Oklahoma Turnpike Authority maintenance crews installed new signage today raising the speed limit along the US-412/Cimarron Turnpike to 80 mph.
This increase from 75 mph to 80 mph was approved in April 2023 by OTA's Board. The US-412/Cimarron Turnpike is nearly 68 miles long between I-35/US-64 east of Enid and Tulsa with a spur that connects to Stillwater and sees an average daily traffic count of just under 10,000 vehicles per day.
"Raising the speed limit to 80 mph was made possible after a statewide speed limit study, converting to cashless tolling, adding cable barrier and pavement improvements along the Cimarron Turnpike," OTA Chief Engineer T.J. Dill said. "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 invested $38 million in Cimarron Turnpike improvements in the past two years with capital improvement projects ongoing and more scheduled in the capital plan.
While motorists may drive up to 80 mph now, there are three work zones with reduced speed limits along the Cimarron Turnpike:
Eastbound and westbound US-412/Cimarron Turnpike are narrowed to one lane in each direction at US-64 (mm 22) near Morrison in Noble County for bridge rehabilitation and cable barrier installation through late summer 2024. This $10 million project is under contract with Frontier Bridge Inc.
US-412/Cimarron Turnpike is narrowed to one lane in each direction at over Oak Creek at mm 33 between Glencoe and SH-18 for a bridge rehabilitation project scheduled to complete in fall 2024.
This spring, eastbound and westbound US-412/Cimarron Turnpike will be narrowed to one lane in each direction just east of SH-99 (mm 49) near Hallett in Pawnee County for bridge rehabilitation. The $3 million project awarded to Haskell Lemon Construction Co. is expected to complete in summer 2024.
Future projects include pavement reconstruction, shoulder and guardrail reconstruction and additional bridge rehabilitation projects totaling an estimated $42.5 million in years 2025-2028.