OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The Oklahoma Transportation Commission recently held a video teleconference meeting where Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz reported on the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) ongoing effort to improve public transit services by seeking stakeholder input on a transportation program for elderly and disabled Oklahomans that was placed under ODOT’s oversight last year.

He also noted that distribution of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding through ODOT to rural transit providers continues with about half of the funds committed so far. Gatz updated the commission on the Oklahoma Long Range Transportation Plan for 2020-2045, which identifies priorities and goals for all modes of travel for the next 25 years.

He also commented on the year-long Transportation Modernization Initiative to identify opportunities for shared resources between ODOT, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, and the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and highlighted the recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation of a more than $6-million federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant for the Tulsa Port of Catoosa for freight railroad improvements at the industrial park in Inola.

The commission gave its approval to a $14-million contract for construction of a brand-new interchange at I-40 and Frisco Road on the west side of Yukon. To make the Frisco Road project a reality, the City of Yukon is sharing in the cost of construction and assisted in design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation, in addition to widening Frisco Road to the interstate.

Commissioners voted to award a contract for rehabilitation of the SH-28 bridge at the Pensacola Dam between Disney and Langley in partnership with the Grand River Dam Authority, which owns and maintains the structure. The SH-28 bridge is the longest in the state and currently has a 16-ton load posting. The rehabilitation project will make critical repairs to the SH-28 bridge, dam, and two spillway bridges, removing the load posting on the route that crosses the Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees.

Also approved were contracts for bridge rehabilitation projects on I-44 at Pennsylvania Avenue and SH-152/Airport Road at I-44 in Oklahoma City, traffic signal installation on SH-51 at Evans Road near Broken Arrow, and construction of a segment of the Heritage Trail in partnership with the City of Duncan using federal and local funds.

Commissioners voted to award 19 contracts totaling more than $43 million to improve highways, roads, and bridges in 14 counties. Contracts were awarded for projects in Atoka, Caddo, Canadian, Custer, Grady, LeFlore, Lincoln, Marshall, Mayes, Oklahoma, Pontotoc, Rogers, Stephens, and Wagoner counties.