Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Press Release
November 06, 2024
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Nov. 4, meeting include welcoming the new District 2 Commissioner, receiving a national pavement award, updating commissioners on Work Zone Safe law, recognizing Mobility Week and approving major construction projects on SH-37/4th St. in Moore and US-270 in Shawnee.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz and commissioners welcomed newly-appointed District 2 Commissioner Eric Stuteville. A Durant native with a distinguished career in the automotive business, he will represent the nine district counties of Southeastern Oklahoma. Commissioner Stuteville replaces James Grimsley who vacated the position in October having served since May 2019.
The Oklahoma Asphalt Pavement Association presented the national Asphalt Pavement Alliance’s 2023 Perpetual Pavement Award by Design to ODOT’s District 3. The nearly $18 million winning project was a pavement rehabilitation on I-40 near Okemah in Okfuskee County. This prestigious award honors exceptional long-life asphalt pavements in the U.S. that demonstrate outstanding design, exceptional quality and construction. The award is shared with Haskell Lemon Construction.
Gatz recognized Nov. 3 through Nov. 9 as Oklahoma Mobility Awareness Week. The campaign is a united effort by ODOT and its mobility service partners to promote awareness of safe transportation resources throughout Oklahoma. ODOT’s Mobility Management program connects transit providers with Oklahomans who have unmet transportation needs.
“We realize that not everyone has a car, and not everyone is aware of the transit resources offered around the state. ODOT and our partners want to raise awareness about these services so anyone with a need can potentially find an accommodating transportation service,” said Gatz. Program details and awareness campaign information can be found here.
The department is celebrating the one-year mark since becoming the first state to require a work zone and first responder safety training course for teen drivers. The Work Zone Safe course is designed to teach teens how to be confident, capable and safe drivers in work zones and show them that every decision they make behind the wheel can have an impact. Since becoming law, more than 63,500 Oklahoma teens have completed the program. Details and registration information can be found here.
The commission voted to approve a $30 million reconstruction project on SH-37/4th St. in Moore. Construction will remove an at-grade railroad crossing, create a new bridge over SH-37/4th St. with additional safety improvements. The project is anticipated to start in early 2025 and should be completed in summer 2026.
Also approved was a pavement rehabilitation project on US-270 nearly 2 miles south of I-40 extending southeast into Shawnee. Work will include pavement work along with intersection ramp and safety improvements at the Kickapoo Spur interchange. The $26 million contract is anticipated to begin in early 2025 and take about a year to complete.
Commissioners voted to award 20 contracts totaling $183 million to improve interstates, highways and bridges statewide. The public may access a list of all awarded contracts at the ODOT Business Center and by selecting the October lettings.
The next Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2. The meeting will be available to view live via Ustream and past meetings are available on Vemeo.
View the full article: Oklahoma.gov
Comments