December Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: Commission approves $6 billion highway plan, inaugural Transit Plan moves to governor, Legislature; $97 million in contracts awarded
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 10, 2020
Press Release # 20-036
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Dec. 7, meeting include commission approval of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Eight-year Construction Work Plan and a briefing on its Asset Preservation Plan; approval of the new Oklahoma Public Transit Policy Plan; and an update on the federal funding outlook. Contracts were awarded for projects on SH-20 in Tulsa County, SH-33/3 in Blaine County and Robinson Ave. in Cleveland County.
The commission voted to approve ODOT's Eight-year Construction Work Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2021-2028, which contains $6 billion in projects on state bridges and highways during the next eight years.
"While 2020 has been quite a challenge - we have faced budgetary challenges in addition to a global pandemic - we still managed to produce a strong and substantial Eight-year Construction Work Plan that will provide a framework for much needed safety improvements to our transportation infrastructure," Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz said.
Updated annually, the plan takes into account area needs and prioritizes projects based on available state and federal funding. To review the 1,350 projects statewide, click here to open the Eight-year Construction Plan.
A companion piece to the Eight-year Construction Plan, the four-year Asset Preservation Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2024, was presented to commissioners. The $470 million plan focuses on key maintenance projects to extend the lifespan of highway pavement and bridges. Click here for more on the Asset Preservation Plan.
Also approved was the Oklahoma Public Transit Policy Plan, which is being delivered to the governor and Legislature. The first of its type in state history, the plan outlines mobility priorities and transit funding needs for the next 20 years. To view the final plan, click here.
Gatz briefed commissioners on federal budget negotiations as the current continuing resolution funding government programs is set to expire Friday, Dec. 11. Congress is anticipated to vote on the extension this week which would move the deadline to just before the holiday to Dec. 18.
The commission also voted to award a $44 million realignment project on SH-20 at Keetonville Hill between Owasso and Claremore, a nearly $12 million project to add paved shoulders to SH-33/SH-3 near Watonga and a $5 million intersection improvement project on Robinson St. west of I-35 in Norman. Construction will start on these projects in early 2021.
Commissioners voted to award 20 contracts totaling $97 million to improve highways, roads and bridges in 19 counties. Contracts were awarded for projects in Atoka, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Cleveland, Creek, Custer, Garvin, Grady, LeFlore, McCurtain, Major, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Rogers, Seminole, Sequoyah, Tulsa and Washita counties. A list of all awarded contracts may be found by visiting www.odot.org/contracts, selecting the November 2020 AM letting, clicking Go, then Award.
A quorum of the commission met in person and others via teleconference to have social distancing in place as a precaution due to COVID-19. A recording of this meeting may be viewed online at https://vimeo.com/odot.
The nine-member Oklahoma Transportation Commission, appointed by the governor and legislative leadership to oversee the state’s transportation development, awards contracts for road and bridge construction monthly.
Next month’s Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11, and will have a quorum while observing social distancing. The meeting also will be available to view live on the web.
Contracts, bid information, the commission’s monthly agenda and project details can be viewed at www.odot.org.
(Editors and News Directors: For questions, please call the ODOT Media & Public Relations Division at 405-521-6000.)
At its Monday, Dec. 7, meeting, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission voted to award a $44 million contract for a widening and realignment project on SH-20 at Keetonville Hill between Owasso and Claremore.
At its Monday, Dec. 7, meeting, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission voted to approve ODOT's Eight-year Construction Work Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2021-2018, which contains $6 billion in projects on state bridges and highway during the next eight years. A project included in that plan is an estimated $7 million pavement rehabilitation on I-35 between I-44 and the John Kilpatrick Turnpike in Oklahoma City in FFY 2021. While ODOT recently performed routine maintenance work on the I-35 bridges at Britton Rd., this project will address the pavement condition along that 4-mile stretch.
At its Monday, Dec. 7 meeting, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission voted to approve ODOT's Eight-year Construction Work Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2021-2018 which contains $6 billion in projects on state bridges and highway over the next eight years. Included are 1,350 projects statewide addressing 609 bridges through rehabilitation or replacement and nearly 1,900 miles of roadway improvements, which includes more than 800 miles of two-lane highway safety improvements on rural two-lane highways with deficient or no shoulders.
