The Journal Record
by D. Ray Tuttle
Published: October 5th, 2010
TULSA – Oklahoma has replaced or rehabilitated 531 bridges in the last five years – more than in any 10-year period in state history, said Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley.
Ridley and senior officials from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s top management team provided a comprehensive transportation update at the Tulsa Metro Chamber on Tuesday.
“Orange barrels are a sign of progress,” said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber. “There are pros and cons with construction. The ‘con’ is the inconvenience, but the ‘pro’ is that it will eventually get done and it will be fantastic when it is done.”
ODOT has targeted another 650 bridges for replacement or rehabilitation, Ridley said.
“That is a huge step in the right direction,” Ridley said.
Over the next eight years, from 2011 through 2018, the state Transportation Department plans to complete 1,757 projects, at a cost of $4.2 billion. Oklahoma will pay for 40 percent of the cost, or $1.68 billion. The federal government will pick up the tab on the remaining $2.53 billion, or 60 percent, Ridley said... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Tue, October 5, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski