Work Begins on Widening John Kilpatrick Turnpike in North OKC

The $23 million project will add a lane in each direction and widen bridges over SH-3/NW Expressway.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 23, 2026, to widen the John Kilpatrick Turnpike in north Oklahoma City. The turnpike will be expanded from four to six lanes between W. Wilshire Blvd. (mile marker 116) and just north of N.W. 122nd St. (mile marker 120). The project also includes widening the turnpike bridges over SH-3/N.W. Expressway.

Why it matters

The widening project is part of the ACCESS Oklahoma long-range plan to improve the state's turnpike system. The John Kilpatrick Turnpike is one of the busiest in Oklahoma, with more than 76,000 vehicles per day on average, and has seen fast-growing traffic counts.

The details

The $23 million contract was awarded to Duit Construction Co. Inc. by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Board in December. The project will add a 12-foot driving lane, an 11-foot shoulder, and a new median barrier wall. Traffic will be shifted and lanes narrowed during construction, but the turnpike will remain open with two eastbound and two westbound lanes. The bridges over SH-3/N.W. Expressway will also be widened to six lanes. Some short-term night closures of SH-3/N.W. Expressway are expected later in the spring for bridge beam work.

  • Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 23, 2026.
  • Northwest and southeast SH-3/N.W. Expressway will be narrowed to one lane in each direction between County Line Rd. and Morgan Rd. on Monday, February 23 and Tuesday, February 24 to set up the work zone.
  • Lanes on SH-3/N.W. Expressway will be narrowed again in each direction from March 2 through late spring 2026 for bridge work above the highway.
  • The project is expected to be completed in spring 2027, weather permitting.

The players

Duit Construction Co. Inc.

The construction company awarded the $23 million contract by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Board to carry out the widening project.

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

The state agency overseeing the widening project as part of the ACCESS Oklahoma long-range plan to improve the state's turnpike system.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This project is a key part of Oklahoma's efforts to expand and modernize its turnpike network to accommodate growing traffic volumes, especially on the busy John Kilpatrick Turnpike corridor in north Oklahoma City.