Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Executive Director Tim Gatz updated commissioners on the US-59 bridge that was hit by an errant barge. The bridge is on the eastern side of the Kerr Reservoir on the Sequoyah/LeFlore county line south of Sallisaw. ODOT Bridge Engineer Justin Hernandez assured commissioners the bridge was safe since it was built to heightened vessel impact standards to withstand such an event. Initial inspections concluded the damage was superficial, but Hernandez said a more thorough inspection will be made.
The commission also voted to award more than $8 million in federal funds to three private partners to build 13 electric vehicle charging stations as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The chargers will be built along I-35, I-40, and I-44. The goal of the NEVI plan is to reduce range anxiety for EV drivers nationwide and provide a charging station every 50 miles along Oklahoma interstates.
Commissioners approved a more than $40 million contract to construct a bridge on U.S. 75 over 141st Street in Glenpool as well as ramps, access roads, and protected turnarounds. Phased construction will build ramps and frontage roads first, followed by the bridge. Work is anticipated to begin this summer and take about a year. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on U.S. 75 at peak times. A broader corridor study is in the preliminary stages for U.S. 75 between SH-117 and SH-67.
Gatz advised commissioners about an upcoming bridge joint rehabilitation project on I-235 just north of I-40 in Oklahoma City. The many traffic movements in the area will make it a challenging work zone. Work is anticipated to finish in late summer. The contract is incentivized for early completion.
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Commissioners voted to award 27 contracts totaling more than $101 million to improve highways, roads, and bridges statewide.
