OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s recent meeting include the introduction of a safety campaign regarding severe weather preparation, approval of transportation interagency agreement, and the awarding of contracts for projects such as the widening of US-270 Northwest Passage connecting Woodward and Oklahoma City, resurfacing US-60 in Osage County, and I-40 countermeasures for wrong-way driving between Oklahoma City and the Arkansas state line.

Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz highlighted the need for the public to prepare for upcoming winter weather and to use good judgment when deciding whether to travel during winter storms. Gatz noted that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is prepared with fully-stocked salt sheds and equipment ready to perform snow and ice removal. As part of an ongoing safety education awareness effort, ODOT and OTA are sharing reminders on social media about driver safety and severe weather preparation.

Commissioners voted to approve an interagency agreement of shared personnel services between ODOT and OTA as part of the modernization efforts in the transportation cabinet. This agreement serves as a framework for cost sharing when agencies share services.

The commission voted to award a more than $12-million contract for the next phase of reconstruction and widening of the US-270 Northwest Passage in Dewey County, which is part of an ongoing effort to connect Woodward and Central Oklahoma with a four-lane highway. Commissioners also approved contracts for the installation of I-40 countermeasures to prevent wrong-way drivers between Oklahoma City and the Arkansas state line and a nearly $5-million contract to reconstruct five miles of US-60 near Osage Hills State Park in Osage County.

Commissioners voted to award 32 contracts totaling $95 million to improve highways, roads, and bridges in 29 counties. Contracts were awarded for projects in Adair, Canadian, Cleveland, Coal, Cotton, Creek, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garvin, Grant, Greer, Kingfisher, Latimer, Lincoln, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Sequoyah, Texas, Tulsa, Wagoner, and Washita counties.

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.