In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the proposed turnpike project and its implications for local development, particularly concerning a potential Costco location in Norman. The meeting highlighted the city's efforts to communicate with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) regarding the community's opposition to the turnpike, which was confirmed through conversations with both current and former ODOT directors.

City representatives emphasized the importance of a five-lane boulevard extending Highway 37, which would facilitate access to a 130-acre site at Indian Hills Road, identified by Costco as a prime location for its new store. However, the existing rural interchange at Indian Hills Road is currently the only one in the Oklahoma City metro area and is included in ODOT's eight-year plan for updates. City officials urged ODOT to prioritize this project, noting that successful coordination could yield approximately $5 million in annual sales tax revenue for Norman.

Despite initial optimism about the boulevard project, city officials expressed frustration over delays and a lack of communication from ODOT. After several weeks of waiting for updates, the announcement of the Access Oklahoma turnpike project raised concerns among local leaders, who felt it overshadowed their efforts to secure the necessary infrastructure for Costco's arrival.

The resolution discussed in the meeting focused specifically on access roads related to the turnpike, underscoring the city's ongoing struggle to navigate the complexities of transportation planning and economic development in the face of significant state-level challenges.