June Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: Emergency repair contract for Roosevelt bridge approved; $93.5 million in projects awarded
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s June 2 meeting include approval of an emergency repair contract for the US-70 Roosevelt bridge causeway over Lake Texoma, review of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s preliminary budget, welcoming the new District 7 Commissioner and recognition of the department’s annual Safety Excellence Awards.
Commissioners approved a nearly $5.5 million emergency contract to make repairs to the causeway leading up to the US-70 Roosevelt bridge over Lake Texoma. The causeway in Southeastern Oklahoma was severely damaged due to recent storms and flooding in the area. Engineers closed the bridge and causeway for assessment, determined it was safe to reopen to traffic with some restrictions. The bridge is safe and did not sustain damage.
“We understand how important US-70 is across the southern portion of the state. We will, through our traffic advisory process and a lot of local engagement, keep the public up to speed on traffic conditions as we implement this fix for the causeway issue,” said Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz.
Emergency repairs began Monday night and will continue through July with a short suspension over the holiday. Plans to replace the Roosevelt bridge and causeway are anticipated to begin in 2026. Drivers can view or subscribe to receive traffic advisories by email at www.oklahoma.gov/odot or follow ODOT on X or Facebook.
Commissioners voted to approve the department’s preliminary $2.5 billion Budget Work Program for Fiscal Year 2026. The Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund (ROADS fund) received an additional deposit of $20 million from the Legislature, bringing its portion to $610 million. This will be an eight-year commitment focused on the construction and improvement of weigh stations.
Gatz and commissioners welcomed newly appointed District 7 Commissioner Paul Scott. Scott and his wife are owners of a mobile diagnostic service and Scott previously served in the Oklahoma Legislature. He will represent the nine district counties of Southwestern Oklahoma. Commissioner Scott was appointed by Gov. Stitt and fills the seat previously held by Steve LaForge who passed away earlier this year.
The commission meeting also included presentation of ODOT’s safety awards recognizing its nine districts and work units with the best safety ratings in 2024. The Governor’s Safety Excellence Award for the best overall record was given to District Six, which is based in Buffalo. This prestigious award is presented to the district that has the overall best safety record for the year demonstrating superior performance in leading the district’s safety program.
The Progressive Excellence Award for the most improved safety record was given to District Five, which is headquartered in Clinton. Additionally, the Director’s Safety Excellence awards were given to the individual work units in each of ODOT’s field districts and the central office with the best safety performance. More information and photos can be found in the Safety Awards press release.
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.
Commissioners voted to award 29 contracts totaling $93.5 million to improve interstates, highways and bridges statewide. The public may access a list of all awarded contracts at the ODOT Business Center.
The next Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, July 7. The meeting will be available to view live via Ustream and past meetings are available on YouTube and vimeo.com/odot.
At Monday’s monthly meeting, Oklahoma Transportation Commissioners approved a nearly $5.5 million emergency contract to make repairs to the US-70 Roosevelt bridge causeway over Lake Texoma. Repairs began Monday night and are expected to go through July. The causeway in Southeastern Oklahoma was severely damaged due to recent storms and flooding in the area.
At the June Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting, the 2024 Governor’s Safety Excellence Award, presented to the field district with the best overall safety record, was awarded to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s District Six. Pictured from left are District Six Engineer Jon Logan, Maintenance Superintendent Terry Drew, District Six Safety Manager Jerrid Drew, Executive Director Tim Gatz, Chief Engineer TJ Dill, Chief Engineer Brian Taylor, Commissioner Michael Junk and Commissioner Bobby Alexander. District Six is headquartered in Buffalo and includes Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Ellis, Woodward, Woods, Alfalfa and Major counties.
Newly appointed District 7 Commissioner Paul Scott will now represent the nine district counties of Southwestern Oklahoma on the Oklahoma Transportation Commission.
