• Construction of a new diverging diamond interchange will connect I-44, SH-37 and the westernmost edge of the future Toby Keith Expressway.
• The project will be completed in three phases. The phase 1 investment is $75.3 million.
As part of this project, construction will begin on the Toby Keith Expressway starting at I-44 and working east toward the Canadian River bridges.
• The new Toby Keith Expressway will include two lanes in each direction separated by a median.
• The South Canadian River bridges are already under construction as part of a separate ACCESS Oklahoma project.
• OTA will oversee construction of the interchange connecting I-44, SH-37 and the Toby Keith Expressway, but only the Toby Keith Expressway will be tolled.
• This interchange is the sixth Toby Keith Expressway construction project to be awarded to contract.
• The project includes realignment of the two-way frontage roads on both sides of I-44 between 24th Street and the 36th Street overpass.
• At NW 24th Street, an eastbound off-ramp and a westbound on-ramp to the I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike will be added, providing increased access and connectivity for the community of Newcastle.
• The construction contract for phase 1 was awarded at the July 2026 OTA board meeting to Allen Contracting Inc. and Shell Construction Co. Inc.
• Weather permitting, construction on phase 1 will begin in late summer or early fall 2026 and be complete in late 2028. Phase 2 is expected to begin after Phase 1 is complete.
• The Toby Keith Expressway between I-44 and I-35 is expected to open at least two lanes to traffic in late 2027.
• Prior to completion of the interchange, motorists on I-44 will be able to use service roads to access Toby Keith Expressway.
