April Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: Work Zone Awareness week declared; more than $101 million in projects awarded
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, April 1, meeting include the kick off of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s work zone safety awareness initiative in April, status of a bridge hit by a barge over the weekend, an update on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure charging station installation and preparations for the upcoming solar eclipse. Commissioners were informed of a more than $40 million project on US-75 in Glenpool and given notice of an upcoming bridge project on I-235 in Oklahoma City.
ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz read a proclamation from Gov. Kevin Stitt declaring April 15-19 “Oklahoma Work Zone Awareness Week” and debuted a new work zone safety public service announcement, which can be viewed here. The safety campaign “Make it Home Safe; Make Oklahoma Safe,” was created by ODOT and OTA to help remind motorists of their responsibility to be safe in highway work zones, and coincides with the National Work Zone Safety Awareness campaign led by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
There will be more than 145 work zones in Oklahoma this summer driving season. “We ask for the traveling public’s support as we all work hard to end crashes in construction work zones,” Gatz said. In its history, 72 Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority employees have been killed in the line of duty, more than any other state agencies except the military.
Gatz updated commissioners on the US-59 bridge that was hit by an errant barge on March 30. The bridge is on the eastern side of the Kerr Reservoir on the Sequoyah/LeFlore county line south of Sallisaw. ODOT Bridge Engineer Justin Hernandez assured commissioners the bridge was safe since it was built to heightened vessel impact standards to withstand such an event. Initial inspections concluded the damage was superficial, but Hernandez said a more thorough inspection will be made within the week.
The commission also voted to award more than $8 million in federal funds to three private partners to build 13 electric vehicle charging stations as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The chargers will be built along I-35, I-40 and I-44. The goal of the NEVI plan is to reduce range anxiety for EV drivers nationwide and provide a charging station every 50 miles along Oklahoma interstates.
Transportation officials are working with multiple state and local agencies to prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse April 8. Gatz notified commissioners that portions of Southeastern Oklahoma are expected to be impacted the most. Drivers are reminded to use caution in the area as there are mainly two-lane roads, some with and without shoulders and two construction projects affecting traffic. Drivers should prepare for major congestion, look out for pedestrians, refrain from stopping on the highway or shoulder to watch the event and are encouraged to get familiar with the area or take a paper map in case cell towers are overloaded.
Drivers can pick up a map at any Tourism Information Center and can view it online. More information about the eclipse can be found at oklahoma.gov/oem/eclipse. In addition, on April 2, Gov. Kevin Stitt and multiple state agencies held a press conference to discuss safety and logistics surrounding the eclipse. The press event can be viewed here.
Commissioners approved a more than $40 million contract to construct a bridge on US-75 over 141st St. in Glenpool as well as ramps, access roads and protected turnarounds. Phased construction will build ramps and frontage roads first followed by the bridge. Work is anticipated to begin this summer and take about a year. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on US-75 at peak times. A broader corridor study is in the preliminary stages for US-75 between SH-117 and SH-67.
Gatz advised commissioners about a much needed, upcoming bridge joint rehabilitation project on I-235 just north of I-40 in Oklahoma City. The many traffic movements in the area will make it a challenging work zone. Work is anticipated to begin in late April and finish in late summer; the contract is incentivized for early completion. Drivers are strongly encouraged to locate an alternate route or expect significant delays. Drivers can sign up to receive emails about projects in the metro at https://oklahoma.gov/odot.html.
Commissioners voted to award 27 contracts totaling more than $101 million to improve highways, roads and bridges statewide. The public may access a list of all awarded contracts at https://oklahoma.gov/odot/business-center/contracts-and-proposals.html selecting the March 14, and March 21, 2024 lettings.
The next Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, May 6. 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.
At Monday’s Transportation Commission meeting ODOT Executive Direction Tim Gatz read a proclamation from Gov. Kevin Stitt declaring April 15-19 “Oklahoma Work Zone Awareness Week,” recognized the District Engineers representing colleagues in the field and debuted a new work zone safety public service announcement, which can be viewed here. The safety campaign “Make it Home Safe; Make Oklahoma Safe,” was created by ODOT and OTA to help remind motorists of their responsibility to be safe in highway work zones, and coincides with the National Work Zone Safety Awareness campaign led by the USDOT.
At Monday’s Transportation Commission meeting ODOT Executive Direction Tim Gatz updated commissioners on the US-59 bridge that was hit by an errant barge on March 30. The bridge is on the eastern side of the Kerr Reservoir on the Sequoyah/LeFlore county line south of Sallisaw. Bridge Engineer Justin Hernandez assured commissioners the bridge was safe since it was built to heightened vessel impact standards to withstand such an event. Initial inspections concluded the damage was superficial, but Hernandez said a more thorough inspection will be made within the week.
At Monday’s Transportation Commission meeting ODOT Executive Direction Tim Gatz updated the commission on efforts to prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse April 8. Portions of Southeastern Oklahoma are expected to be impacted the most. ODOT has temporarily suspended non-emergency maintenance and construction activities where possible. Drivers are reminded to prepare for major congestion, look out for pedestrians and refrain from stopping on the highway or shoulder to watch the event and are encouraged to take a paper map in case cell towers are overloaded. More information can be found at https://oklahoma.gov/oem/eclipse
At Monday’s Transportation Commission meeting, commissioners approved a more than $40 million contract to construct a bridge on US-75 over 141st St. in Glenpool as well as ramps, access roads and protected turnarounds. Phased construction will build ramps and frontage roads first then the bridge. Work is anticipated to begin this summer and take about a year. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on US-75 at peak times. A broader corridor study is in the preliminary stages for US-75 between SH-117 and SH-67.
