October Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: Gatz announces retirement, Commission approves Eight-Year Construction Work Plan; $134 million in projects awarded
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR #26-035
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Oct. 5 meeting include the announcement of Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Executive Director Tim Gatz’s retirement, approval of the updated Eight-Year Construction Work Plan and Asset Preservation Plan and awarding an interchange reconstruction project at I-35 and Waterloo Rd. in Oklahoma City and improvements to US-69 near the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant.
Gatz announced at the Commission meeting that after 37 years with the state, he is retiring as ODOT’s executive director, a position in which he has served since 2019. His retirement will come at the end of October. Under Gatz’s leadership, Oklahoma became fourth in the nation for good bridge conditions, with only a tiny percentage of the state’s nearly 6,800 bridges ranking as structurally deficient. He was instrumental in the development of ODOT’s project management methodologies, Eight-Year Construction Work Plan and is credited with streamlining many project delivery processes at ODOT during his transportation career.
“Service to the citizens of the state of Oklahoma has absolutely been the honor of my lifetime. The Department of Transportation is like no other agency,” Gatz said. “I could not work anywhere else in government, because when we get to the end of the day, we can look back and see what we accomplished. And we made Oklahoma better, and that's going to continue long after I'm gone.”
At the meeting, several commissioners lauded Gatz for his leadership and contributions to the state along with his ability to deliver on time and under budget with limited resources.
In addition, the commission gave its approval to ODOT’s Eight-Year Construction Work Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2027-2034, which contains $7.3 billion in state and federal investments in highway improvements. The plan includes projects to address 188 bridges, 10 of those structurally deficient and nearly 2,975 miles of pavement improvements which includes more than 708 miles of improvements to rural, two-lane highways with deficient or no shoulders.
This year’s balance has been challenging due to construction inflation. Nationwide, DOTs have experienced nearly 18 years’ worth of cost inflation since 2020. The department has had to adjust project costs, in turn, moving multiple projects out of the Eight-Year Plan window. Those projects are also listed in the Plan.
The companion 2027-2030 Asset Preservation Plan was presented to commissioners and includes a nearly $520 million investment in preventative maintenance to extend the life of the state’s highway infrastructure. Asset preservation projects include pavement resurfacing and rehabilitation, bridge rehabilitation, painting and joint sealing.
Commissioners proceeded to approve a $57 million project to install a Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-35 and Waterloo Rd. in north Oklahoma City. This will widen I-35, replace bridges over Waterloo Rd., and add dedicated turn lanes. The project is estimated to start in early 2027 and take a little over two years.
Also awarded was a $24 million contract to widen US-69 in McAlester near the Army Ammunition Plan. The project will widen the highway to include a center turn lane, replace a narrow bridge and improve safety. It is estimated to start in February and take about a year a half.
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.
Commissioners voted to award 34 contracts totaling nearly $134 million to improve interstates, highways and bridges statewide. The public may access a list of all awarded contracts at the ODOT Business Center. View October’s Commission meeting on Vimeo.
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.
The next Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2. The meeting will be available to view live via Ustream and past meetings are available on YouTube and vimeo.com/odot.
After 37 years of service to the state, Gatz is retiring as Oklahoma Department of Transportation executive director, a position in which he has served since 2019.
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission was presented the 2027-2034 Eight-Year Construction Work Plan and the 2027-2030 Asset Preservation Plan for approval at its October 5 meeting. Together, the plans invest more than $7.8 billion in highway improvements and maintenance amid nearly 18 years’ worth of inflation nationwide since 2020. Both publications can be viewed on ODOT’s webpage at http://www.odot.org under the “Programs and Projects” tab.
