September Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: Oklahoma improves Top Ten state bridge ranking; two-lane highway improvements to be accelerated; $42 million in contracts awarded
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 9, 2021
Press Release #21-031
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Tuesday, Sept. 7, meeting include an announcement of the state’s continued bridge progress; discussion of safety issues, such as rail crossings; and a vote to authorize the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to pursue a state bond sale and secure federal funding for rural two-lane highway improvements. Commissioners awarded contracts for work on SH-33 in Payne County, I-244 and SH-51 in Tulsa County and US-54 in Texas County.
Secretary of Transportation and Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz briefed the commission on Oklahoma’s progress on bridge conditions in the past year, with the state meeting its target of less than 1 percent of all state-maintained bridges rated structurally deficient. According to national bridge inspection data collected by the Federal Highway Administration in 2020, this improves Oklahoma’s Top Ten ranking from No. 9 to No. 7 in the nation for best bridge conditions. This represents an amazing turnaround from 2004, when Oklahoma was 49th in the nation with 1,168 of its 6,800 highway bridges then rated structurally deficient.
Gatz highlighted several pressing safety topics, including the upcoming observance of Rail Safety Week from Sept. 20-26 in partnership with the Oklahoma Railroad Association and Operation Lifesaver. While Oklahoma Transportation continues to make safety improvements to rail crossings statewide, Gatz noted Oklahomans must heed the warning signs at rail crossings to prevent tragic collisions with trains. During the month, Oklahoma Transportation also will focus on the dangers of impaired driving, which includes educational and safety messaging about the effects of alcohol, cannabis, prescription drugs and driving while drowsy.
Numerous improvements to rural two-lane highways with deficient shoulders will be fast-tracked thanks to the commission’s vote to authorize ODOT to seek low-interest federal loans for construction. Through the U.S. Department of Transportation, the department can accelerate two-lane projects already listed in the Eight-Year Construction Work Plan. Using this innovative funding strategy, Oklahoma will be one of the first states in the nation to take advantage of a rural Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan through USDOT’s Rural Projects Initiative.
Commissioners voted to award a nearly $19 million contract for reconstruction of two miles of SH-33 in Cushing, which includes upgrades to the intersection with SH-18 to improve the safe flow of commercial trucks coming in and out of “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World.” They also awarded a contract for preventative maintenance work on several city street bridges over I-244 in Tulsa and SH-51 in Broken Arrow, as well as the first phase of US-54 pavement reconstruction between Tyrone and the Kansas state line in the Panhandle.
Commissioners voted to award 14 contracts totaling $42 million to improve highways, roads and bridges in 22 counties. A list of all awarded contracts may be found at www.odot.org/contracts by selecting the August 2021 a.m. letting, clicking Submit, then Award at the bottom of the page.
The public can view a recording of the meeting 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 monthly for road and bridge construction.
The next Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4. The meeting will be available to view live on the web.
Contracts, bid information, the commission’s monthly agenda and project details may be viewed at www.odot.org.
At the Tuesday, Sept. 7, meeting, members of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission learned that less than 1 percent of all state-maintained bridges are rated structurally deficient, according to the latest inspection data from the Federal Highway Administration. This improves Oklahoma’s Top Ten State ranking from No. 9 to No. 7 in the nation for best bridge conditions. The number of structurally deficient bridges on the highway system has steadily decreased from an all-time high of 1,168 in 2004 down to 67 in 2020.
The US-81/I-40 Business bridge leading into El Reno is an example of a structurally deficient bridge reconstruction project that is helping Oklahoma rise in the national rankings for good bridge conditions. This nearly $10 million project is close to completion.
At the Tuesday, Sept. 7, meeting of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission, Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz reminded commissioners that Rail Safety Week takes place Sept. 20-26 and is a nationwide effort to bring attention to the responsibility drivers and pedestrians have when encountering a railroad crossing. Oklahoma Transportation will be sharing safety messages on its social media accounts during Rail Safety Week in partnership with the Oklahoma Railroad Association and Operation Lifesaver.
