August Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: US-70 Roosevelt Bridge and I-44/US-75 updates given, nearly $80 million in projects awarded

Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Aug. 5, meeting include an update on a $124 million federal grant recently awarded to the US-70 Roosevelt Bridge between Kingston and Durant in Southeastern Oklahoma, a timeline for an interchange improvement project on I-44 at US-75 in Tulsa and the award of a contract for interchange improvements for I-44 at SH-66 in Catoosa.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz briefed commissioners on the $124 million Large Bridge Project grant awarded to ODOT through the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program, part of the Infrastructure Investments in Jobs Act, to replace Roosevelt bridge on US-70 between Kingston and Durant. The project will build a new four-lane bridge with shoulders next to the current bridge. This grant marks the largest in ODOT history and will be combined with bonds to help pay for and potentially advance the $250 million project currently scheduled for 2029. To learn more about the project and federal grant, click here.

“This particular bridge location is one of the most critical junctions in the southern tier of Oklahoma because there is no easy way around it if it’s taken out of service,” said Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz.

The commission voted to approve a contract to develop an alternative project delivery plan for the US-70 Roosevelt Bridge. The $250,000 contract, awarded to Gransberg & Associates, Inc., will begin the process of exploring potential development methods for the project.

“This contract allows us to bring on a consultant that has expertise in this particular area to help us explore alternative delivery opportunities and we are going to work closely with our private sector construction contractors and our consulting engineering partners to help us shape what kind of delivery method we might use,” said Gatz.

Director Gatz also provided the commission with an update on the interchange improvements at I-44 and US-75 in Tulsa. The project was divided into five work packages to help ensure the projects were manageable. Major construction was completed on the first work phase, which included bridge piers, in 2022. The piers were built in phase one to speed up planned construction and minimize future traffic impacts. The next round of work is expected to start in 2025 and last three years.

Commissioners awarded several contracts, among them an interchange improvement project for I-44 at SH-66 in Catoosa. The $42 million project will straighten a significant curve on I-44, allow for added capacity, higher speeds and provide better access to the area. A $16 million project will resurface and add shoulders to 6 miles of US-281 at US-412, near Chester in Major County in Northwestern Oklahoma. 

Commissioners voted to award 11 contracts totaling more than $79 million to improve interstates, highways and bridges statewide. The public may access a list of all awarded contracts at https://oklahoma.gov/odot/business-center/contracts-and-proposals.html by selecting the July 11, and July 18, 2024 lettings.

The next Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, September 9. The meeting will be available to view live via Ustream and past meetings are available at vimeo.com/odot.

The nine-member Oklahoma Transportation Commission, appointed by the governor and legislative leadership to oversee the state’s transportation development, awards contracts monthly for road and bridge construction.