Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s February 3, meeting include a briefing on the federal funding continuing resolution and reception of an industry award along with approval of a widening project on SH-33 near Langston and resurfacing projects on I-35 and US-69.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz updated commissioners on the recent deposit of federal funds from a Continuing Resolution authorized through mid-March. This funding allows projects to be awarded in the short term and only gave about 45 percent of the department’s total federal fiscal year appropriations, lending uncertainty to future award lettings. Gatz assured commissioners this action is a routine part of the appropriations process and is not related to the Trump administration’s recent executive order directing the USDOT to evaluate all of the grant programs.
“Our contracts that are regular formula funds and previously authorized grant funds are proceeding. Reimbursements are on schedule and on track.
“The department has been the recipient of a lot of federal grants that will come to bear on projects. However, we are confident that our priorities align with the national infrastructure goals and that we will continue to have access to those revenues,” said Gatz
ODOT was presented with a statewide award from the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors. The industry group honored ODOT’s District 4 Yukon Residency with the 2024 Pharaoh Award for the US-281/Route 66 Bridgeport “Pony” Bridge in Canadian County, completed in advance of the 2026 Route 66 Centennial Celebration. The Pharaoh Award is presented for the highest quality bridge structure in the state of Oklahoma in the past year.
The $35 million, year-and-a-half-long project featured a number of improvements to the iconic bridge including widening the bridge, pouring new concrete for a smoother driving surface, refurbishing the original trusses and building a new parking and observation area. The department shares this honor with OBC, Inc. and STV.
Commissioners approved several contracts for new projects, among them a $36 million project to complete widening on US-177 between Langston in Logan County and US-177 in Payne County, adding four bridges. This project comes on the heels of another in which the area was prepared for expansion. The projects will complete the widening of the corridor between Perkins and Guthrie and will also improve safety, visibility and site distance.
Commissioners also approved resurfacing projects on I-35 and US-69. The $16 million, seven-mile resurfacing project on I-35 between Wynnewood and Davis is expected to begin in late Spring and take about four months with lane closures overnight. Also awarded was a nearly $30 million project for resurfacing 5.5 miles of US-69 between Muskogee and Wagoner with rehabilitation to two bridges over the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Work will begin in late Spring and take about a year to complete. Traffic will be down to one lane in each direction during construction. Drivers can view or subscribe to receive traffic advisories by email at www.oklahoma.gov/odot or follow ODOT on X or Facebook.
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 35 contracts totaling nearly $135 million to improve interstates, highways and bridges statewide. The public may access a list of all awarded contracts at the ODOT Business Center https://oklahoma.gov/odot/business-center/contracts-and-proposals.html.
The next Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, March 3. The meeting will be available to view live via Ustream and past meetings are available on YouTube and vimeo.com/odot.
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At February’s Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation was presented with a statewide award from the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors. The industry group honored ODOT’s District 4 Yukon Residency with the 2024 Pharaoh Award for the US-281/Route 66 Bridgeport “Pony” Bridge in Canadian County, completed in advance of the 2026 Route 66 Centennial Celebration. The Pharaoh Award is presented for the highest quality bridge structure in the state of Oklahoma in the past year. Pictured are Mark Willy, OBC; Haley Duit, OBC; Joshua Lee, Duit; Don Freymiller, District 4 Oklahoma Transportation commissioner; Tim Gatz, ODOT executive director; third-generation transportation pioneer Kent Pharaoh; Zachary Holt, ODOT District 4 Yukon Residency; Marcus Dixson, ODOT District 4 Yukon resident engineer; Brian Taylor, ODOT chief engineer; David Neuhauser, STV; Jason Giebler, ODOT Bridge Division engineer.
The US-281/Route 66 Bridgeport “Pony” Bridge in Canadian County won the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s District 4 Yukon Residency the 2024 Pharaoh Award. The award from the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors was presented at the February Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting.
Source: ODOT press release
