January Commission Wrap-Up: Four new division engineers, new ODOT website announced

Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Jan. 5 meeting include introduction of four division engineers, an update on transportation funding issues in the coming year and announcement of an improved Oklahoma Department of Transportation website that is customer-focused and transparent.
 

Commissioners were introduced to four new division engineers who will help lead several engineering and operations functions at the agency’s headquarters in Oklahoma City. Steve Jacobi was named Bridge Division Engineer, John Leonard is the new Division Engineer for the Construction Division, Scott Seiter is the new Materials and Research Division Engineer and Anthony Delce was named Division Engineer for the Office Engineer Division. All four are registered professional engineers and have held multiple positions within the department.

Executive Director Mike Patterson reported to the commission that he is excited to work with the state legislature on transportation issues in the upcoming session that begins next month and that he hopes for action on federal funding when the new U.S. Congress convenes in Washington, D.C.
 

“The state legislature and Oklahoma congressional delegation are very supportive of transportation and we hope for solutions that will preserve funding and allow delivery of the crucial construction projects in the ODOT Eight-year Plan as scheduled,” Patterson said.
 

Commissioners were also pleased to learn that a newly updated ODOT website is scheduled to debut this week and includes many customer-friendly upgrades. The new site was created in partnership with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services’ contractor, OK.gov, and includes many improvements that will make it easier for the traveling public to locate and view current traffic advisories, maps and as information on ongoing and planned projects. Users will also have the option to sign up to receive highway traffic updates and information on other ODOT programs by e-mail.

The newly updated front page also links to the Oklahoma Pathfinder site, which provides public access to ODOT traffic camera views and highway message board. It also features an updated map of current traffic information for Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro area highways and interstates statewide. The site is a work in progress and will be evolving as ODOT continues to make improvements and add new features. The website can be viewed at www.odot.org.

The agency does not typically advertise new construction projects for bid in December, thus no new contracts were awarded by the commission this month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. in the R.A. Ward Transportation Building in Oklahoma City.

Contracts, bid information, the commission’s monthly agenda and project details can be viewed at www.odot.org.

—www.odot.org—

(Editors and News Directors: For more information, call the ODOT Media and Public Relations Division at 405-521-6000.)
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Press Release - Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Media & Public Relations Division
200 N.E. 21st Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: 405-521-6000, Fax: 405-521-2524