May Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: Crews lend a hand in Enid, Route 66 celebrated; $141.5 million in projects awarded
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s monthly meeting include an update on tornado debris clean up in Enid, a recap on the recent Route 66 / Turner Turnpike project and public art dedication in Wellston and a bridge rehabilitation project on SH-51/Broken Arrow Expressway in Tulsa.
Transportation Secretary and Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz told commissioners that following a devastating tornado in south Enid, ODOT deployed crews from its District 4 headquarters in Perry to assist with response efforts. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported, however dozens of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed. Crews operated 11 multi-use trucks, three compact track loaders and one excavator to remove debris.
“If we can respond during times of emergency to assist a community in getting debris out of the way to the point where they can get better access into the neighborhood to start the rebuilding process, we are more than willing to assist where we have the capability and where we have the opportunity,” Gatz said.
Crews were also deployed in the Atoka area in District 2 which also suffered similar severe weather and isolated tornado events.
Gatz briefed commissioners on the successful dedication of the newly improved stretch of Route 66 in Wellston, where it intersects the new I-44 Turner Turnpike bridge along with three new public art installations as part of the Route 66 Public Art Trail.
United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster visited Oklahoma for the event and was featured as keynote speaker for the second annual Mother Road Summit hosted at the Oklahoma History Center. The event brought together national, state and local partners to advance planning and momentum ahead of the Route 66 centennial. Gatz serves as a commissioner on both the national and the state of Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commissions.
Administrator McMaster’s participation underscored strong federal-state partnership and national attention on Oklahoma’s Route 66 investments. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell joined the dedication and summit for a full day of speakers and panels focused on tourism, preservation and leveraging Route 66’s legacy for future growth.
During the May meeting, commissioners approved a $4 million contract to rehabilitate the SH-51/Broken Arrow Expressway bridges over 21st St. in Tulsa was approved by the Commission. This area sees about 81,000 vehicles per day and is a heavily traveled commuter route. Two lanes will remain open in each direction during peak travel times but lanes will be narrowed. Work should begin in late summer and last about seven months.
Drivers can view or subscribe to receive traffic advisories by email at www.oklahoma.gov/odot or follow ODOT on X or Facebook.
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 36 contracts totaling $141.5 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, June 1. The meeting will be available to view live via Ustream and past meetings are available on YouTube and vimeo.com/odot.
At the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s monthly meeting, Transportation Secretary and Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz told commissioners that following a devastating tornado in south Enid, ODOT deployed crews from its District 4 headquarters in Perry to assist with response efforts.
At the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s monthly meeting, Transportation Secretary and Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz briefed commissioners on the successful dedication of the newly improved stretch of Route 66 in Wellston, where it intersects the new I-44 Turner Turnpike bridge along with three new public art installations as part of the Route 66 Public Art Trail.
