OKLAHOMA CITY ( KFOR ) — The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is blaming inflation after announcing this week its ongoing 15-year Access Oklahoma Project will cost $8.2 billion rather than the $5 billion initially projected.
The project was announced in 2022, aimed at improving the state’s turnpike network. The agency’s goal during the process has been to make those updates while maintaining low tell rates.
“This new estimate factors in 60 percent inflation in material and labor costs since the program’s announcement in December 2021 and anticipates future inflation,” said OTA Executive Director, Joe Echelle.
Echelle said every single line item in the plan has increased in cost that is also being fueled by workforce shortages. News 4 sent over some questions to Echelle in response to the announcement:
Q: Does OTA have plans to reduce the number of projects in the ACCESS Oklahoma program or will things proceed as normal?
A: No, there will not be a reduction in projects at this time. In fact, three projects are being added to the 15-year long-range plan. OTA has no intention of removing projects as they are all necessary and needed.