April Commission Wrap-Up: Safety is No. 1 at ODOT, I-235 in Oklahoma City to be resurfaced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2016
PR# 16-015
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, April 4 meeting include the announcement of an Oklahoma Department of Transportation campaign to bring attention to highway work zone safety, recognition of ODOT crews with the best safety records and commission approval of contracts for major projects on I-235 in Oklahoma City, I-35 in Garvin County, US-75 in Okmulgee County and SH-32 in Love County.
Executive Director Mike Patterson kicked off a two-month campaign focusing on safety in highway work zones with a proclamation from Gov. Mary Fallin declaring April and May “Work Zone Awareness Months” in Oklahoma. He also unveiled public service announcements expected to air on television and radio stations this spring and summer. The campaign includes profiles of ODOT workers, weekly Work Zone Wednesday reminders displayed on ODOT’s highway message boards, a dedicated Facebook cause page and display of the National Work Zone Memorial Wall at Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City and Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa in May, among other things.
“Last year, 13 motorists were killed and 521 were injured in collisions inside highway work zones,” Patterson said. “We must do better, but it will take the driving public partnering with us to make that happen.”
Safety is the No. 1 priority at ODOT and field divisions and crews are recognized for good work practices and safety records with the annual Safety Awards, which were also presented at the commission meeting.
The commission awarded a $2.4 million contract to resurface I-235 north of N. 36th St. in Oklahoma City. This is in preparation for the next phase of interchange reconstruction, which includes replacement of the N.W. 50th St. and BNSF railroad bridges over I-235 and widening of the interstate to six lanes. This reconstruction project is scheduled to be awarded this summer.
Commissioners also approved contracts for rehabilitation of an I-35 bridge near Wynnewood in Garvin County, nearly eight miles of pavement rehabilitation on US-75 south of Tulsa in Okmulgee County and reconstruction of nearly four miles of SH-32 near Marietta in Love County.
In all, commissioners awarded 32 contracts totaling $46.5 million to improve bridges, highways, interstates and roads in 21 counties. Contracts were awarded for projects in Canadian, Carter, Choctaw, Garvin, Latimer, LeFlore, Lincoln, Love, McClain, McIntosh, Mayes, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Payne, Pittsburg, Tulsa, Sequoyah, Stephens, Wagoner and Washita counties. A list of all awarded contracts can be found by visiting www.odot.org/contracts, selecting March letting and clicking Go and then Award.
The eight-member panel, appointed by the governor to oversee the state’s transportation development, awards project contracts for road and bridge construction every month. The next meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 2.
Contracts, bid information, the commission’s monthly agenda and project details can be viewed at www.odot.org.
A new campaign by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will highlight the dangers highway workers like Scott LeBarre, pictured here, face every day in work zones statewide. During this two month campaign, ODOT hopes to spread the message that drivers must use extra caution and put away distractions in work zones.
—www.odot.org—
(Editors and News Directors:For more information, call the ODOT Media and Public Relations Division at 405-521-6000.)
