State, federal leaders break ground on Toby Keith Expressway interchange at I-44 in Newcastle

Gov. Kevin Stitt, U.S. Sen. James Lankford and state and local leaders broke ground Thursday in Newcastle on a new interchange that will connect I-44, US-62 and SH-37 with the future Toby Keith Expressway. The groundbreaking marks the start of the final phase of the Oklahoma City outer loop, a goal the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has been committed to since 1989.

“This loop is something that I’ve been talking to (Transportation Sec. Tim) Gatz about since I first got here,” Stitt said. “If you look at Dallas and Houston and the growth, this infrastructure is so important for us to be a Top 10 state. So, I’ve been pushing them from the beginning to think bigger, think bigger, think bigger. It's going to do amazing things to connect our city.”

The interchange is the western end of the 28-mile future Toby Keith Expressway. When all three of the interchange’s construction phases are complete, the site will be a four-level interchange that lets drivers move in every direction between I-44, the expressway, US-62 and SH-37. Plans include ramps connecting I-44 to the expressway and a diverging diamond interchange connecting I-44 to SH-37. Northeast of the interchange, the expressway will cross the South Canadian River floodplain on twin bridges about 7,000 feet long before continuing east to I-35. About $1 billion in construction is now underway on the 6.5-mile section between I-44 and I-35.

Lankford pointed to how transportation has shaped Newcastle, from the steel truss bridge built across the South Canadian River in 1927 to the arrival of I-44 in 1964, when fewer than 1,000 people lived there.

“In many ways, that bridge put Newcastle on the map,” Lankford said. He said the area has grown because of its roads and connections, and the Toby Keith Expressway will be the next connection, linking the community to new people and new opportunities.

The new route adds a needed crossing of the South Canadian River for one of Oklahoma’s fastest-growing areas and will improve connections between Newcastle, Blanchard and Tuttle and the rest of the Oklahoma City metro. Drivers on I-44 will have direct access to the Toby Keith Expressway, which will connect them to I-35 and, eventually, to I-40 and the Kickapoo Turnpike in eastern Oklahoma County.

“Today, it’s about more than just one interchange,” said Tim Gatz, Oklahoma secretary of transportation and executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). “Projects like this are not isolated investments. They’re pieces of a much larger transportation network, and every connection brings us closer to a system that supports Oklahoma’s continued growth and economic opportunities.

“We have got to continue to invest in the network that brings us safety, security, economic opportunity and growth for future generations, and this puts an exclamation point on it.”

Gatz, who emceed Thursday’s program, recently announced his retirement after 37 years of service. Stitt thanked Gatz, who has led ODOT for all eight of Stitt’s years as governor.

“You are really going to be missed,” Stitt said. “You have been an awesome, awesome ambassador for Oklahoma, but also for transportation, and been a great advisor, and you made a great impact on our state.”

Construction on the western half of the Toby Keith Expressway began earlier this year, and this interchange is one of nine projects now underway on the corridor. OTA plans to open one side of the expressway first, in late 2027 or early 2028, with two-way traffic. The other side will open six to eight months later, creating a four-lane divided road. Work on later phases will continue afterward at the I-35 interchange.

OTA plans to keep all I-44 lanes open during peak travel periods. Lane closures, including brief 10- to 15-minute full closures to set bridge beams, will happen overnight.

“It’s going to really change how this area connects to the rest of the state, to the Oklahoma City metro area, and how the rest of the state can connect to this area,” OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle said. “It’s going to allow traffic to get around the Oklahoma City metro area if they’re just not destined for downtown, and it’s going to help relieve some congestion on I-35, on I-44 and on I-40.”

Newcastle Mayor Karl Nail said the city has wanted a river crossing for generations. Today, the nearest river crossings are about 12 miles away in each direction, and when the I-44 bridge has been closed, Newcastle has been “kind of on an island,” he said. The new connection comes as the Chickasaw Nation builds a new health facility in Newcastle that Nail said will employ about 6,000 people at full build-out.

“When you have that type of investment in a community of our size, coupled with the investment of the turnpike and the new access, it’s transformational for the community," Nail said. “For this turnpike coming along, it couldn’t have come along at a better time in the life of Newcastle.”

OTA worked with the city on bridge and abutment aesthetics that honor Newcastle, along with a distinct look for the full corridor. The Oklahoma Legislature passed a resolution naming the expressway for Oklahoma native and country music star Toby Keith, and members of his family attended Thursday’s event.

“I’m super proud to be delivering a key piece of infrastructure in our state and finish the loop around Oklahoma City,” Echelle said. “All we’re trying to offer is a safe and efficient choice for your travel here in Oklahoma.”

State and local dignitaries including Gov. J. Kevin Stitt, U.S. Sen. James Lankford, Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz, OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle and Newcastle Mayor Karl Nail participated in a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning in Newcastle for the first phase of the I-44 and Toby Keith Expressway interchange project.