The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority unanimously voted to condemn properties along the path of the East-West Connector if negotiations are not successful with property owners at its meeting on Tuesday.
Condemnation, or eminent domain, is an “action of last resort,” according to Lisa Shearer-Salim, OTA public information manager. She wrote the OTA is in active negotiations with property owners, including those discussed on Tuesday.
Eminent domain is the ability of government entities to seize private land for public use. According to Oklahoma law, the OTA has authorization to condemn or purchase properties.
“At this point, OTA is working with property owners and is in various stages of negotiations,” Shearer-Salim wrote. “If the two parties cannot come to an agreement, then OTA will begin condemnation proceedings.”
Shearer-Salim wrote the OTA provides a fair market value amount to property owners, adding negotiations may take over several months. The OTA uses a third-party appraiser to evaluate each property’s fair market value, which is then reviewed by another third-party appraiser, according to Shearer-Salim.
At its current point in the design phase, Shearer-Salim wrote the OTA expects to purchase a total of 40 properties, of which four properties include homes. She added it has already acquired 19 properties.
According to the Norman Transcript, Todd Gore, transportation manager for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, said during the meeting that the OTA secures most properties through negotiated agreements. Gore said none of the properties discussed during the meeting have houses.
Shearer-Salim wrote the first segment of the East-West Connector between Interstate 44 and Interstate 35 is in the design phase and is expected to complete construction by the end of 2027.
“Design work is continuing for multiple phases of the East-West Connector. As each segment reaches approved 60 percent design, then right-of-way (property) acquisition will begin meaning OTA will begin reaching out to affected property owners,” Shearer-Salim wrote.
ACCESS Oklahoma is a 15-year, $8 billion plan to develop new turnpikes and expand existing highways across the state. The original project was approved by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in August 2023.
The East-West Connector, one of ACCESS Oklahoma’s proposed turnpikes, is planned to connect I-44 near Newcastle to Interstate 40 at the Kickapoo Turnpike across northern Norman.
On Aug. 27, Norman City Council unanimously rejected a resolution that would have allowed the OTA to construct turnpike facilities through “critical areas” of Norman, including the Lake Thunderbird watershed, the Canadian River Corridor and the city’s flood hazard areas. The staff report stated the OTA would “protect and preserve” these areas.
At the meeting, dozens of members of Oklahomans for Responsible Transportation and Pike Off OTA, a nonprofit designed to protest OTA expansion, filled the council chambers and wore red in protest.
On Oct. 15, council discussed a new resolution with the OTA at its special meeting. During the meeting, Rick Knighton, city attorney, said the OTA did not require a resolution to construct the East-West Connector through Norman, adding council’s rejection of ACCESS Oklahoma facilities in August did not prevent construction.
“The OTA has eminent domain powers granted to them by the state. … There isn’t anything we can do to stop that,” Knighton said.
On Oct. 22, council voted to postpone a resolution requesting the OTA construct facilities in Norman city limits along ACCESS Oklahoma’s East-West Connector. Council also approved to schedule a public hearing involving representatives of the OTA answering questions from Norman residents.
Over 100 residents filled the Norman City Council chamber in protest of the resolution.
On Oct. 24, the OTA announced it would move forward with its plans for the East-West Connector without the city’s input, declining the city’s request for a public hearing.
At the time, Shearer-Salim told OU Daily the resolutions rejected and postponed by council did not prevent the OTA from constructing the East-West Connector, citing the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s authorization of ACCESS Oklahoma in August 2023.
“The OTA has legal authority to build the turnpike. We don't need permission from the city of Norman,” Shearer-Salim said.
In January, Sen. Lisa Standridge (R-Norman), among other state lawmakers, proposed a series of bills aimed at the OTA.
Senate Bill 493 would modify a turnpike route originally planned to begin in the vicinity of Mustang and end in Norman. With the modification, the turnpike would start at the intersection of I-40 and the Kickapoo Turnpike east of Lake Thunderbird and end in Slaughterville. The bill would also prohibit any section of the turnpike from being constructed west of Lake Thunderbird.
Senate Bill 80 would require the OTA provide notice to all affected property owners prior to the proposal of a new turnpike or modification to an existing turnpike, including a brief summary of the turnpike and its map in “simple language;” the proposed action; the circumstances that created the need for a turnpike; legal authority; the intended effect of a turnpike; and information for individuals to gather copies of the turnpike and voice their opinions.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure.
OTA Access East-West Connector, South Extension preliminary design maps
An overview of the OTA Access projects in the Norman area as of January 2025. Yellow notes active design. Blue notes future plan.
Detail of the OTA Access East-West Connector in the Norman area as of January 2025. Yellow notes active design. Blue notes future plan.
Detail of the OTA Access East-West Connector in the Norman area as of January 2025. Yellow notes active design. Blue notes future plan.
Detail of the OTA Access East-West Connector in the Norman area as of January 2025. Yellow notes active design. Blue notes future plan.
Detail of the OTA Access South Extension in the Norman area as of January 2025. Yellow notes active design. Blue notes future plan.
Detail of the OTA Access South Extension in the Norman area as of January 2025. Yellow notes active design. Blue notes future plan.
Detail of the OTA Access South Extension in the Norman area as of January 2025. Yellow notes active design. Blue notes future plan.
Detail of the OTA Access South Extension in the Noble area as of January 2025. Yellow notes active design. Blue notes future plan.
Detail of the OTA Access South Extension in the Noble area as of January 2025. Yellow notes active design. Blue notes future plan.
