State, federal and local dignitaries take the first round at turning dirt to officially kick-off the Toby Keith Expressway I-44 Interchange project at Newcastle. The event took place at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 275 Snow Drive. They are from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, state, federal and city offices, and the Toby Keith Foundation.
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Groundbreaking on the Toby Keith Expressway
Newcastle Chamber of Commerce members took their turn turning dirt to help move the U.S. Interstate 44 Interchange ahead during the groundbreaking.Newcastle Mayor Karl Nail took to the podium to talk about the benefits of having a crossing on the South Canadian River, and the U.S. Interstate 44 interchange.Stelen Covel (in hat), the son of Toby Keith, and Toby Keith Foundation Director Juliet Nees-Bright were in attendance.City firefighters, police, emergency management, and parks department officials were at the groundbreaking.State Senator James Lankford explains the importance of the Toby Keith Expressway to the crowd gathered for the groundbreaking.City officials Todd D’Amico, Gene Reid, Mayor Karl Nail, City Manager Kevin Self, Marci White, and Assistant City Manager Jeannette McNally turn dirt on the interchange project.• photos by Scott Hannan and Mark CodnerGovernor Kevin Stitt was on hand for the groundbreaking and gave his thoughts on the importance of a loop around Oklahoma City.Councilman Gene Reid, Brooks Bank CEO John Gorton, and House District 20 Representative Jonathan Wilk were gathered.
