OKHighways - OK 7

Highway History:
OK 7 once stretched across the state of Oklahoma. Beginning at the Texas State Line, the highway was duplexed with U.S. 62 to Lawton. From there, OK 7 ran along mostly the same route as today to OK 3 in Atoka, where today's OK 7 ends. From there, OK 7 duplexed with OK 3 to the Arkansas State Line. Another change from today is that OK 3 and OK 7 went straight at the U.S. 259 intersection (in the 1950s, U.S. 259 was OK 21 in this part of the state), and multiplexed with U.S. 70 for their final 16 miles in the Sooner State.

Until 2003, OK 7 had its western terminus at U.S. 62 in Lawton at the interchange of Sheridan Road and U.S. 62. That year, OK 7's western terminus was moved to Interstate 44 at its Exit 36.

Highway Review:
OK 7 is one of Oklahoma's longest state highways. It begins at Interstate 44 in south Lawton, and is 4-lane, divided highway all the way to east of Duncan, after its duplex with U.S. 81. The highway becomes four lanes once again at Interstate 35's Exit 55 and provides a connection from Interstate 35 to the Chickasaw Turnpike. This presents an ironic situation - the road leading to the turnpike is 4-lane, divided highway, 70 mph speed limit, while the turnpike itself is a 2-lane, 65 mph road! East of Sulphur, OK 7 heads south with OK 1 for 10 miles before they split. About 40 miles later, OK 7 finds its end at U.S. 69/75 in Atoka.

Highway Information:
Distance: 150.3 miles
Counties traveled through: Comanche, Stephens, Carter, Garvin, Murray, Johnston, Atoka
Cities traveled through: Lawton, Pumpkin Center, Duncan, Velma, County Line, Ratliff City, Tatums, Alpers, Ft. Arbuckle, Davis, Sulphur, Mill Creek, Reagan, Wapanucka, Atoka
Highway intersections: Interstate 44 (Mile 0.0), OK 65 (Mile 9.6), U.S. 81 (Mile 23.6), OK 7B (Mile 30.0), U.S. 81 (Mile 30.8), OK 7B (Mile 32.3), OK 76 (Mile 58.2), OK 74 (Mile 65.3), Interstate 35 (Mile 79.3), U.S. 77 (Mile 82.2), U.S. 77 (Mile 82.6), OK 110 (Mile 84.3), Chickasaw Turnpike (Mile 88.5), U.S. 177 (Mile 91.2), U.S. 177 (Mile 91.5), OK 1 (Mile 97.8), OK 1 (Mile 108.8), U.S. 377/OK 99 (Mile 119.5), U.S. 377/OK 99 (Mile 120.4), OK 7D (Mile 128.9), OK 48 (Mile 133.2), U.S. 69/U.S. 75 (Mile 150.3)
Highway duplexes: U.S. 81 (Miles 23.6-30.8, 7.2 miles), U.S. 77 (Miles 82.2-82.6, 0.4 miles), U.S. 177 (Miles 91.2-91.5, 0.3 miles), OK 1 (Miles 97.8-108.8, 11.0 miles), U.S. 377/OK 99 (Miles 119.5-120.4, 0.9 miles)

Traffic Counts:
18,600 - 2 miles E of Lawton
8,100 - 1 mile W of OK 65
7,900 - 1 mile E of OK 65
7,500 - OK 7 @ U.S. 81
17,400 - U.S. 81/OK 7 duplex
9,700 - SW Duncan
7,900 - SE Duncan
3,100 to 4,300 - OK 7B to OK 76
3,300 - OK 7 @ OK 76
1,900 - OK 7 @ OK 74
7,100 - OK 7 @ Interstate 35
10,100 - Davis
9,400 - OK 7 @ OK 110
8,400 - Sulphur
1,700 - OK 7 @ OK 1
1,300 to 1,600 - OK 1/OK 7 duplex
510 - 1 mile E of OK 1 W
310 - OK 7 @ U.S. 377/OK 99
1,900 - U.S. 377/OK 7/OK 99 multiplex
830 - OK 7 @ OK 7D
1,700 - OK 7 @ OK 48
1,900 - OK 7 @ OK 3 Bypass
3,700 - OK 7 @ U.S. 69/U.S. 75

Normally I don't write a commentary about a terminus, but I have some historical information on this terminus, thanks to Mark Adkinson (spam filter in effect, replace # with @). He sent me an e-mail February 16, 2003, informing me of the terminus change from U.S. 62 to Interstate 44. He also provided some background information of the routings of U.S. 62 and OK 7 in Lawton:

"...the western end of OK 7 has floated around quite a bit over the last 20 years or so. At one time, it ended at the corner of Cache Rd. and Sheridan. I didn't remember it ever going all the way to the Fort Sill gate, but...after U.S. 62 was routed to a new alignment just north of Cache Rd. in the 70's (not the current Rogers Lane alignment), OK 7 was rerouted to run all the way out [on] Lee to 82nd Street, then north to the new U.S. 62 alignment."

	The now former OK 7 West at Business U.S. 281 in Lawton. OK 7 now ends at Interstate 44, half a mile to the east of this stoplight. (Photo taken 9/6/02)
	Mileage sign on OK 7 West just past the OK 65 junction. Lawton is 11 miles ahead, and Altus is 64 miles ahead. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West approaching OK 65. This junction is known as Pumpkin Center. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West approaching OK 65. The north-south state highway spans 44.4 miles from U.S. 70 near the Red River to OK 17 in Sterling. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West at OK 65. The speed limit falls slightly along OK 7 in the area closest to the junction. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	Mileage sign on OK 7 West just past the Duncan bypass. OK 65 is 14 miles ahead. The speed limit is 70 mph along much of OK 7 between Lawton and Duncan. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West at the northwestern end of the Duncan bypass. Some maps mark the bypass as part of OK 7, however, the state highway still travels through Duncan duplexed with U.S. 81. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	U.S. 81 North and OK 7 West approaching OK 7 West in north Duncan. The two highways duplex for seven miles through the city of Duncan, population 22,505. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	U.S. 81 North and OK 7 West at OK 7 West. U.S. 81 will enter Marlow (pop. 4,592) in four miles. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	U.S. 81 North and OK 7 West assurance shields near the Chisholm Mall shopping center in north Duncan. If you're in a hurry, take the bypass around Duncan, because it can seem to take a while to drive through the city. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	U.S. 81 North and OK 7 West assurance shields in central Duncan. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	U.S. 81 North and OK 7 West approaching OK 7B. OK 7B is not signed at its western terminus. The route is the original OK 7 through downtown Duncan. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	U.S. 81 North and OK 7 West at OK 7B East. Again, the state highway is not signed here. The highway travels along Main Street through this part of Duncan. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	U.S. 81 North and OK 7 West assurance shields just north of the OK 7 East junction. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West approaching U.S. 81. Continuing straight ahead puts motorists onto the Duncan bypass. The bypass is not signed as a numbered route. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	Very quickly after the junction U.S. 81 shield assembly, OK 7 motorists exit the mainline and head for U.S. 81. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West at U.S. 81. Exit to the right to continue on OK 7 West and U.S. 81 North. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 East at OK 7B (Business OK 7) West in southeast Duncan. There are no signs in place for OK 7B from OK 7 East. (Photo taken 5/12/04)
	OK 7 West approaching OK 7B in east Duncan. OK 7B is signed at its eastern terminus, unlike its other end. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West at OK 7B West. (Top photo taken 5/12/04, bottom photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West approaching the beginning of the divided highway east of Duncan. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	The speed limit is 70 mph along OK 7's divided highway section east of Duncan. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	Mileage sign on OK 7 West near Velma. Duncan is 16 miles ahead, and Lawton is 46 miles ahead. Yes, we were driving on the wrong side of the road here; resurfacing work was in progress at this time, and traffic in both directions used the eastbound lane. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	Mileage sign on OK 7 West just past the OK 76 junction in Ratliff City. Velma is ten miles away. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West approaching OK 76. The highway widens to a four-lane divided configuration through the intersection. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West at OK 76. OK 76 spans 110.7 miles from a point just south of Leon near the Red River to OK 37 between Tuttle and Newcastle. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	Mileage sign on OK 7 West just past the OK 74 junction. Ratliff City is seven miles ahead. Tatums, not listed on this sign, is three miles ahead. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West approaching OK 74 North. OK 74 is presently divided into two sections. This intersection is the southern terminus of the southern OK 74. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	Elmore City is ten miles to the north. Pooleville is about halfway between OK 7 and OK 53. OK 74 extended as far south as OK 53 during the 60's and 70's. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West at OK 74 North. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	Mileage sign on OK 7 East just past OK 74. Davis is 17 miles ahead, and Sulphur is 25 miles ahead. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 East at Interstate 35 North - Oklahoma City. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 7 West at Interstate 35 North. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 7 East at U.S. 77 South. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	U.S. 77 South/OK 7 West approaching U.S. 77 South. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	U.S. 77 South/OK 7 West at U.S. 77 South in Davis. The two highways have a 1/2 mile duplex. (Top photo taken 5/28/04, bottom photo taken 11/26/04)
	U.S. 77 North/OK 7 East assurance shields just east of U.S. 77 South. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	U.S. 77 North/OK 7 East at U.S. 77 North. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 7 West at U.S. 77 North in Davis. (Top photo taken 5/28/04, bottom photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 7 East at OK 110 South. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 7 West at OK 110 South. OK 110 connects OK 7 to the town of Dougherty. (Top photo taken 5/28/04, bottom photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 7 East at the Chickasaw Turnpike. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 7 West at the Chickasaw Turnpike. The Chickasaw Turnpike is a 2-lane road that is 17 miles long and costs 55 cents to drive on. (Top two photos taken 5/28/04, bottom photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 7 East at U.S. 177 in Sulphur. OK 7 heads to the north here for a short duplex with U.S. 177. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	U.S. 177 South/OK 7 West at OK 7 West in Sulphur. U.S. 177 enters the Chickasaw National Recreational Area just ahead. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	OK 7 West at OK 7D North. OK 7D connects OK 7 to Bromide. (Photo taken 5/28/04)
	OK 7 East at OK 48 in Wapanucka. (Photo taken 5/28/04)

	"END OK 7" and "State Maintenance Ends" signage as OK 7 West comes to an end in Lawton. (Photo taken 12/11/03)
	OK 7 West approaching Interstate 44 West and U.S. 277/ U.S. 281 South. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West at Interstate 44 West/U.S. 277/U.S. 281 South. The "END" sign is about 1/4 mile west of the interstate. (Top photo taken 12/11/03, bottom photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West approaching Interstate 44/U.S. 277/U.S. 281. (Photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 West at Interstate 44 East/U.S. 277/U.S. 281 North. (Top photo taken 12/11/03, bottom photo taken 9/20/05)
	OK 7 East at Interstate 44 West/U.S. 277/U.S. 281 South. (Photo taken 12/11/03)
	OK 7 East at Interstate 44 East/U.S. 277/U.S. 281 North. (Photo taken 12/11/03)
	First OK 7 East assurance shield just east of Interstate 44. The OK 65 junction is 9.5 miles ahead. (Photo taken 12/11/03)
	Interstate 44 West at Exit 36A - OK 7 East - Duncan. (Photo taken 10/11/02)
	Interstate 44 East at Exit 36A - OK 7 - Lee Blvd./Duncan. (Photo taken 9/6/02)

	"END OK 7" sign as OK 7 East nears its end at U.S. 69 and U.S. 75 in Atoka. This is also the eastern end of the OK 3 Bypass. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 7 East at U.S. 69/U.S. 75. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 7 West/OK 3 Bypass assurance shields just west of U.S. 69/U.S. 75. The OK 3 Bypass will split from OK 7 in 1/2 mile. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 3 West approaching U.S. 69/U.S. 75/OK 7 in Atoka. OK 3 heads north with U.S. 69 and U.S. 75 for about a mile. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	OK 3 West at U.S. 69/U.S. 75/OK 7. (Photo taken 5/31/04)
	U.S. 69/U.S. 75 South/OK 3 East at OK 7 West/ OK 3 East/OK 3 Bypass. (Photo taken 5/31/04)

	The former western terminus of OK 7 was located here, at the entrance to the Fort Sill military base in northern Lawton. This ramp is the final opportunity to get off the highway before the road enters the base. Unlike the new western terminus, there is no "END" sign present here. (Photo taken 9/6/02)
	This ramp is actually the exit ramp from Sheridan Rd. south after leaving Fort Sill. Since I didn't turn off at U.S. 62 like I was supposed to, I had to turn around in Fort Sill. But I was able to get this perspective. No need to worry about that anymore, though, as the western terminus has been truncated to Interstate 44. (Photo taken 9/6/02)