New Transportation Plan Released

Last month the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) took action to approve the latest version of its eight year plan for improving state highways and bridges.

This is program has been very conscientiously funded by the Legislature over the past few years. Although I don’t always agree with the funding mechanisms used (I always oppose funding which involves the issuance of debt), I certainly agree that replacing dangerous bridges should be a foremost goal of state government.

This year’s plan includes the addition of several new area bridge replacement projects.

Major area projects on the current plan include the following.

In 2013 the effort to replace the Guthrie viaduct should be complete. The project is estimated to cost 6.3 million dollars.

Also, in 2013, ODOT plans to complete the replacement of the Seward road bridge over Interstate 35 at a cost of $3.7 million dollars.

The replacement of the Skeleton Creek bridge on State Highway 74 is scheduled for replacement in 2014 and will cost just shy of 2 million dollars.

The 2014 replacement of the Crow Creek bridge on State Highway 74 is estimated to cost nearly 2.4 million dollars.

Also, in 2014, ODOT is planning to replace a bridge on Highway 77 just south of Highway 74C at a cost of nearly 2.4 million dollars.

In 2016, ODOT plans to resurface Highway 33 from the Kingfisher/Logan County line 3.5 miles to the east. The project will include shoulder improvements. It is estimated to cost 7 million dollars.

This year’s plan includes the addition of the 2017 replacement of the Highway 77 bridge over the Cimarron River. Current estimates indicate this project will cost in the area of 7.3 million dollars.

The plan also calls for the replacement of the three Highway 51 bridges over Beaver Creek. This includes the 2017 replacement of the West and Middle Beaver Creek bridges for 6.6 million dollars and the 2018 replacement of the East Beaver Creek bridge for 13.8 million dollars.

The expansion of Highway 74 from 2 lanes to 4 lanes is another project which has captured the interest of many area residents. In 2012, ODOT is planning to complete the project from north of Memorial Road to the north by one mile and one-half miles at a cost of 27 million dollars. In 2015, the plan calls for the completion of the remainder of the section from Waterloo to Memorial for an additional 18 million dollars.

If you would like more information about these projects, their cost and the scope of the work please do not hesitate to contact me.