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Commissioners approve CIRB priorities resolution after extended discussion on bridge funding
Summary
Rogers County commissioners approved Resolution 2025-85, setting county priorities for the county improvements for roads and bridges (CIRB) plan, following a lengthy discussion about pooled funding, shelf-ready projects and the pace of bridge construction.
The Rogers County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve Resolution 2025-85, which sets county priorities for projects submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s County Improvements for Roads and Bridges (CIRB) program. The resolution passed after an extended discussion about how pooled CIRB funding and the regional CED (Circuit Engineering District) process affect the county’s ability to build bridges the county deems most urgent.
Commissioner discussion focused on the impact of pooled funding on smaller counties’ ability to deliver projects. One commissioner said legislation and past transfers have reduced available funds compared with earlier years, making it harder to build bridges on a predictable schedule. The board discussed the concept of “shelf-ready” projects—projects engineered and ready for funding—and how the lack of shelf-ready submissions has slowed bridge construction. A commissioner noted, “We used to get them shelf ready and sit there with them shelf ready. And that way, we always had bridges coming.”
Commissioners also debated whether Rogers County would be better served by seeking direct funding from ODOT for certain projects rather than relying on the regional pool, and whether projects being built at a higher cost than traffic volumes warrant should be re-evaluated during prioritization. One commissioner suggested that bridge design and scale should match actual traffic demand rather than defaulting to higher-cost designs. The board referenced ongoing discussions with the CED manager and other counties about potential structural changes to the pool.
The board approved Resolution 2025-85 by recorded votes. Commissioners also approved Resolution 2025-86 appointing Dan De Losher as the county representative to Circuit Engineering District No. 1 and authorized that appointee to sign the interlocal agreement on behalf of the county; the appointment was presented as a continuation of existing representation. The session closed with the board urging continued engagement with the CED manager to seek changes in how the pool is managed.
The resolution approval preserves the county’s prioritized project list for submission to ODOT and continues the county’s participation in the CIRB/CED process while the county explores options to improve how projects are selected and funded.
