WPBN: Oklahoma commuters are furious over a large toll hike that will go into effect in the new year. Drivers, who will soon pay extra to utilize the state’s turnpike system, are irate over the hike.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) authorities have clarified that the toll increase is required to finance future infrastructure projects, despite the fact that many locals are unhappy about the added financial strain.
All Oklahoma turnpike tolls will increase by 15% beginning in January.
The ACCESS Oklahoma Turnpike Plan, a significant infrastructure initiative aiming at enhancing and growing the state’s turnpike system, is supposed to be supported by the extra funds. The project’s original budget of $5 billion has suddenly skyrocketed to $8 billion, necessitating higher tolls to offset the rising costs.
The state as a whole will be affected by the toll hike. For instance, the toll for drivers traveling the Turner Turnpike, which links Oklahoma City and Tulsa, will increase from $4.50 to $5.40.
The Will Rogers Turnpike, which connects State Highway 266 to the Oklahoma state line, will also see a toll increase from $4.10 to $4.92. The toll on the Muskogee Turnpike, which connects Tulsa and I-40, will go up from $3.30 to $3.80.
The new law would also raise these fees, so drivers who use Oklahoma’s cashless tolling system, PlatePay, will not be spared from the hikes. With PlatePay, drivers can drive past toll plazas without stopping, and they will either receive an invoice in the mail or have the toll amounts charged straight to their account.
The fact that toll charges are expected to be going up in the upcoming years only serves to aggravate many travelers. Starting in 2025, tolls will automatically rise by 6% every two years under the existing plan. As a result, drivers should anticipate paying much more by 2027, further burdening those who depend on the turnpike system for everyday transportation.
Residents of Oklahoma who frequently utilize the turnpikes have been especially enraged by the toll increase.
Many commuters have expressed their dissatisfaction and worry about the growing expenses, claiming that people who depend on these highways for their livelihoods will be disproportionately impacted. The hike is a substantial additional cost for drivers who frequently use numerous turnpikes or travel long distances.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has defended the toll increase in spite of the criticism, highlighting the significance of the ACCESS Oklahoma Turnpike Plan.
To increase efficiency and safety, the $8 billion plan calls for building new routes, enlarging current roadways, and putting new technology into place. OTA authorities claim that these upgrades are required to meet the state’s increasing traffic demands and population.
Many locals are struggling to bear the immediate financial load, even if others may recognize the long-term advantages of improved infrastructure. The dispute draws attention to the continuous conflict between financing significant public projects and the financial impact on regular citizens as the new toll prices draw near.
“It’s very expensive because I use it every single day,” Lakesha Johnson stated to a local news outlet.
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“I do a lot of business in Tulsa, and it’s raising my cost of living by a lot.”
Caydan Griffin, another driver, thought that highway officials ought to get enough tax revenue to support their initiatives. Additionally, another driver in the state, Lakesha Johnson, was left requesting an explanation for why she pays at all.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, on the other hand, stuck to its strategy and is eager to upgrade the state of the roads.
“This plan is designed to address significant transportation needs on our existing turn-pike system while also helping solve congestion issues on the I-35 corridor,” spokesperson Wendy Smith stated.
To increase their revenue, other states are doing the same. Nowadays, cars in New York City must pay $9 each time they pass through some of the busiest roadways in the city.
