I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike speed limit increases to 80 mph Thursday between Chickasha and Lawton

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority maintenance crews installed new signage Thursday raising the speed limit to 80 mph along a 59-mile portion of the I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike between Chickasha and Lawton in Comanche, Caddo and Grady counties.

This increase from 75 mph to 80 mph was approved in April 2023 by OTA's Board. The I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike is 86.4 miles long extending between Oklahoma City to US-70 near Wichita Falls and sees an average daily traffic count of 23,164 vehicles per day. The section of the I-44/H.E. Bailey between Newcastle and Chickasha was signed for 80 mph in summer 2020. The section of the I-44/H.E. Bailey between Lawton and the Texas state line will remain posted at 75 mph at this time.

"We want to remind motorists to always drive for conditions as the posted, black and white speed limit signage designates the top speed safe to travel during good conditions. If inclement weather strikes, motorists are cautioned to slow down and drive at the speed safest for conditions at the time," OTA Deputy Director T.J. Dill said.

OTA invested $34 million in H.E. Bailey Turnpike improvements in the past two years with capital improvement projects.

While motorists may drive up to 80 mph in this section now, there are two work zones with reduced speed limits expected to start this summer between Fletcher and Newcastle:

A nearly $9 million shoulder and guardrail reconstruction project between just northwest of SH-92 to just northwest of the H.E. Bailey Spur/SH-4 southeast of Newcastle is expected to start by late summer 2024.

A $9.2 million shoulder and guardrail reconstruction project between County Rd. 2700 to Pikes Peak Rd. (mm 62-78) south of Chickasha is expected to begin in mid-summer 2024.

Future projects include pavement reconstruction, shoulder and guardrail reconstruction and more totaling an estimated $81 million in 2024-2028 of OTA’s capital projects plan.