September Commission Wrap-Up: Transportation Commission approves critical, long-term plans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2018
PR# 18-038
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s meeting Monday, Sept. 10, included approval of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s annually-rebalanced Eight-Year Construction Work Plan and its Asset Preservation Plan; adoption of the updated County Improvements for Roads and Bridges plan and introduction of the newest member of the Commission. Also announced were the unveiling of two new public charging stations for electric vehicles, the department's support of the #justdriveok teen anti-texting campaign and contracts awarded for projects including bridge rehabilitations on both I-44 in Oklahoma City and on I-35 near Paoli.
The commission voted unanimously to approve ODOT’s Eight-Year Construction Work Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2019-2026, which contains nearly $6.5 billion in planned work on state bridges and highways during the next eight years. The plan prioritizes critically needed highway projects and is updated each year based on projections of available state and federal funding. This year's plan includes 1,386 projects, construction of more than 720 miles of shoulders or other improvements to two-lane highways and 686 highway bridge replacements or major rehabilitations.
“I don’t think we would be as far along on structurally deficient bridges had it not been for an Eight-Year Construction Work Plan to keep us focused," said ODOT Executive Director and Transportation Secretary Mike Patterson.
The number of structurally deficient bridges on the state highway system has been reduced from an all-time high of 1,168 in 2004 to 168 today, and those are expected to be programmed for replacement or rehabilitation within the next two years. However, now that the goal of removing all structurally deficient bridges is in sight, greater emphasis will be on highway pavement maintenance and reconstruction.
The $473 million Asset Preservation Plan for State Fiscal Years 2019-2022 is a companion to the Eight-Year Construction Work Plan and focuses on preventive maintenance projects designed to extend the life of highway infrastructure. The plan features nearly 400 projects and includes 44 projects to improve highways to Americans with Disabilities Act standards by constructing curb ramps, sidewalks and crosswalks and installing traffic signal push buttons for pedestrians.
Also approved was the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Construction Work Plan for Fiscal Years 2019-2023. The latest plan calls for $877 million in improvements, most of the bridge projects will be replacements and nearly 40 projects use recycled bridge beams from the I-40 Crosstown project in Oklahoma City. The CIRB enables county commissioners to develop and schedule projects to improve roads and bridges on their system and is the one county program for which ODOT has oversight responsibility on construction contracts.
During the regular monthly meeting, Patterson introduced District 8 Commissioner Robert A. “Bob” Peterson of Tulsa. Peterson will represent the northeastern part of the state and replaces Peter Regan, who resigned in August. Peterson is chairman and chief executive officer of Melton Truck Lines, a long-haul flatbed trucking company headquartered in Tulsa.
Transportation Commissioners were also briefed on the newly installed, public electric vehicle charging stations in the visitor parking lot at ODOT’s main office in Oklahoma City. The department is the first state agency to have installed such stations in the State Capitol Complex for public and private use.
In addition, Patterson announced the department will be continuing its emphasis on work zone awareness by partnering with the Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and Oklahoma Highway Safety Office for the #justdriveok campaign this fall that asks Oklahoma teens to take the pledge online to not text and drive.
The Commission voted to award a $6 million bank stabilization and bridge rehabilitation project on the eastbound and westbound I-44 mainline bridges over Deep Fork Creek between I-235 and Western Ave. in Oklahoma City along with two contracts in Garvin County: A $2.2 million bridge rehabilitation on I-35 over Short Creek near Paoli and a nearly $7 million bridge replacement on US-77 near Pauls Valley.
Commissioners voted to award 14 contracts totaling more than $25 million to improve highways, roads and bridges in 10 counties. Contracts were awarded for projects in Beckham, Cleveland, Ellis, Garvin, McCurtain, Mayes, Oklahoma, Seminole, Tulsa and Wagoner counties.A list of all awarded contracts may be found by visiting www.odot.org/contracts, selecting the August 2018 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 commission’s next meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1.
Contracts, bid information, the commission’s monthly agenda and project details can be viewed at www.odot.org.
Unveiling new public-use electric vehicle charging stations:
Gov. Mary Fallin joined the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in cutting the "green" ribbon on its newly installed, public-use electric vehicle charging stations at ODOT’s main office in Oklahoma City before its monthly Transportation Commission meeting Sept. 10. The department is the first state agency to have installed such stations in the State Capitol Complex.
Pictured from left to right: Jeremy Conway, ODOT Division 5; Tyler Helps, Spiers New Technology; Brian Enis, Spiers New Technology; District 4 Commissioner Greg Love; District 6 Commissioner Bobby Alexander; Commission Vice-Chairman Brad Burgess; Gov. Mary Fallin; District 5 Commissioner Todd Huckabay; Commission Chairman David Burrage; District 1 Commissioner John Fidler; ODOT Executive Director Mike Patterson; District 3 Commissioner Dan Overland; District 8 Commissioner Bob Peterson and Chase Angier, ODOT Bridge Division.
I-44 bridges between I-235 and Western Ave. in Oklahoma City
At their Sept. 10 meeting, members of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission awarded 14 projects in 11 counties for a total of $25 million. Among those projects is a $6 million bridge rehabilitation and creek bank stabilization project on I-44 between I-235 and Western Ave. in Oklahoma City estimated to begin in early 2019.
(Editors and News Directors: For more information, call the ODOT Media and Public Relations Division at 405-521-6000.)
