Construction is moving forward on Oklahoma’s longest bridge as OTA approves $97 million contract

Construction is officially underway on what will become Oklahoma’s longest bridge after the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) approved a major contract this week. At its Dec. 9 meeting, the OTA Board awarded a $97 million contract to Crossland Construction for the first major phase of the East-West Connector Turnpike, part of the agency’s $8.2 billion, 15-year ACCESS Oklahoma program.

The bridge will span the Canadian River and connect I-44 and I-35, creating a new east-west corridor between Portland and Pennsylvania avenues and improving travel between Newcastle, Moore, and Norman. OTA leaders called it a “critical path project” for regional growth, with construction expected to begin in early 2026 and finish by late 2027.

Crossland’s bid came in about 30% below the engineer’s estimate, delivering significant cost savings. OTA officials also emphasized that environmental protection is built into the design, with bridge piers placed outside the river channel and continuous monitoring planned to protect water quality and wildlife habitats.

Once completed, the bridge will stretch more than 1.25 miles, making it the longest in Oklahoma, at least for now. With contracts awarded and preparations moving forward, the project marks a major step toward reshaping transportation across central Oklahoma for decades ahead.

The board also approved condemnation actions for three vacant parcels needed for the project after negotiations stalled or title issues arose. Across the broader ACCESS Oklahoma initiative, OTA has completed 81 property acquisitions, approved 28 resolutions of necessity, and is preparing 13 cases for court filings.