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ODOT director outlines major projects, bridge damage concerns and new seat‑belt safety PSA
Summary
Director Gantz briefed the commission on major upcoming projects—including I‑40 bridge rehabilitation over I‑44, US‑281/Route 66 bridge replacements, State Highway 33 widening and resurfacing projects—and raised concerns about recurring fire damage under Tulsa bridges; he also previewed a seat‑belt PSA scheduled for Feb. 10.
Director Gantz delivered the department report that highlighted major project starts, recurring bridge damage in Tulsa and a new seat‑belt public service announcement.
Gantz told commissioners that contractor mobilization is underway for rehabilitation of the I‑40 bridge over I‑44 and that most work will occur at night with lane narrowings primarily between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.; he said the department tentatively expects the rehabilitation to be completed by fall. He described the rehabilitation as a step that will buy time while ODOT pursues a longer‑term reconfiguration of the interchange, noting a planned flyover movement to reduce lane crossing conflicts.
Gantz also reviewed completed and upcoming bridge projects: a major replacement south of the US‑281/Route 66 Bridgeport Bridge (the Tower Bridge), a roughly $3 million bridge replacement awarded in July that was completed ahead of centennial celebrations, and the US‑281 work that removed load postings in that section. He flagged resurfacing and rehabilitation projects including an Interstate 35 resurfacing in Murray and Garvin counties (about $16 million, expected to begin late spring and last about four months) and a roughly $30 million US‑69 rehabilitation in Wagoner County that will resurface more than 5.5 miles and include bridge work on the Arkansas River navigation system, starting around April or May and lasting about a year.
On recurring infrastructure damage, Gantz described the $330,000 repair to the I‑44 21st Street ramp bridge in Tulsa as the second time that structure has needed repair following a fire. "When we experience problems like this ... the thing I want to emphasize is the Department of Transportation, we're not an enforcement entity," he said, describing fires under bridges as both costly to taxpayers and a safety concern. He said ODOT regularly handles cleanup and minor repairs and will work with local governments on strategies to protect infrastructure and reduce occupancy under bridges.
Gantz closed by previewing a new seat‑belt PSA debuting on social channels on Feb. 10 and urged motorists to buckle up and observe posted speed limits and work‑zone protections.
The commission did not take action on the director's report; Gantz asked to stand for questions and later fielded commissioner inquiries about other types of damage under bridges (cleanup and minor damage) and the department's response.
