ODOT: cities, counties may highlight Route 66 with new pavement markings

ODOT: CITIES, COUNTIES MAY HIGHLIGHT ROUTE 66 WITH NEW PAVEMENT MARKINGS

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is facilitating cities and counties along historic Route 66 to offer them a new way to spruce up their section of the historic highway ahead of the Mother Road’s 2026 centennial.

ODOT’s Traffic Division recently released pavement marking guidelines to local governments that have sections of Route 66 on state or federal highways within their jurisdiction. Several cities statewide have asked for a way to additionally highlight their section of the route and are now welcome to use this guidance to begin the process of adding pavement markings.

“I appreciate the enthusiasm of cities and towns along Route 66 who are looking for more ways to highlight their connection to this storied route. I also appreciate ODOT’s efforts in making these new pavement markings happen. These are another visual guide to help motorists know they are on track along one of the most traveled routes in our nation’s history,” said Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell. “We want those who visit the state’s more than 400 miles of the historic route to feel the connection from city to city and these pavement markings just add to that effort.”

The 21-foot by 8-foot black and white markings will be approved by the department for the historical alignment of Route 66 and will be done in partnership with cities and counties. Each entity will pay for pavement markings in their area. For safety, the markings are intended for installation on sections with a speed of 35 mph or less and they cannot be spaced any closer than one per lane per mile.

ODOT awards $75M, 2-year contract to replace US-62 bridge over Arkansas River at Muskogee

Heads-up, Muskogee and Fort Gibson: travel over the Arkansas River will be a bit more crowded over the next couple years.

I'm excerpting a longer press release to focus in on the local impacts from this week's Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting (read the full press release here):

US-62 bridges over the Arkansas River in Muskogee

ODOT launches work zone safety campaign; nearly $130 million in contracts awarded

Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, April 4, meeting include unveiling of a spring work zone safety awareness campaign by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, an update on federal transportation funding following recent congressional action and consideration of programming items for future traffic safety and highway signage projects. Contracts were awarded for major projects on US-62 in Muskogee County, US-259 in McCurtain County and US-69 in Atoka and Bryan counties.  

[...]

Commissioners awarded contracts for several major highway improvements in Eastern Oklahoma, including a nearly $75 million project to reconstruct the US-62 bridges over the Arkansas River in Muskogee. The twin bridges span the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, also known as Marine Highway M-40, which supports waterborne freight traffic moving in and out of Oklahoma ports. Construction of the replacement structures will include pier protections around bridge support members in the river. 

Drive Oklahoma mobile app navigates users to more real-time travel information

Drive Oklahoma mobile app navigates users to more real-time travel information

The Drive Oklahoma mobile travel app and its companion website now offer motorists an upgraded travel experience with the addition of several enhanced navigation tools and options to better check traffic on interstates, U.S. and state highways as well as Oklahoma turnpikes before venturing out.

Through a partnership of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, the Drive Oklahoma mobile app and www.oktraffic.org provide several travel services such as real-time speed data, live traffic camera views of many Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro locations, Digital Message Sign information by location, real-time weather radar information and more. The updated versions of the app and website also offer a tutorial of the new features.

“Both ODOT and OTA are committed to improving motorists’ experience on our highways and turnpikes. Upgrading the Drive Oklahoma mobile app and the website puts more modern and user-friendly tools in drivers’ toolkits to help them achieve a safer trip each and every time they head out,” said Terri Angier, Oklahoma Transportation spokeswoman. “We encourage motorists to use these additional mobile app features to plan their routes before getting behind the wheel or ask their passengers to navigate for them.”

The mobile app debuted new branding, the name Drive Oklahoma and added real-time turnpike speed data in 2020. Now, just ahead of summer travel, additional upgrades include:

State’s first public transit plan delivered to Legislature; goal is mobility for all Oklahomans

Pictured, from left, are Sen. Michael Bergstrom, Rep. Avery Frix, OTA Chief Executive Officer Mark Nestlen, Rep. Carol Bush and Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz.

State’s first public transit plan delivered to Legislature; goal is mobility for all Oklahomans  

The wheels are in motion on improved public transit in Oklahoma after more than one year of coordination by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Transit Association, along with transit agencies statewide to develop the state’s first transit plan. During a special ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 10, the completed Oklahoma Public Transit Policy Plan was delivered by ODOT and OTA to legislative leaders from the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives on the steps of the state Capitol.

The comprehensive, statewide plan outlines the goals, strategies, objectives and priorities to make Oklahoma a Top Ten state for public transit by 2040. Highlights include identification of the existing gap in funding for transit based on current and future projected needs, a strategic investment schedule outlining the best use of funds for the next 20 years and an in-depth examination of transit funding options used by peer states.

“Completion of the state’s first transit plan is a milestone achievement in moving Oklahoma toward becoming a Top Ten State for all modes of transportation,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “Thanks to the input from transit providers and users, we now have a roadmap for modernizing transit services and ensuring mobility for all Oklahomans.”

“While ODOT has incorporated public transit in long-range planning efforts before, I’ve never seen it done to this level in my thirty years with the state,” Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz said. “I’m grateful for the leadership of President Pro Tem Treat and Speaker McCall as well as the Senate and House transportation committees throughout this process of bringing everyone to the table and developing this plan.”

“Passage of HB 1365 set forth an opportunity to modernize a more efficient and effective public transit system in Oklahoma that will operate seamlessly statewide within and between rural communities and urban cities,” said OTA Chief Executive Officer Mark Nestlen. "Oklahoma’s transit system is currently near the bottom, but full implementation of this first ever statewide transit plan will elevate Oklahoma to a Top Ten state in public transit and ensure the mobility needs of all Oklahomans are met in a safe, economical and coordinated manner."

The plan focuses on currently available transit services: public bus, van and streetcar. Goals over the next 20 years are meeting critical needs by 2025, expanding service by 2030, meeting the benchmark by 2035 and reaching mobility for all by 2040.

Creation of the Oklahoma Public Transit Policy Plan by ODOT and OTA was a key piece of House Bill 1365, which was enacted in 2019 to modernize public transportation by creating the Office of Mobility and Public Transit at ODOT and reforming administration of state and federal funding for transit programs by ODOT.

The transit plan was developed through stakeholder and public input from the transit industry and users. This included numerous meetings with a steering committee of transit leaders, site visits and interviews with transit operators and participation by partner agencies, government officials and advocates. The department also hosted several regional public meetings and administered an online public survey that received more than 2,000 responses. 

The Oklahoma Public Transit Policy Plan can be viewed at www.oktransitplan.org.

What legislative leaders are saying about the Oklahoma Public Transit Policy Plan:

“Public transit and mobility are very important not only to our metro areas, but also rural communities and tribal nations in Oklahoma,” Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said. “Just like we’ve made major progress on our highway system thanks to long-range planning and goal-setting, this first transit plan sets the stage for improved public transportation that will benefit our economy and the health and quality-of-life of Oklahomans statewide.”  

“The transit plan gives us the ability to address long-term needs and solutions in a comprehensive way,” Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman said. “This collaboration will help us ensure we are identifying and maximizing resources and developing goals that will help us address critical transportation needs in both rural and urban Oklahoma for decades to come.” Standridge is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and sponsored House Bill 1365 in the Senate.  

“It’s important that all Oklahomans have the benefits of the mobility public transit provides,” said State Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa, the principal author of HB 1365. “This not only gives people access to employment, healthcare and services but it improves our local and state economies.”

“This legislation helped us modernize our public transit policy as well as ensure better coordination between state agencies so that transportation dollars could be delivered more efficiently where they are needed,” Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, said. Frix chairs the House Transportation Committee and was a co-author of the bill.

ODOT reminds candidates that campaign signs don’t belong along highways

 ODOT reminds candidates to obey the law and keep campaign signs away from highways

As the Nov. 3 general election approaches, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation reminds political candidates and volunteers to stay safe, save taxpayer money and keep Oklahoma’s highways and interstates free of unsightly, damaging and costly litter by keeping campaign signs out of highway rights-of-way.

Placing campaign signs to help promote candidates may be a regular occurrence, but the areas along highways or on bridges remain off-limits. State law strictly prohibits such signs from being placed in state rights-of-way because of safety concerns. Not only can illegally placed signs block drivers’ views at intersections, medians or ramps, but the sign placement endangers volunteers who try to post them along high-speed roadways or on bridges. Generally, the public right-of-way includes the area of grass between a highway and the nearby fence. In cities and towns, the right-of-way can extend past the curb to include the grass and sidewalk area along a highway.

“We ask all candidates and their supporters to respect the law and protect our motorists and workers by not placing campaign signs on state highway rights-of-way and bridges,” ODOT Maintenance Engineer Taylor Henderson said.

The best strategy for safe, legal politicking is for candidates to place signs on private property with the landowner’s permission. Inside city limits, candidates should check local ordinances for questions regarding municipal streets and rights-of-way. However, even within city limits, signs are prohibited on state-maintained highways, overpasses and bridges.

When signs are illegally placed, ODOT crews spend time away from other highway maintenance operations to remove them, which can be time-consuming, hazardous and dangerous work close to oncoming traffic. Removal of litter, including illegal signs, also delays highway mowing since the signs and metal posts could damage state equipment.

Each year, nearly $6 million in taxpayer dollars are spent by the department to pick up trash along Oklahoma highways, including illegally placed signs. This money comes out of ODOT’s maintenance budget, the same source of funds for patching potholes, repairing guardrail, mowing and clearing snow and ice. This expense is in addition to the untold amounts of time and money volunteer groups and local governments spend annually removing litter.

The department reminds candidates to obey the law and keep campaign signs off Oklahoma bridges and highway rights-of-way.

OCPA column: Private sector forces create a government success

Private sector forces create a government success

By Jonathan Small

After having been at the bottom of the barrel, Oklahoma now ranks in the top 10 for bridge conditions, according to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration. That success is the result not of government, but primarily of private-sector forces. And similar improvement can be generated elsewhere by taking advantage of market forces and the benefits of competition.

In 2004, nearly 1,200 of Oklahoma’s 6,800 highway bridges were considered structurally deficient. Today, only 86 highway bridges are considered structurally deficient, and each is already scheduled for improvements through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Eight-Year Construction Plan.

Increased funding was a component of that successful turnaround—but only one component. The more important factor was reliance on private-sector competition to generate improvement.

How? The state’s eight-year road plan has an equal emphasis on performance and outcomes, along with funding. Notably, ODOT uses state funds to pay private entities to perform the work. That’s not a minor detail.

Frix, Transportation Committee comment on OK's Top 10 bridge status

Frix, Transportation Committee Comment on Top Ten Bridge Status

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, chair of the House Transportation Committee, and other Republican members of the committee today issued a joint statement on the announcement by Gov. Kevin Stitt that the state is now ranked ninth in the nation for the status of highway bridge conditions, according to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration. This includes interstates, U.S. highways and state highways that are ODOT’s responsibility.

“Since Republicans took the majority in the Legislature more than a decade ago, we have made transportation a priority,” Frix said. “We’ve worked diligently each year to fully fund our Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight-year plan and our County Infrastructure for Roads and Bridges plan to maintain state and rural roadways and to repair or replace hundreds of structurally deficient or obsolete bridges throughout the state. Today’s news that we have achieved top ten status for the condition of our ODOT-maintained highway bridges is a fantastic endorsement of our commitment.

Oklahoma bridges now ranked in Top 10 nationally

Gov. Kevin Stitt and Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz, left, announced Thursday that Oklahoma has moved into the Top 10 in nationwide good bridge conditions. Oklahoma now ranks ninth in the nation after more than 15 years of targeted efforts to decrease the number of structurally deficient bridges on the state highway system.

Oklahoma bridges go from worst to best

State nabs Top 10 national ranking for good conditions

Oklahoma highway bridge conditions are making the grade by moving from among the worst in the nation to the head of the class, achieving Top 10 status for the first time by ranking ninth, according to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration.

The state was as low as 49th place in 2004 in national bridge condition rankings due to the number of structurally deficient bridges on the state highway system.

“Top Ten isn’t just a slogan — it is the vision that helps form and guide our road map to improving state government and changing the future of all 4 million Oklahomans for the better,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “Transportation is the backbone of the economy, and this designation shows Oklahoma is a new national leader in highway bridge infrastructure thanks to the dedication of ODOT employees and an unprecedented investment in our bridges by the Legislature.”

ODOT reminds candidates that campaign signs don’t belong along highways

ODOT reminds candidates that campaign signs don’t belong along highways

As the 2020 election season shifts into high gear approaching the summer, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is reminding political candidates and volunteers to not jeopardize safety and to do their part in saving taxpayer money and keeping Oklahoma’s highways and interstates free of unsightly litter.

Placing yard signs to help promote candidates may be a long-standing tradition in Oklahoma politics, but the areas along highways or on bridges are off-limits. State law actually prohibits such signs from being placed in state rights-of-way due to safety concerns. In addition to potentially blocking drivers’ views at intersections or ramps, illegal sign placement endangers volunteers who try to post them along high-speed roadways or on bridges. Generally, the public right-of-way includes the area of grass between a highway and the nearest fence.

The best strategy for safe and legal politicking is for candidates to place signs on private property with the landowner’s permission. Inside city limits, candidates should check local ordinances for questions regarding municipal streets and rights-of-way. However, even within city limits, signs are prohibited on state-maintained highways, overpasses and bridges.

When signs are illegally placed, ODOT crews spend time away from other highway maintenance operations to pull them out of the ground, which can be time-consuming and hazardous. Removal of litter, including illegal signs, also delays highway mowing since the signs and posts could potentially damage state equipment.

Each year, nearly $6 million is spent by the department to pick up trash along Oklahoma highways, including illegally placed signs. This money comes out of ODOT’s maintenance budget, the same source of funds for patching potholes, repairing guardrail, mowing and clearing snow and ice. This expense is in addition to the untold amounts of time and money volunteer groups and local governments spend removing litter.

Candidates are reminded that it is illegal (69 O.S. § 1208 (b)) to place signs inside state rights-of-way, which includes the area along highways or on bridges. In this photo from 2018, ODOT maintenance workers pause mowing operations to remove a large campaign sign from along the highway.

Proposed "Trump Highway" moved to Panhandle, bill passes committee

Remember several weeks back when State Sens. Nathan Dahm and Marty Quinn authored bills to rename a portion of Route 66 after President Trump and create Make America Great Again/Keep America Great license plates? There's some new news on those bills.

Both have had some significant changes, and both passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee yesterday.

SB1089 originally was going to name a several mile stretch of Route 66 in Ottawa County the President Donald J. Trump Highway. There was significant pushback from local elected officials who decried the effort. The location of the highway renaming has been moved from the far northeast corner of the state to the far northwest corner, to a 20-mile section of Highway 287 in Cimarron County.

ALTHOUGH.... I just noticed a potential problem with the Committee Substitute. It specifies State Highway 287 at Boise City. There is no State Highway 287 in Oklahoma. There is a U.S. Highway 287, which is the road they intended. Probably needs amending again if they want signs to actually go up.

The measure passed the Senate Transportation committee by a 5-4 vote.

The other bill authored by Dahm and Quinn originally created two new Trump campaign-themed license plates, a Make America Great Again plate and a Keep America Great plate. Sen. Dahm reports that both plates have now been combined into a single America First license plate.

SB1384 passed the Transportation committee with an 8-1 vote.

T.R.U.S.T. announces 2020 legislative agenda for Transportation

TRUST ANNOUNCES 2020 LEGISLATIVE GOALS

Eight-year highway and bridge construction plan top priority

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, January 31, 2020 – Transportation Revenues Used Strictly For Transportation (TRUST), an advocacy group dedicated to funding and restoring Oklahoma’s transportation infrastructure, announced its 2020 legislative agenda today with protection of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) eight-year highway and bridge construction plan once again its top priority.

While the final FY21 budget will not be finalized by the legislature until the final days of the legislative session, TRUST leaders emphasized the importance of continuing to invest in Oklahoma’s highways and bridges. 

“Since 2006, the legislature has steadily invested in Oklahoma’s transportation infrastructure, most notably upgrading and modernizing bridges and highways across the state, and taxpayers are enjoying the benefits,” said TRUST president Neal McCaleb, former state transportation secretary and director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.  TRUST continues to be an active participant at the state Capitol, and our members have worked closely with the legislature to make genuine progress to modernize our highway and bridge infrastructure. The legislature and executive branch deserve much credit for their vision and support.”

TRUST co-chairman and former Governor Frank Keating commented, “Having a first-rate transportation infrastructure system grows an economy. This is a fact. Oklahomans have benefitted from a steady re-investment of our four-lane highways and bridges, however major projects, such as addressing our two-lane state highways, are still needed across Oklahoma. I firmly believe transportation investment should always be a core priority of the legislative and executive branches, and I am confident the legislative leadership and Governor Stitt will continue to recognize its vital importance as well.”

“Transportation investment is not an overnight process, and past budget challenges created a tough environment at the state Capitol,” said Kell Kelly, TRUST co-chairman. “In order for Oklahoma’s transportation system to continue to progress TRUST members will again advocate to the legislature that all transportation-derived revenues, such as motor fuel taxes and motor vehicle fees, be allocated strictly for transportation purposes.  From addressing state and county surface infrastructure needs to advanced development of our turnpike system to continued highway safety improvements, Oklahoma is moving in the right direction. Private sector businesses locate where transportation systems allow growth and profit. Oklahoma’s location allows easy access to either coast, however businesses will shy away if our transportation network does not keep pace with Texas and other progressive states.  I urge Governor Stitt and the legislature to continue their support of the current infrastructure plans which are allowing Oklahoma to invest in a true 21st century transportation network.”

The TRUST agenda also includes restoring monies to the CIRB fund for county highway and bridge needs, restoring all motor fuel taxes and motor vehicle fees to transportation programs, completion of Oklahoma’s new ports-of-entry (weigh stations), formulating equitable, but not punitive, alternative transportation funding and long-term funding of the federal Highway Trust Fund.


TRUST is an advocacy group dedicated to restoring Oklahoma’s transportation infrastructure.  We are committed to creating a culture within Oklahoma government that values and adequately funds transportation as a core priority. Since 2005 TRUST has grown into a diverse coalition of statewide organizations representing banking, energy, agri-business, construction, chambers of commerce, public safety, transportation and concerned citizens. To learn more please visit restoreTRUST.org.

Assoc. of OK Gen'l Contractors comments on Stitt's proposal to merge ODOT, Turnpike Authority

The Association of Oklahoma General Contractors released the following statement Monday on the Governor's proposed consolidation of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

STATEMENT BY THE ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA GENERAL CONTRACTORS

"The Association of Oklahoma General Contractors (AOGC) is encouraged that the Governor wants to find ways to consolidate and streamline state government - especially when the focus is on improving transportation in Oklahoma. Although the bond markets may have a serious issue with a true "merger" between the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, we believe there are a tremendous amount of efficiencies that can be found by sharing services.

We would encourage the Governor to develop a working group of legislators, department leaders, engineers and contractors. The committee should look at ways to combine services, eliminate waste, incorporate technology, and possibly even consider moving towards a congressional division of districts by consolidating the current eight ODOT field divisions into five.

I commend the Governor's fresh new approach to making sure our state government is "right-sized." On behalf of all of Oklahoma's road and bridge builders, I look forward to working with him to make this a Top 10 State."  - AOGC Executive Director Bobby Stem

ODOT seeks input for next 25-year long range plan, invite public to take survey

ODOT seeks input for the next 25 years, public invited to take survey today

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is developing its 2020-2045 Long Range Transportation Plan and is inviting the public to get involved in the year-long process.

The federally required plan will establish transportation policies and priorities for the next 25 years for various modes of travel and commercial freight movement in the state including highway; passenger and freight rail; public transit; bicycle and pedestrian; ports and waterways and airport access. The plan doesn’t focus on specific projects like ODOT’s Eight-year Construction Work Plan, but rather encompasses overall transportation priorities and goals.

“There is a lot of interest in infrastructure right now nationwide and it’s critical for ODOT to get input from every community in the state to help update Oklahoma’s transportation plan for the future,” ODOT Deputy Director Dawn Sullivan said.

Oklahomans can visit www.oklongrangeplan.org to find out more about the plan’s development, view past plans and sign up to receive more information throughout the process. The department is also using an interactive, online engagement tool called MetroQuest to gather feedback using realistic transportation situations. The first opportunity to provide input via a MetroQuest survey at https://oklrtp.metroquest.com is available until Aug. 12. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and allows users to encourage fellow Oklahomans to participate through email and social media.

The agency will use the public’s input to document the condition of the existing system, analyze future needs and trends, evaluate how to meet those needs and develop related strategies and policies for the next 25 years. The department will come back to the public for additional input when Draft Plan recommendations are ready – expected to be in late spring 2020 – with an overall goal for the plan to be considered for adoption by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission in summer 2020. Following completion, the Long Range Transportation Plan will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.