Holiday Travelers Should Plan On Turnpike Delays

There is a prediction of turnpike travel trouble for the next couple of days. The <a href="http://www.pikepass.com" target="_blank">Oklahoma Turnpike Authority </a>is warning of backups that could delay

Tuesday, November 20th 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

There is a prediction of turnpike travel trouble for the next couple of days. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is warning of backups that could delay travelers by several hours. The News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports there is likely to be a rush hour Wednesday afternoon as people leave for the holiday. While some delays are expected, the turnpike authority expects the delays will be much worse Sunday afternoon.

Over the turnpike and through the gates, to grandmother's house we will go. But the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority warns motorists might be late and stuck at the toll gate.

â€œPeople will see a back up between Vinita and Big Cabin, it could be an hour or two wait if they decide to travel in the afternoon,â€ said Jack Damrill with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

Last year, the traffic was terrible at Thanksgiving, backed up for miles around the gates. This year, the highway patrol and the turnpike authority warn that it won't be any better. And, it could be worse.

â€œMake sure they have the change, know what lane to go through, make sure they have the Pikepass. That's going to make things safer and smoother,â€ said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Antonio Porter.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is predicting congestion on the Turner Turnpike between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, especially around the toll gate at Stroud and a bridge project that has traffic down to one lane each way.

On the Will Rogers Turnpike, the problems are expected to be worse, especially Sunday at the toll booth and through construction work the length of the turnpike.

â€œSunday we expect traffic to back up on the Will Rogers about 2 oâ€™clock in the afternoon and it should last through the afternoon to 7 or 8 at night, so that's why we encourage people to either head home earlier Sunday or wait until after 8 p.m. to avoid those big delays on the turnpike,â€ said the authorityâ€™s Jack Damrill.

Visit www.pikepass.com for more information.

Watch the video: Turnpike Travel Trouble