OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s recent meeting include adoption of the updated five-year County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Plan, an update on the final phase of the “Off-Broadway” I-235/I-44 interchange project, and a contract to resurface 5 miles of I-40 near Shawnee.

The commission voted to approve the annual update to the CIRB Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2025 through 2029. The plan includes $863 million for reconstruction or rehabilitation of 176 county bridges and improvements to 408 miles of county roads during the next five years. The CIRB program uses designated state funding administered by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) combined with federal, local, and tribal funds for the highest priority county transportation projects. The plan is updated annually in partnership between county commissioners, their Circuit Engineering Districts, and ODOT.

“The CIRB is representative of good investment opportunities on the county road system and has become instrumental in helping the commissioners make progress on their bridges and roads,” ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz said.

Gatz updated the commissioners on the final phase of the I-235/I-44 interchange reconstruction project currently underway. Encouraging drivers to stay “Off-Broadway,” while under construction, this particular project began in May 2023, will connect the westbound I-44 on-ramp from Lincoln Boulevard and northbound Lincoln Boulevard to US-77/Broadway Extension, and is anticipated to finish late August. This is the fifth and final phase of a $240 million interchange reconfiguration and widening project that began in 2011.

Commissioners approved a project to resurface nearly 5 miles of I-40 from US-177 east to Shawnee. The $2.8 million project was awarded to Haskell Lemon and is estimated to start in August, finishing up by the end of October. Crews anticipate minimal impact to drivers, as work will occur during the overnight hours.

Commissioners voted to award 14 contracts totaling $104 million to improve interstates, highways, and bridges statewide.

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.