September Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: I-40 bridge hit in Elk City underscores need to secure your load; nearly $80 million in projects awarded
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Sept. 9, meeting include an update on a recent bridge hit on I-40 in Elk City, details about replacing the Tower Bridge on historic Route 66, and the award of an I-35 resurfacing project in Edmond and adding shoulders to SH-152 east of Sayre.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz briefed commissioners on a recent bridge hit to the Randall Ave. bridge over I-40 in Elk City. An over-height vehicle carrying an excavator hit the bridge on August 17 resulting in several damaged bridge beams and spans and closing Randall Ave. A $670,000 emergency contract was awarded and work began Thursday, narrowing eastbound I-40 to one lane for two weeks.
A week after the I-40 bridge hit, an overhead sign on I-35 in Ardmore was destroyed by a raised bed of a dump truck. Crashes like these are a reminder to drivers to put safety first and secure your load prior to travel. These crashes cost taxpayer dollars to repair and also pose a threat to other driver’s safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 700 fatalities a year are attributed to unsecured loads. Safety outside the vehicle is just as important as safety inside.
“These are just two examples of over-height issues we deal with on our highway network far too often and unsecured loads are not just a danger to the highway infrastructure but are also a danger to the other drivers on the road,” said Gatz. “We are reminding drivers across Oklahoma to measure your load and make sure it is secure. You have to pay attention to what you are doing and recognize the responsibility you have as a traveler on the highway system.”
Commissioners voted to approve a contract to replace the Tower Bridge on Route 66/US-281 over an unnamed creek just north of Hinton in Caddo County. The $3 million project will begin mid-September to widen and replace the bridge and will close the bridge at Broadway Ave. with a local detour in place. Crews estimate completion in Spring 2025, well in advance of the Route 66 Centennial.
The commission approved several contracts for new projects, among them a bridge and resurfacing project along I-35 between Memorial Rd. and US-77/2nd St. in Edmond. The $18 million project will resurface and add shoulders to north and southbound I-35 as well as build turnarounds at 33rd St., 15th St. and 2nd St. This project also includes the first phase of a one-way frontage road conversion along I-35 in Edmond.
Commissioners also approved a resurfacing and shoulder project along SH-152 in Washita County. The $10 million project will resurface and add safety shoulders to 4 miles of SH-152 between SH-44 and Dill City, just east of Sayre in Washita County.
Commissioners voted to award 22 contracts totaling more than $80 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 August lettings.
The next Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7. 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, commissioners were briefed on the August 17 bridge hit to the Randall Ave. bridge over I-40 in Elk City. An over height vehicle carrying an excavator hit the bridge on August 17 resulting in several damaged bridge beams and spans and closing Randall Ave. A $670,000 emergency repair began Thursday, Sept. 12 and narrows eastbound I-40 to one lane for two weeks.
