agreements

necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the

execution of its powers, and to employ consulting engineers,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 316

attorneys, accountants, construction and financial experts,

superintendents, managers, and such other employees and agents as

may be necessary in its judgment, and to fix their compensation;

provided, that all such expenses shall be payable solely from the

proceeds of turnpike revenue bonds issued under the provisions of

Sections 1701 through 1734 of this title or from revenues; provided,

further, no attorney employed by the Authority, nor any member of

any law firm of which the attorney may be connected, shall ever be

paid any fee or compensation for any special or extraordinary

services.
hat all such expenses shall be payable solely from the

proceeds of turnpike revenue bonds issued under the provisions of

Sections 1701 through 1734 of this title or from revenues; provided,

further, no attorney employed by the Authority, nor any member of

any law firm of which the attorney may be connected, shall ever be

paid any fee or compensation for any special or extraordinary

services.

(l) To receive and accept from any federal agency grants for or

in aid of the construction of any turnpike project, provided, the

acceptance of such grants will not reduce the amount of federal aid

for the construction, repair, or maintenance of farm-to-market roads

and other highways and bridges in this state; and to receive and

accept aid or contributions from any source of either money,

property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and

applied only for the purposes for which such grants and

contributions may be made.

(m) To adopt such rules, and to do any and all things necessary

to comply with rules, regulations, or requirements of the Bureau of

Public Roads, Multistate Economic Development Regional Commission,

as defined in Sections 1151 through 1153, inclusive, of Title 74 of

the Oklahoma Statutes, Ozarka Region Commission or any other federal

agency administering any law enacted by the Congress of the United

States to aid or encourage the construction of highways.

(n) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the

powers expressly granted in Sections 1701 through 1734 of this

title. The design standards for all paving shall comply with the

design standards of the American Association of State Highway and

Transportation Officials as modified by the Oklahoma Department of

Transportation. All contracts for construction work on turnpike

projects shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, or bidders,

after notice by publication in a newspaper published in the county

where the work is to be done in two consecutive weekly issues of the

newspaper. In all cases where more than eight (8) miles of

construction is let at the same time and is not an advertisement for

a surface-treatment-only project, such advertisement shall provide

for bids on sections of the turnpike not to exceed eight (8) miles.

If the project advertised is a surface-treatment-only project of

more than twenty (20) miles of road, the advertisement shall provide

for bids on sections of the road no longer than twenty (20) miles,

as well as bids on the project as a whole. Subject to the following

restrictions and limitations, the Authority shall, when contracting

for construction work, divide such work into paving projects, bridge

projects, including underpasses and overpasses, and earthmoving or

miscellaneous projects, according to the type of work to be done.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 317

Each project shall be let under a separate contract or contracts and

no contract or project shall include more than one of such types of

construction work. Each contract for construction work shall

contain a provision that ninety percent (90%) of all labor employed

on the project shall be residents of Oklahoma. However, contracts

for bridges may include earthwork and structures for the approaches

thereto.
hall be let under a separate contract or contracts and

no contract or project shall include more than one of such types of

construction work. Each contract for construction work shall

contain a provision that ninety percent (90%) of all labor employed

on the project shall be residents of Oklahoma. However, contracts

for bridges may include earthwork and structures for the approaches

thereto.

(o) It shall be unlawful for any member, officer or employee of

the Authority to transact with the Authority, either directly or

indirectly, any business for profit of such member, officer, or

employee; and any person, firm, or corporation knowingly

participating therein shall be equally liable for violation of this

provision.

The term "business for profit" shall include, but not be limited

to, the acceptance or payment of any fee, commission, gift, or

consideration to such member, officer, or employee.

Violation of this provision shall constitute a Class D1 felony

offense punishable by incarceration as provided for in subsections B

through F of Section 20N of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or a

fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and not more

than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such imprisonment

and fine.

(p) In the event of a national emergency, the Authority,

subject to any vested rights or claims, may enter into contracts

with the federal government or any authorized agency thereof to

allow the federal government or agency thereof to use such turnpikes

partly or exclusively during the existence of such emergency,

provided, that the federal government agrees in such contract to

pay, during the term of such contract, an amount sufficient, when

added to any tolls collected, to meet all operating and maintenance

expenses, interest payments, and the minimum sinking fund and

reserve requirements of the trust agreement for the turnpike covered

by the contract.

(q) All meetings of the Authority shall be open public

meetings, and all records shall be public records, except when

considering personnel or litigation.