Oklahoma has a great story to share about its sustainable, user-fee-based approach to construct and maintain turnpike infrastructure that supports and connects seamlessly with the tax-funded state highway system.
The Oklahoma Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency’s report released Thursday captures the choices made by Oklahoma leaders more than 70 years ago when faced with the difficult question of how to fund construction and operations of the state’s highway infrastructure. The report also provides options for lawmakers to consider going forward for how to continue funding Oklahoma’s highway and turnpike system.
Whether the cost to build, operate, and maintain the turnpike network should be transitioned to the state highway system paid for solely by Oklahoma taxpayers, or maintained as originally envisioned, presents the Legislature with important policy considerations for the future. LOFT’s findings will help inform conversations among state legislators as they consider needs, costs and the best use of taxpayer funding for transportation.
Among the benefits of the turnpike system are
- About 50 percent of toll revenue is paid by out-of-state travelers, meaning turnpikes put less burden on the state’s taxpayers to maintain necessary infrastructure.
- The sale of bonds to fund construction and upgrades of the turnpike system is not a debt of the state.
- The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is not for profit and does not use appropriated state tax dollars.
- Toll revenue paid only by users of the system is used to support the ongoing operation and maintenance of the 630-mile turnpike network.
We encourage Oklahomans to read the LOFT report for a clear understanding of how OTA operates, funds and maintains the state’s turnpike system. Oklahoma Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency