Alann Nelson, access program manager for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, told Moore City Council the East'West Connector program includes two projects that will affect the Moore area: a Canadian River Bridge and an effluent (FUMA) line project tied to the city's infrastructure.
Nelson described the Canadian River Bridge as roughly "1.25 miles long" and said the latest bid came in at about $96,000,000. She said the design will include separate bridges for eastbound and westbound traffic, keep the alignment out of the floodplain where practical and include a third-party environmental inspection to ensure compliance with ADEQ requirements. "This bridge is going to be...1.25 miles long," Nelson said, and added the contractor could opt to start construction at the time they see fit, with construction expected to begin in September 2026 under the current schedule.
Nelson also described milestones intended to facilitate early completion along the corridor and mentioned a related contract of more than $2,000,000 to ensure connectivity in a portion of the corridor through 2027. Councilmembers asked questions about access points, temporary closures and maintenance responsibilities; Nelson said original interchange elements would be returned to Cleveland County maintenance and that multiple access points to the turnpike would be provided.
The presentation did not include a formal vote; it served as an update for council and the public. Nelson thanked the mayor and council for hosting the presentation and answered council questions about construction timing and local impacts.