Oklahoma Department of Transportation photo

The April 1, 2025, ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of a $64 million realignment and interchange project in Oklahoma.

The city of Claremore, Rogers County, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (ODOT) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the new State Highway 20 bridge over State Highway 66 to celebrate the completion of a $64 million realignment and interchange project on April 18, 2025.

With the completion of the current project and the previous Keetonville project, SH 20 will now provide travelers five travel lanes between U.S. 169 in Owasso and SH 66 in Claremore, with a new connection to the Interstate 44/Will Rogers Turnpike at Flint Road. A new bridge also carries SH 20 over SH 66 and a BNSF railroad.

"This tremendously collaborative effort between the city of Claremore, Rogers County, the Turnpike Authority and ODOT has led to an improved highway that will be much safer for drivers and easier for the state to maintain," said Tim Gatz, executive director of ODOT. "The new bridge crossing over the railroad will also be a significant addition to the community to safely cross the tracks when trains roll through town. This is investment in Oklahoma's future."

Crossing over SH 66, the new bridge celebrates the history of that road with Historic Route 66 embellishments and unique design features as well.

"This new bridge, which uniquely crosses over both U.S. Route 66 highway and the BNSF railway, marks a pivotal enhancement in our infrastructure," said Rogers County District 3 Commissioner Ron Burrows. "Not only does it improve connectivity across parts of Rogers County to the Will Rogers Turnpike, but it also substantially bolsters public safety by providing safer traveling."

The new alignment of SH 20 opened shortly after the ribbon cutting.

The former route for the highway will be resurfaced before ODOT hands over maintenance of the roadway to the county and city. The OTA opened the new I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike interchange on Flint Road in March, adding new access to the turnpike for area residents.

"We've seen right at 50,000 cars get on and off the new Flint Road interchange at I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike in the month since it opened. People are saving some time in their daily commute or on their way to church or to get groceries. They also have increased safety by having an additional travel option to reach the south side of Claremore," OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle.

The project began in March 2023 and replaced a two-lane highway which had no shoulders with a modern five-lane highway that connects to the previous realignment work around the Keetonville area. This also completed a two-decade SH 20 corridor enhancement between Owasso and Claremore that increased transportation options and safety for drivers throughout Rogers County.

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