OTA Names New Turnpike Section After Toby Keith

The late country star once sued to stop the contentious Moore-Norman turnpike project.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has decided to name a new section of the controversial Moore-Norman turnpike after the late country music star Toby Keith, despite the fact that Keith once sued to try to stop the turnpike project.

Why it matters

The decision to name the turnpike section after Keith has sparked some mild controversy, as the turnpike project has long been a point of contention in the local community. Keith's previous legal action against the project adds an additional layer of complexity to the naming decision.

The details

The OTA announced that it will be naming a new section of the Moore-Norman turnpike after Toby Keith, the popular country music artist who passed away in 2023. This decision comes despite the fact that Keith had previously sued in an attempt to block the turnpike project, which has been a source of controversy in the local area for years.

  • The OTA announced the naming decision this week.

The players

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA)

The state agency responsible for the construction and operation of Oklahoma's turnpike system.

Toby Keith

A late country music star who was known for hits like "Should've Been a Cowboy" and "I Wanna Talk About Me". He previously sued to try to stop the Moore-Norman turnpike project.

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The takeaway

The decision to name a turnpike section after Toby Keith, despite his previous legal action against the project, highlights the complex and sometimes controversial nature of infrastructure development in local communities.