June Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: World Cup preparations progressing; $103 million in projects awarded
PR #26-018
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s June meeting include an update on preparations for the World Cup, recognition of the department’s annual Safety Excellence Awards and contracts to reconfigure SH-1/Arlington St. “Crazy Corner” in Ada and replace bridges on US-69 in Durant.
Soccer matches may not be taking place in Oklahoma, but the state’s interstates and highways will certainly see an increase in traffic as World Cup fans traverse games between Dallas, Houston and Kansas City. The department has been working with host states to ensure drivers will have the latest information about traffic incidents along the I-35 corridor, which is expected to see the most traffic. Message boards will be deployed in each state and updated as needed based on feedback from surrounding states. The department has minimized construction activities as much as possible in the short span of mid-June to mid-July to accommodate the traffic flow.
Drivers can view or subscribe to receive traffic advisories via email by signing up at www.oklahoma.gov/odot or can follow ODOT on X or Facebook.
The commission meeting also included presentation of ODOT’s safety awards recognizing its nine districts and work units with the best safety ratings in 2025. The Governor’s Safety Excellence Award for the best overall record was again given to District Two, which is based in Antlers. 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 again given to District One, which is headquartered in Muskogee. 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 on ODOT’s website.
During the June meeting, commissioners approved a more than $6 million contract to reconfigure an interchange in Ada dubbed “Crazy Corner.” A cooperative project between the department, City of Ada and Chickasaw nation, will rebuild the SH-1/Arlington St. and SH-99/US-377/Mississippi Ave. interchange. Improvements include eliminating two at-grade railroad crossings, installing new traffic signals and crossing gates and adding safety curbs. The project is anticipated to begin this fall and will take about a year.
In addition, commissioners approved a nearly $19 million project to replace four bridges and on and off-ramps on US-69 over Main St. and Arkansas St./Kiamichi Railroad in Durant. The project is expected to begin in early fall and take a little more than a year to complete. US-69 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction with some short-term ramp closures.
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 12 contracts totaling $103 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 6. The meeting will be available to view live via Ustream and past meetings are available on YouTube and vimeo.com/odot.
At the June Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting, employees were presented safety awards recognizing nine districts and work units with the best safety ratings in 2025. The Governor’s Safety Excellence Award for the best overall record was again given to District Two, which is based in Antlers. 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.
At the June Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s monthly meeting, commissioners approved a more than $6 million contract to reconfigure an interchange in Ada dubbed “Crazy Corner.” A cooperative project between the department, City of Ada and Chickasaw nation, will rebuild the SH-1/Arlington St. and SH-99/US-377/Mississippi Ave. interchange. Improvements include eliminating two at-grade railroad crossings, installing new traffic signals and crossing gates and adding safety curbs. The project is anticipated to begin this fall and will take about a year.
