TJ Dill Chief Engineer | Oklahoma Department of Transportation
TJ Dill Chief Engineer | Oklahoma Department of Transportation
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has designated the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) Board of Trustees as the first regional transportation planning organization in the state. This recognition marks a milestone in regional transportation planning, acknowledging the Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization's (SORTPO) efforts to improve mobility and infrastructure across 16 counties in Southwest Oklahoma. The designation underscores ODOT’s commitment to enhancing regional transportation planning and public engagement in non-metropolitan areas.
SORTPO will manage regional transportation planning for Beckham, Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, McClain, Roger Mills, Stephens, Tillman and Washita counties. This role involves identifying and prioritizing critical transportation improvements and developing both long-range and short-term regional transportation plans. SORTPO will also focus on increasing public engagement regarding transportation projects.
"On behalf of our friends and neighbors from across southwest Oklahoma," said SORTPO Transportation Policy Board Chair Ed Barry. "SORTPO policymakers are hard at work planning for our future transportation system so that we can all enjoy the benefits of a smooth and well-functioning network of highways and railroads across our region."
The Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Organization Policy Board includes local elected officials, public agency officials, tribal government leaders, railroad sector representatives, and economic development stakeholders. This board will serve as a forum for making decisions about regional transportation.
District 3 Washita County Commissioner Lyle Miller stated: “As a Custer County Commissioner, I have witnessed firsthand the value of regional transportation planning led by SWODA and SORTPO. Long-range plans are instrumental in securing grants and funding for essential projects. Being designated as a Regional Transportation Planning Organization will further support these efforts and bring greater transportation opportunities to our communities.”
The policy board aims to guide regional transportation planning by collaborating with cities, counties, tribal governments, transit agencies, economic development organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that Southwest Oklahoma’s transportation system is safe and efficient.
Jared Schwennesen from ODOT's Multi-Modal & Planning Division commented: "With SORTPO overseeing Southwest Oklahoma planning efforts they can develop more concise and public-driven plans across the region. We are excited to see what the future of regional transportation will become under the guidance of SORTPO."
For more information about SORTPO's initiatives visit www.sortpo.org.
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