Oklahoma Governor: Stimulus Road Projects Kicking Off

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Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and state transportation officials announced that contracts soon will be awarded for $250 million in road and bridge projects, providing a boost to the Oklahoma economy.

The first phase of the economic stimulus program has projects in all areas of the state. The projects are in addition to those in the regular eight-year construction plan of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

“The federal stimulus funds will help make immediate improvements to Oklahoma’s highway system and boost job creation and economic activity in the process,” Henry said. “The big winners are Oklahoma motorists and the state economy.”

The projects will be outlined in what officials described as the biggest single transportation bid letting ever in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is getting $465 million overall from the stimulus package for road and bridge construction.

Gary Ridley said the timing of the bid letting will allow contractors to take advantage of the spring and summer months when weather-related delays are fewer.

Officials said the extra highway work will produce a significant number of jobs for the state, but Ridley did not hazard a guess as to how many.

Henry praised state transportation leaders for their efforts to line up “shovel ready” projects to meet federal guidelines.

“When it comes to moving quickly and efficiently to implement the stimulus package on transportation, Oklahoma has really led the way for the rest of the country,” Henry said.

More than 40 individual projects will be funded by the first round of stimulus spending at the state level.

The largest is for $34 million for pavement rehabilitation and bridge reconstruction on Interstate 40 in Muskogee County.

Next is $32.6 million for pavement work and bridge reconstruction on I-40 in Canadian County, $27.6 million for pavement rehabilitation on Interstate 35 in Garvin County and $24 million for pavement reconstruction on I-35 in Kay County.