Creek Turnpike: Interstate 644?

[bugo]

The SAFETEA-LU legislation of 2005 allowed for an Interstate designation for the Creek Turnpike.  Here is the relevant text, found in Section 1908:

CREEK TURNPIKE, OKLAHOMA.-The Secretary shall designate as part of the Interstate System (as defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code) in accordance with section 103(c)(4) of such title the portion of the Creek Turnpike connecting Interstate Route 44 east and west of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It's 2008 and there are no Interstate markers on the Creek Turnpike (except for the short part between US 412 and the northern end of the abandoned section of the Will Rogers.)  Is it an unnumbered Interstate?  We have the unsigned I-444, so nothing would surprise me.  Are there plans to give it a number and sign it?  I think it would be a good idea because the signs would probably help take some traffic off of I-44.  Some motorists avoid any road without the red-white-and blue shield, regardless if it's a freeway or not.  If it is numbered, I would assume it would be I-644, although I would prefer 844.  Unless they're saving 844 for the Gilcrease, which will be completed in 2505.

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by bugo

The SAFETEA-LU legislation of 2005 allowed for an Interstate designation for the Creek Turnpike.  Here is the relevant text, found in Section 1908:

CREEK TURNPIKE, OKLAHOMA.-The Secretary shall designate as part of the Interstate System (as defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code) in accordance with section 103(c)(4) of such title the portion of the Creek Turnpike connecting Interstate Route 44 east and west of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It's 2008 and there are no Interstate markers on the Creek Turnpike (except for the short part between US 412 and the northern end of the abandoned section of the Will Rogers.)  Is it an unnumbered Interstate?  We have the unsigned I-444, so nothing would surprise me.  Are there plans to give it a number and sign it?  I think it would be a good idea because the signs would probably help take some traffic off of I-44.  Some motorists avoid any road without the red-white-and blue shield, regardless if it's a freeway or not.  If it is numbered, I would assume it would be I-644, although I would prefer 844.  Unless they're saving 844 for the Gilcrease, which will be completed in 2505.

I'm not sure that it even matters unless it's for means of federal funds.  The OTA maintains the Creek.  I'm not sure how turnpikes like the Turner, Will Rogers, H E Bailey, etc are using funding, though.

[dsjeffries]

quote:Originally posted by Hoss
I'm not sure that it even matters unless it's for means of federal funds.  The OTA maintains the Creek.  I'm not sure how turnpikes like the Turner, Will Rogers, H E Bailey, etc are using funding, though.

Well, it's a cross-pledging system, so all the money paid by those using turnpikes is just pooled and then distributed amongst all of them.  That basically guarantees that the turnpikes will remain turnpikes in perpetuity. [xx(]

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by dsjeffries
Well, it's a cross-pledging system, so all the money paid by those using turnpikes is just pooled and then distributed amongst all of them.  That basically guarantees that the turnpikes will remain turnpikes in perpetuity.

Dont interstates have to be free roads to be considered interstates?

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by dsjeffries
Well, it's a cross-pledging system, so all the money paid by those using turnpikes is just pooled and then distributed amongst all of them.  That basically guarantees that the turnpikes will remain turnpikes in perpetuity.

Dont interstates have to be free roads to be considered interstates?

If that's the case then I-44 has been signed illegally now for about 50 years....

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by dsjeffries
Well, it's a cross-pledging system, so all the money paid by those using turnpikes is just pooled and then distributed amongst all of them.  That basically guarantees that the turnpikes will remain turnpikes in perpetuity.

Dont interstates have to be free roads to be considered interstates?

No, but as a turnpike, any federal funding they received is given to ODOT to spend elsewhere in the state.