Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority logo
Agency overview
Formed 1947
Headquarters 3500 Martin Luther King Ave.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Employees 681 (2010)
Annual budget $223.8 million (2010)
Minister responsible Gary Ridley, Secretary of Transportation
Agency executive Gary Ridley, Director
Website
www.pikepass.com

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (formerly Oklahoma Transportation Authority, and before that originally the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority) is a government agency of Oklahoma that deals with issues regarding the Oklahoma turnpike system. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, the Authority's mission statement is to "construct, operate, and maintain a safe and economical turnpike system for the convenience of customers". Along with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the Authority is the primary infrastructure construction and maintenance agency of the State.

The membership of the Authority consists of the Governor of Oklahoma, an ex officio member, and six members appointed by the Governor with consent of the Oklahoma Senate. There are six districts within the Turnpike System and one member is appointed from each district.

The Authority was established in 1947 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma Roy J. Turner.

Contents

Leadership

The Turnpike Authority is under the supervision of the Secretary of Transportation. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Gary Ridley is serving as the Cabinet Secretary. Secretary Ridley also serves as the Director of the Authority.

The Board of Directors of the Turnpike Authority is responsible for governing the Authority. The Board is composed of the seven members, six of which are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, with the Governor serving ex officio as the seventh member. The Board is responsible for appointing the Director of the Authority, who serves as the Board's pleasure.

As of 2011, the Board of Directors has the following members:

Organization

Structure

Personnel

The Turnpike Authority, as of calendar year 2009, employees 681 employees as follows:

Program Staffing
Administration 81
Toll Operations 242
Turnpike Maintenance 169
Highway Patrol (on assignment) 125
PIKEPASS Operations 64
Total 681

Budget

The budget of the Turnpike Authority is derived almost exclusively from the tolls collected from the users of the turnpike system. For Calendar Year 2010, tolls were $223.8 million. The Authority uses those funds as follows:

Program Funding (in millions)
Operations and Maintenance $73
Capital Outlay Plan $57.1
Debt Payments $93.7
Total $223.8

Controversy

In January, 2005, the authority caused a minor stir when it sent a letter to 41,000 people with a number purported to be a customer service line but, according to Reuters, callers "found themselves calling a sex line where they could speak with 'exciting people', such as lonely housewives, students and fantasy girls for $US2.99 a minute." The article notes that spokeswoman for the authority, Brigette Berglan, stated that "We're not that exciting here at the authority. We prefer to think of ourselves as helpful.", and that the authorities sent a postcard to the users with a phone number correction.

See also

References

External links