The Oklahoma Transportation Commission met on September 8 to discuss several key initiatives and approve new projects. A main topic was the launch of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) “Never Skip the Click” campaign, aimed at increasing seat belt use across the state. Deputy Director Dawn Sullivan described it as a collaborative effort with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, public safety officials, and community advocates. “The ‘Never Skip the Click’ campaign is a group effort with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, public safety and community advocates across Oklahoma to turn a two-second decision into a life-saving habit to buckle up every time. Oklahoma currently ranks 44th in the nation for seat belt usage. More information on the campaign can be found at drivesafetyoklahoma.com,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan also reported that ODOT recently received two regional awards. The department won the Best Product Award from ITS Heartland Chapter for its Dynamic Message Sign Control app, which helps manage message boards statewide for quicker response times. In addition, ODOT’s Rural Two-Lane Advancement and Management Plan (RAAMP) received top honors in America’s Transportation Awards for improving safety on rural highways by adding shoulders and enhancing high-risk areas.
Commissioners approved memorial sign installations statewide, including naming an interchange at I-35 and E. 33rd in Edmond as the “Ambassador Neal McCaleb Memorial Interchange.” The sign honors former Secretary of Transportation Neal McCaleb, who died in January 2025 after decades of service with ODOT, the Chickasaw Nation, and other government roles. “At Monday’s monthly Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting, commissioners approved several memorial designations, among them the ‘Ambassador Neal McCaleb Memorial Interchange’ at the I-35 and E. 33rd interchange in Edmond. The sign is in honor of former Transportation Secretary, ODOT and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Director McCaleb who passed away in January 2025.”
Several infrastructure projects were also approved during the meeting. These include more than $27 million for pavement rehabilitation on southbound US-69 near Chouteau—work that will start early next year through summer 2027—and $17 million to add shoulders and resurface six miles of SH-37 south of Idabel due to increased tourism traffic from Texas into Southeastern Oklahoma. Another project worth $23 million will widen lanes and add passing areas on SH-7 near Sulphur; construction is set to begin in early 2026.
The commission awarded a total of 25 contracts amounting to over $81 million for road and bridge improvements across Oklahoma this month. Details about these contracts are available online at ODOT Business Center or through PDF listings for recent lettings.
The nine-member commission oversees transportation development statewide under appointments from state leadership. Meetings occur monthly; upcoming sessions can be watched live via Ustream or accessed afterward on YouTube or Vimeo. The next meeting is scheduled for October 6 at 11 a.m.
“Introduced at Monday’s monthly Oklahoma Transportation Commission meeting, the ‘Never Skip the Click’ campaign is a group effort with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, public safety and community advocates across Oklahoma to turn a two-second decision into a life-saving habit to buckle up every time. Oklahoma currently ranks 44th in the nation for seat belt usage. More information on the campaign can be found at drivesafetyoklahoma.com,” Sullivan reiterated.
