The Oklahoma Transportation Commission convened on January 5 to review recent achievements, present industry awards, and discuss upcoming projects and safety measures for the new year.
At the meeting, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) received two national awards from the American Concrete Pavement Association for its work on an I-35 reconstruction project in Wynnewood, Garvin County. District 3 earned the Gold award in the Divided Highways – Rural category and the Best in Show Innovation award. The project was recognized for recycling all existing concrete and using an overhead conveyor system to reduce construction traffic and enhance safety while keeping two lanes open. ODOT shares these awards with Duit Construction Co. and MacArthur Associated Consultants.
“It is gratifying to have the partnerships that we do with our contractors and the industry and to see outcomes like this. I do want to add extra emphasis to the impact that the innovation in the use of the conveyor had on the traveling public because reducing the dangers that crews and the traveling public encounter every day in work zones is extremely critical to us,” said ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz.
Commissioners viewed a video recap of ODOT’s 2025 accomplishments, which included progress on modernizing facilities, repairs to key bridges such as US-70 Roosevelt bridge causeway, construction on Tulsa’s I-44 “Traffic Henge,” and preparations for Route 66’s centennial.
Gatz provided updates on major projects beginning this year. One is a $76 million interchange improvement effort on I-40 in Clinton, conducted in partnership with the City of Clinton. This will reconstruct two interchanges at Gary Blvd. and Neptune Dr./10th St., replacing four bridges over two years. The process for selecting a team for final design and construction services for replacing US-70 Roosevelt bridge is underway; this project will use Modified Progressive Design Build—a first for ODOT—with construction expected later this year.
Drivers can receive traffic advisories by subscribing through www.oklahoma.gov/odot or following ODOT’s social media accounts.
With winter weather approaching, Gatz reminded both commissioners and drivers about safety precautions: “ODOT crews are ready and prepared statewide for inclement weather but drivers play a key role in safety also.” He advised monitoring forecasts, staying home during precipitation if possible, watching out for black ice—especially on bridges—and checking road conditions via the Drive Oklahoma app or okroads.org.
No new projects were put out to bid in December due to holiday schedules; upcoming bid openings are set for January 15 and 22, 2026.
The nine-member Oklahoma Transportation Commission oversees state transportation development by awarding monthly contracts for road and bridge work. Their next meeting is scheduled for February 2 at 11 a.m., available live online.
ODOT operates statewide across all counties handling transportation planning, engineering, operations, maintenance of highways, bridges, railways, waterways, public transit systems as well as providing resources for contractors and supporting economic growth through reliable infrastructure networks (official website; official website). The department encourages public involvement in decision-making processes related to transportation development (official website).
During adverse weather events, drivers are urged to stay informed about road conditions using available tools like snowplow cameras at okroads.org or by downloading Drive Oklahoma app.
