July Commission Wrap-Up: Major interstate projects progressing on-schedule
$42 million in contracts awarded
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2017
PR# 17-022
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, July 10 meeting include an update on some of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s largest interstate projects, a report on new electric and hybrid vehicles fees and approval of bridge signs honoring Choctaw Code Talkers. Awarded contracts include construction on US-62 in Comanche County, SH-11 in Tulsa County, US-64 in Pawnee County, a county road in Oklahoma County and engineering for future work on SH-152 and I-44 in Oklahoma City and SH-20 in Rogers County.
Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Mike Patterson updated the commission on the progress of some the agency’s largest projects in Oklahoma City, including I-235 expansion and I-35/I-240 Crossroads interchange reconstruction. Both projects are being done in phases and will address well-known traffic bottlenecks and safety issues. He also commented on the state’s new fee on electric and hybrid vehicles that will benefit roads and bridges. With the growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles, including Volvo’s recent announcement that it will transition away from gas-powered cars, Patterson noted that transportation funding will have to adapt and move away from the current flat per-gallon tax on motor fuel.
As part of the consent docket, the commission approved signs recognizing Choctaw Code Talkers being placed on highway bridges in Bryan, Choctaw, Johnston, LeFlore, McCurtain, Pittsburg, Pontotoc and Pittsburg counties. House Bill 1149, approved by the state legislature and governor in May, designated more than 20 bridges in honor of individual Choctaw Code Talkers who served in World Wars I and II.
Commissioners awarded contracts for traffic signal installation on US-62 in Lawton; bridge replacement on SH-11 near Sperry; highway and bridge reconstruction on US-64 near Pawnee and a county road reconstruction project on N.E. 164th St. near Luther. They also approved engineering contracts for the design of the upcoming SH-20 realignment in Claremore and a study to help determine future improvements to the SH-152 (Airport Rd.) and I-44 corridors in southwest Oklahoma City in anticipation of the new extension of the John Kilpatrick Turnpike.
Commissioners voted to award 19 contracts totaling nearly $42 million to improve highways, roads and bridges in 16 counties. Contracts were awarded for projects in Cherokee, Choctaw, Comanche, Craig, Garvin, Jackson, Love, Marshall, Nowata, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pushmataha, Seminole and Tulsa counties. A list of all awarded contracts may be found by visiting www.odot.org/contracts, selecting the June 2017 letting and clicking Go and then Award.
The eight-member panel, appointed by the governor to oversee the state’s transportation development, awards project contracts for road and bridge construction every month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7.
Contracts, bid information, the commission’s monthly agenda and project details can be viewed at www.odot.org.
At its Monday, July 10 meeting, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved an engineering contract with a consultant to perform a study of the SH-152 (Airport Rd.) and I-44 corridors in southwest Oklahoma City in anticipation of the new extension of the John Kilpatrick Turnpike.
(Editors and News Directors: For more information, call the ODOT Media and Public Relations Division at 405-521-6000.)
