The Oklahoma Transportation Commission convened on February 2 to discuss the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) response to a recent winter storm and to approve nearly $140 million in contracts for infrastructure projects across the state.
ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz provided an overview of the agency’s efforts during the winter storm, which brought prolonged freezing temperatures and multiple snow and ice events statewide. As of the meeting date, ODOT reported expenditures nearing $8 million for storm response. The department used 44,000 tons of salt and sand along with over 507,000 gallons of brine, amounting to more than $2.5 million in material costs. Gatz noted that crews spent over 50,000 hours managing hazardous conditions.
“I want to absolutely commend our field districts on their preparation for this storm and their execution. The men and women of ODOT worked tirelessly until the highways were clear,” Gatz said.
Gatz also addressed vehicle accidents involving snowplows during the storm. Five ODOT vehicles, two contractor trucks in the Oklahoma City metro area, and five Oklahoma Turnpike Authority plows were struck by other vehicles; no serious injuries occurred.
“That many crashes is a disturbing trend. Driver inattention and speeding put our crew’s safety and others at risk. Not only that but it also takes trucks out of service when we need them the most,” Gatz said. “We’re going to continue to ask for the traveling public’s help to pay attention to the plow trucks and the operations and give them room to maneuver.”
He added that most incidents involved commercial motor vehicles.
ODOT advises drivers during inclement weather to remain aware of conditions, avoid travel if possible, and use resources such as the Drive Oklahoma app or okroads.org for real-time road updates via snowplow cameras.
Gatz warned that repeated freeze-thaw cycles are likely to cause more potholes in coming months, resulting in additional work zones.
Among new projects approved was a $30.5 million contract for widening shoulders and resurfacing nine miles of State Highway 33 east of Kingfisher. This will move toward continuous shoulder coverage between Kingfisher and Guthrie. Work is set to begin in late spring with completion expected within approximately eighteen months.
The commission awarded a total of 24 contracts valued at nearly $140 million for improvements on interstates, highways, and bridges statewide. Details about awarded contracts are available at ODOT’s Business Center at https://oklahoma.gov/odot/business-center/contracts-and-proposals.html
The next commission meeting is scheduled for March 2 at 11 a.m., accessible live online through Ustream; previous meetings can be viewed on YouTube or Vimeo.
ODOT manages transportation planning, engineering, operations, safety programs, project development, contractor resources, public involvement initiatives supporting economic growth across all counties according to its official website.
