The Creek Turnpike now has official state highway designation as Oklahoma 364.
Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce President Wes Smithwick said that will help draw businesses from retailers to manufacturers all along the 33-mile toll road.
"In other parts of the country, people don't always know what a turnpike is, what type of road it is," Smithwick said. "By us putting a major state highway designation on it, it helps us tell the story to potential developers that we have a great roadway infrastructure there ringing not only Broken Arrow, but east and south of the metro."
Earning the state highway designation has taken a few years. Smithwick said they initially sought federal interstate designation, but that process was overly complex.
Smithwick said it also makes it more likely mapping software and GPS will recognize the turnpike.
"Some radar maps, when severe weather is showing, the Creek Turnpike does not show up," Smithwick said. "We believe over the next year or two, as maps are updated, it will start to show up, and that just helps people with a frame of reference."
The Muskogee Turnpike has also earned designation as Oklahoma 351.
