Managed by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA), the John Kilpatrick Turnpike (JKT) is the most heavily traveled turnpike in Oklahoma and is a key component to Oklahoma City’s overall transportation plan. STV was contracted by OTA to prepare complete plans, specifications and estimates, as well as provide traffic, schematic and environmental services for the eight-mile widening of the (JKT) between MacArthur Boulevard and Eastern Avenue in Oklahoma City, taking the turnpike from two lanes to three lanes in each direction. The program included the design of eight miles of roadway; 10 bridge widenings; inspection and repair of 21 bridges, retaining walls, screen walls; and a complicated traffic control plan.
The team overcame several project complexities over the course of design and construction. One such solution involved the unique reconfiguration of the Lake Hefner Ramp over JKT. The team reconfigured a median bent to be orientated parallel to traffic along JKT. The bent configuration required combining a two-span steel unit and a single-span steel unit, a conversion that was a first for Oklahoma. Additionally, a BNSF Railroad overpass required complete reconstruction and a unique design due to the complexity of the traffic configuration below. During the program, construction phasing was required to maintain four lanes of traffic on JKT, as well as BNSF traffic, which consisted of about 30 trains per day.
STV’s scope was executed under a fast-track schedule of seven months – half the time initially contracted for the project. The team’s designs and project management saved more than $8 million from the initial project budget.
Following its completion, the project received a Grand Conceptor Award from the Oklahoma chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards and also received a National Recognition Award from ACEC national.
8 miles
roadway widening
7
months schedule
10
bridge widenings
