Chelley Hilmes Chief Financial Officer | Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Chelley Hilmes Chief Financial Officer | Oklahoma Department of Transportation
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission convened on March 3 to discuss the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's (ODOT) efforts during recent winter storms, approve resurfacing projects, and unveil the new 2025-2026 state map.
Tim Gatz, ODOT Executive Director, informed commissioners about the agency’s operations in response to prolonged freezing temperatures and snow across the state. Since October 2024, nearly $12 million has been spent on operations with more than 89,000 hours dedicated to winter weather response. "The winter storms we did have this season were demanding and required extended maintenance efforts," said Gatz. He also mentioned that winter weather impacts infrastructure by exacerbating pothole formation and advised motorists to be vigilant in highway maintenance zones.
During the meeting, commissioners approved eight contracts worth nearly $14.5 million for improvements on interstates, highways, and bridges statewide. This includes six resurfacing projects totaling $9.5 million over a combined span of 40 miles in Adair, Craig, Harper, LeFlore, McClain, and Ottawa counties.
Commissioners were presented with a new bi-fold state map for 2025-2026 during a joint press conference with Lt. Gov. Pinnell last Monday. The map celebrates Route 66's upcoming centennial in 2026 with a retro design highlighting destinations from Elk City to Miami. Developed collaboratively by ODOT and other state departments and associations related to tourism and commerce, these maps are being distributed at Tourism Welcome Centers this spring.
Gatz expressed hope that a full federal appropriations bill will pass before the current Continuing Resolution expires on March 14 to allow progression on tentative construction projects.
The commission observed a moment of silence for District 7 Commissioner Stephen J. LaForge who passed away recently. Appointed by Gov. Stitt in 2019, LaForge was known as a respected leader advocating transportation improvements throughout Oklahoma.
Future meetings of the nine-member commission can be accessed live via Ustream or viewed later on YouTube or Vimeo channels associated with ODOT.
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