Oklahoma DOT Launches $9B Construction Plan

The state's GDP has grown at an annualized rate of 3.9% over the last five years.

Source : Oklahoma DOT

October 21, 2024

Author : Patty Allen

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced an ambitious plan to overhaul the state’s highways and bridges, with nearly $9 billion set aside for the next eight years as part of its Eight-Year Construction Work Plan. 

Approved by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission during their meeting on October 7, this plan is expected to address a range of critical transportation needs, ensuring safer and more reliable infrastructure for residents across the state.

The plan, which covers Fiscal Years 2025-2032, is designed to tackle some of the state’s most pressing infrastructure challenges. It focuses heavily on addressing 632 bridges and improving nearly 3,800 miles of pavement, including 950 miles of two-lane highways that currently lack adequate shoulders. Safety improvements like these are central to the work plan, according to ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz, who emphasized the department’s continued focus on safety and reliability for Oklahoma’s roads.

One of the key challenges facing ODOT, however, is the sharp increase in construction costs. Gatz explained that the department has seen a 60% spike in costs since 2022, driven by inflation and a volatile economic climate. This has forced the agency to adjust its project timelines without eliminating any from the plan entirely. 

“We’re seeing some projects move around in the context of the delivery schedules, but overall, no projects were removed from the Plan,” Gatz noted, signaling the department’s commitment to delivering these vital improvements despite financial hurdles.

The Eight-Year Plan isn’t just about new construction- it’s also about preserving the state’s current infrastructure. The companion 2024-2027 Asset Preservation Plan was also adopted during the meeting, which sets aside nearly $500 million for preventative maintenance. This includes resurfacing roads, rehabilitating bridges, and sealing joints to extend the lifespan of Oklahoma’s highways and bridges. The Asset Preservation Plan addresses 276 projects, including 81 highway bridges and nearly 2,000 miles of pavement resurfacing.

At the same meeting, the commission also approved the largest highway contract in Oklahoma’s history- a $252 million project to continue the reconstruction of the I-44 and US-75 interchange in Tulsa. This is part of a broader interchange improvement project that began in 2021 and has already received significant federal support, including a $10 million RAISE grant and an $85 million “Mega” grant. 

The next phase of this project is set to begin in spring 2025, with an estimated completion timeline of about two and a half years.

In addition to the Tulsa project, the commission gave the green light to a $2.4 million bridge rehabilitation project along I-40 in Oklahoma City, where the east and westbound lanes pass over I-44. This project is also expected to begin in spring 2025 and will take about six months to complete.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission didn’t stop there. It also awarded 20 contracts totaling $292 million to improve various highways and bridges across the state. These include numerous projects designed to promote connectivity and active transportation, such as sidewalks, trails, and safe routes to school, through the Transportation Alternative Projects program. This program is set to distribute $35 million across 43 projects statewide.

Despite the challenges posed by rising costs, Oklahoma’s infrastructure improvements are progressing steadily. Gatz also briefed the commission on a federal highway funding appropriations bill, passed as part of a continuing resolution by Congress, which ensures federal funding will continue to flow through the end of December.

The public can access detailed information about ODOT’s various construction and preservation projects by visiting the ODOT website under the “Programs and Projects” tab. The next commission meeting is scheduled for November 4, and will be available for live viewing on Ustream.

Category : Department of Transportation State Government Freeways and Highways Public Works

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