Oklahoma Turnpike Tolls Going Up In August

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- With revenue down, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has approved raising the cost of traveling on Oklahoma's 10 turnpikes.

It's the first rate increase in more than 8 years. The tolls will rise, on average, by 16%.

Jack Damrill, spokesman for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, tells the News On 6 tolls needed to be raised to help with maintenance.

"We still think we have the best roads in the state, and in order to maintain them, it looks like a toll increase is what needs to happen," said Jack Damrill, spokesman for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

The increase was needed due in part to a $21 million shortfall being experienced by the Authority, caused by a decline in travel and commercial truck traffic.

The 16 percent increase is the first since 2001.

The rates take effect on August 4.

If no new turnpikes are built, they'll all become free in 2028.

See a full list of the new turnpike rates throughout Oklahoma.