Turnpike opponents present argument to Oklahoma Supreme Court
A bond approval hearing at the Oklahoma Supreme Court Tuesday became the latest arena for opponents of a turnpike expansion project in Norman as the court's referee seemed open to the idea of removing a controversial "south extension" from the $500 million project.
“Can (the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority) carve it out of the bond approval?” asked Kyle Rogers, the referee who heard Tuesday's arguments and will make a recommendation to the justices.
Jered Davidson, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's attorney, said he didn't believe that was necessary but acknowledged it could be done.
“The turnpike authority is the sole entity authorized and directed by statute to design, construct and operate turnpike projects,” Davidson said.
Last month, the Council of Bond Oversight approved the turnpike authority's issue of $500 million in revenue bonds to start a turnpike expansion project, with the condition that two lawsuits against the project are resolved.
The bonds are just part of a 15-year, $5 billion project to widen multiple turnpikes and add new routes.
A "south extension" portion of the project, which would build a new turnpike highway in east Norman and McClain County, has been opposed by hundreds of residents who say it would destroy homes and property.
State Supreme Court approval is required of all bonds and is typically a low-profile step.
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But a two-hour hearing on Tuesday included a presentation from the turnpike authority's attorney, along with several attorneys representing opponents of the project.
Rob Norman, an attorney representing residents opposed to the project, argued before the court’s referee that a 1987 bill that the turnpike authority claims authorized turnpike expansion projects did not include the current proposal.
Even if it did, Norman argued, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority was supposed to complete it in unison with the other projects decades ago.
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“It was an all-or-nothing proposition. It was a one-shot deal,” Norman said.
Secretary of Transportation Director Tim Gatz, who attended Tuesday's hearing, did not have a comment for The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma state government reporting is supported in part by a grant from the Kirkpatrick Foundation. To support work like this, consider purchasing a digital subscription to the Oklahoman today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Turnpike opponents present argument to Oklahoma Supreme Court
