H. E. Bailey Turnpike
Encyclopedia
The H. E. Bailey Turnpike is a 86.4 miles (139 km) toll road
in southwestern region
of the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
. The route, opened on April 23, 1964, is a four-lane limited access highway that connects Oklahoma City
to Lawton
in its northern section and Lawton to Wichita Falls
along its southern section. The turnpike also include a 8.2 miles (13.2 km) spur route
that leads toward Norman, Oklahoma
. Since 1982, it has been signed as a part of Interstate 44. Travel along the full length of the toll road costs $4.75 for a two-axle vehicle.
to Lawton
before turning northeast toward Oklahoma City
. The turnpike's 25 miles (40.2 km) southern section begins at US-70, 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the Texas
state line. The turnpike becomes toll free when it arrives in Lawton at State Highway 36. After leaving the Lawton/Fort Sill area it once again become a toll road after the US-62, US-277 interchange 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Lawton. The northern 61.4 miles (98.8 km) section of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike continues toward Chickasha and ends at the interchange of US-62 north of Newcastle
where it continues to Oklahoma City as a free highway.
Aside from the mainline, the turnpike also consists of a 8.2 miles (13.2 km) extension southwest of Newcastle
also referred to as the H. E. Bailey Norman Spur. It connects I-44 and SH-4 to SH-9 and provides a shorter route to Norman
when traveling from Lawton.
and Oklahoma City
started in 1953. The state highways between Oklahoma City and Lawton, were dangerously narrow, which included many 'cramped, death-trap' bridges. The route was not part of any federal interstate highway system plans, so only a turnpike was feasible. Oklahoma Senate Bill 454, which amended House Bill 933 that authorized creation of the Will Rogers Turnpike
, allowed creation of a southwest turnpike and a proposed turnpike connecting Oklahoma City toward Wichita, Kansas
, which later became Interstate 35
.
Both HB 933 and SB 454 were submitted as State Question 359 and 360 and passed on January 26, 1954. On July 1960, an economic feasibility study was completed for the H.E. Bailey Turnpike and on November 1961, $56 Million in bonds were issued for the turnpike's construction. The north section of the H. E. Bailey from southwest Oklahoma City to north Lawton was completed on March 1, 1964. The south section from south Lawton to the Texas border was completed on April 23, 1964.
In 1982, as part of the Oklahoma's 75th statehood "Diamond Jubilee" celebrations, I-44 was signed through Oklahoma City to the Red River encompassing the turnpike. On October 19, 2001, the H. E. Bailey Norman Spur connecting I-44 to State Highway 9 was opened.
The route's namesake, H.E. Bailey, served as the city manager of Oklahoma City from 1941 to 1944, and later as the director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
.
Full toll plazas on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike are located near the intersection with the H.E. Bailey Norman Spur, southwest of Chickasha, and under the overpass at SH-5 (Walters exit). Unattended ramp toll plazas are located at US-62 (Chickasha/Anadarko exit - northbound exit and southbound entrance only), US-277 (Elgin/Fletcher exit - northbound exit and southbound entrance only) on the I-44 portion of the turnpike and at SH-76 (Blanchard/Tuttle) on the Norman Spur.
Troop YC, a special troop assigned to the turnpike.
The turnpike has two service areas with both located in the median of the highway. The Walters Service Area is located north of exit number 20. The Chickasha Service Area is located north of exit number 83. Both service areas offer food, gas, and a convenience store.
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
in southwestern region
Southwestern Oklahoma
Southwest Oklahoma is a geographical name for the southwest portion of the state of Oklahoma, typically considered to be south of the Canadian River, extending eastward from the Texas border to a line roughly from Weatherford, to Anadarko, to Duncan...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. The route, opened on April 23, 1964, is a four-lane limited access highway that connects Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
to Lawton
Lawton, Oklahoma
The city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in its northern section and Lawton to Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States, United States. Wichita Falls is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay and Wichita counties. According to the U.S. Census estimate of 2010,...
along its southern section. The turnpike also include a 8.2 miles (13.2 km) spur route
Spur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
that leads toward Norman, Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the...
. Since 1982, it has been signed as a part of Interstate 44. Travel along the full length of the toll road costs $4.75 for a two-axle vehicle.
Route description
The H. E. Bailey Turnpike takes a generally south to north route from Wichita FallsWichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States, United States. Wichita Falls is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay and Wichita counties. According to the U.S. Census estimate of 2010,...
to Lawton
Lawton, Oklahoma
The city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
before turning northeast toward Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. The turnpike's 25 miles (40.2 km) southern section begins at US-70, 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
state line. The turnpike becomes toll free when it arrives in Lawton at State Highway 36. After leaving the Lawton/Fort Sill area it once again become a toll road after the US-62, US-277 interchange 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Lawton. The northern 61.4 miles (98.8 km) section of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike continues toward Chickasha and ends at the interchange of US-62 north of Newcastle
Newcastle, Oklahoma
Newcastle is the largest city in McClain County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 7,685 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Newcastle is located at ....
where it continues to Oklahoma City as a free highway.
Aside from the mainline, the turnpike also consists of a 8.2 miles (13.2 km) extension southwest of Newcastle
Newcastle, Oklahoma
Newcastle is the largest city in McClain County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 7,685 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Newcastle is located at ....
also referred to as the H. E. Bailey Norman Spur. It connects I-44 and SH-4 to SH-9 and provides a shorter route to Norman
Norman, Oklahoma
Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the...
when traveling from Lawton.
History
Ideas for connecting LawtonLawton, Oklahoma
The city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
started in 1953. The state highways between Oklahoma City and Lawton, were dangerously narrow, which included many 'cramped, death-trap' bridges. The route was not part of any federal interstate highway system plans, so only a turnpike was feasible. Oklahoma Senate Bill 454, which amended House Bill 933 that authorized creation of the Will Rogers Turnpike
Will Rogers Turnpike
The Will Rogers Turnpike is a toll road in northeast Oklahoma that runs from Tulsa, Oklahoma to the Missouri state line. It is long and costs $4.00 to drive one way...
, allowed creation of a southwest turnpike and a proposed turnpike connecting Oklahoma City toward Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, which later became Interstate 35
Interstate 35 in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is the second state that Interstate 35 passes through from south to north. In Oklahoma, I-35 runs from the Red River at the Texas border to the Kansas line near Braman, for a length of 236 miles . I-35 has one spur route in the state, Interstate 235 in the inner city of Oklahoma...
.
Both HB 933 and SB 454 were submitted as State Question 359 and 360 and passed on January 26, 1954. On July 1960, an economic feasibility study was completed for the H.E. Bailey Turnpike and on November 1961, $56 Million in bonds were issued for the turnpike's construction. The north section of the H. E. Bailey from southwest Oklahoma City to north Lawton was completed on March 1, 1964. The south section from south Lawton to the Texas border was completed on April 23, 1964.
In 1982, as part of the Oklahoma's 75th statehood "Diamond Jubilee" celebrations, I-44 was signed through Oklahoma City to the Red River encompassing the turnpike. On October 19, 2001, the H. E. Bailey Norman Spur connecting I-44 to State Highway 9 was opened.
The route's namesake, H.E. Bailey, served as the city manager of Oklahoma City from 1941 to 1944, and later as the director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Oklahoma Department of Transportation
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for the construction, maintenance, and regulation the use of the state's transportation infrastructure...
.
Tolls
A two-axle vehicle currently pays $4.75 ($4.45 with Pikepass) to drive the full length of the Turnpike and an additional $0.55 ($0.50 with Pikepass) to drive the Norman Spur.Full toll plazas on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike are located near the intersection with the H.E. Bailey Norman Spur, southwest of Chickasha, and under the overpass at SH-5 (Walters exit). Unattended ramp toll plazas are located at US-62 (Chickasha/Anadarko exit - northbound exit and southbound entrance only), US-277 (Elgin/Fletcher exit - northbound exit and southbound entrance only) on the I-44 portion of the turnpike and at SH-76 (Blanchard/Tuttle) on the Norman Spur.
Services
Law enforcement along the H. E. Bailey Turnpike is provided by Oklahoma Highway PatrolOklahoma Highway Patrol
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is a major state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. It is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was legislatively created in 1937 due to the growing problem of motor vehicle accidents, the expansion of a...
Troop YC, a special troop assigned to the turnpike.
The turnpike has two service areas with both located in the median of the highway. The Walters Service Area is located north of exit number 20. The Chickasha Service Area is located north of exit number 83. Both service areas offer food, gas, and a convenience store.
Mainline
| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton Cotton County, Oklahoma Cotton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 6,614. Its county seat is Walters.When Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907, the area which is now Cotton County fell within the boundaries of Comanche County... |
|||||
| 5 | Last free exit eastbound; Start/end of H.E. Bailey Turnpike | ||||
| Walters Walters, Oklahoma Walters is a city in Cotton County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,657 at the 2000 census. The city, nestled in between twin creeks, is the county seat of Cotton County... |
20 | Toll Plaza under SH5 overpass | |||
| Comanche Comanche County, Oklahoma Comanche County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Built on former reservation lands of the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache in Indian Territory, Comanche County was open for settlement on August 16, 1901 by lottery. The region has three cities and seven towns as well as the Fort Sill... |
30 | Last free exit westbound; West end of US-277/US-281/SH-36 overlap. | |||
| Lawton Lawton, Oklahoma The city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
33 | ||||
| 36A | |||||
| 36B | Lee Boulevard | ||||
| 37 | Gore Boulevard | ||||
| 39A | Cache Road | ||||
| 39B | |||||
| 40A | Rogers Lane | ||||
| 40B | West end of US-62 overlap. | ||||
| Fort Sill Fort Sill Fort Sill is a United States Army post near Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.Today, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars... |
41 | Key Gate | |||
| 45 | |||||
| 53 | Last free exit eastbound; East end of US-62/US-277/US-281 overlap. | ||||
| 62 | Fletcher Fletcher, Oklahoma Fletcher is a town in Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,177 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Lawton, Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Fletcher is located at .... , Cyril Cyril, Oklahoma Cyril is a town in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,168 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cyril is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.... , Sterling Sterling, Oklahoma Sterling is a town in Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 793 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lawton Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Sterling is located at .... |
Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | |||
| Grady Grady County, Oklahoma Grady County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2006, the population was 50,490. Its county seat is Chickasha.Grady County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... |
Toll plaza | ||||
| Chickasha Chickasha, Oklahoma Chickasha is a city in and the county seat, business and employment center of Grady County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 15,850 at the 2000 census. Chickasha is home to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and hosts an annual Festival of Light celebration located at... |
80 | ||||
| 83 | |||||
| Toll plaza | |||||
| 99A | H.E. Bailey Turnpike Spur – Blanchard Blanchard, Oklahoma Blanchard is a city in Grady and McClain counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 7,670 at the 2010 census. Blanchard is part of a rapidly growing area of northern McClain and Grady Counties known as the "Tri-City Area" with Newcastle and Tuttle.-Early history:Blanchard is... , Norman Norman, Oklahoma Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the... |
||||
| 99B | |||||
| McClain McClain County, Oklahoma McClain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 27,740 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Purcell. McClain County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is in the top 3 fastest growing counties in Oklahoma with a growth rate of... |
|||||
| Newcastle Newcastle, Oklahoma Newcastle is the largest city in McClain County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 7,685 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Newcastle is located at .... |
107 | Last free exit westbound; Start/end of H.E. Bailey Turnpike | |||
H. E. Bailey Norman Spur
| County | Location | Mile | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grady Grady County, Oklahoma Grady County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2006, the population was 50,490. Its county seat is Chickasha.Grady County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... |
Turnpike mainline becomes SH-4 | |||
| 0.0 | ||||
| Toll plaza | ||||
| McClain McClain County, Oklahoma McClain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 27,740 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Purcell. McClain County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is in the top 3 fastest growing counties in Oklahoma with a growth rate of... |
3.7 | |||
| 4.1 | ||||
| Turnpike mainline becomes SH-9 | ||||