OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s recent meeting include approval of an emergency repair contract for the U.S. 70 Roosevelt bridge causeway over Lake Texoma, review of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) preliminary budget, welcoming the new District 7 Commissioner, and recognition of the department’s annual Safety Excellence Awards.
Commissioners approved a nearly $5.5 million emergency contract to make repairs to the causeway leading up to the U.S. 70 Roosevelt bridge over Lake Texoma. The causeway in southeastern Oklahoma was severely damaged due to recent storms and flooding in the area. Engineers closed the bridge and causeway for assessment, and they determined it was safe to reopen to traffic with some restrictions. The bridge is safe and did not sustain damage.
“We understand how important U.S. 70 is across the southern portion of the state. We will — through our traffic advisory process and a lot of local engagement — keep the public up to speed on traffic conditions as we implement this fix for the causeway issue,” said Tim Gatz, Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director.
Emergency repairs will continue through July. Plans to replace the Roosevelt bridge and causeway are anticipated to begin in 2026.
Commissioners voted to approve the department’s preliminary $2.5 billion Budget Work Program for Fiscal Year 2026. The Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund received an additional deposit of $20 million from the Legislature, bringing its portion to $610 million. This will be an eight-year commitment focused on the construction and improvement of weigh stations.
| Your local Gomaco dealer |
|---|
| Clark Machinery |
Gatz and commissioners welcomed newly appointed District 7 Commissioner Paul Scott. Scott and his wife are owners of a mobile diagnostic service, and Scott previously served in the Oklahoma Legislature. He will represent the nine district counties of southwestern Oklahoma. Scott was appointed by Governor Stitt and fills the seat previously held by Steve LaForge, who passed away earlier this year.
The commission meeting also included presentation of ODOT’s safety awards, recognizing its nine districts and work units with the best safety ratings in 2024. The Governor’s Safety Excellence Award for the best overall record was given to District Six, which is based in Buffalo, Oklahoma. This award is presented to the district that has the overall best safety record for the year, demonstrating superior performance in leading the district’s safety program.
The Progressive Excellence Award for the most improved safety record was given to District Five, which is headquartered in Clinton, Oklahoma. Additionally, the Director’s Safety Excellence awards were given to the individual work units in each of ODOT’s field districts and the central office with the best safety performance.
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. Commissioners voted to award 29 contracts totaling $93.5 million to improve interstates, highways, and bridges statewide.
