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ODOT director flags Heartland Flyer funding risk, previews major interchange and bridge projects
Summary
Director Gatz briefed the commission about recent federal funding deposits, a potential funding shortfall for the Heartland Flyer if Texas does not fund its share, and multiple large projects including a $252 million Tulsa interchange funded partly by a $95 million federal grant.
Director Gatz told the commission that recent federal funding deposits arrived under the continuing resolution, which restored a more regular cadence to project lettings. He thanked crews statewide for their response to recent flooding and urged motorists to avoid driving through water, saying, "If you see water over the road, do not risk it." (Director Gatz)
Gatz said the department is closely monitoring Texas legislative action regarding state support for the Heartland Flyer, an Amtrak state-supported route funded by Oklahoma and Texas. He told the commission that if Texas does not fund its portion, operations could cease when currently allocated funding runs out, anticipated in June. Gatz said ridership has bounced back strongly since the COVID downturn.
Major projects and funding highlights
- Tulsa interchange (I-44 and US-75): Gatz said the department began construction on a project commonly referred to in the transcript as the Stonehenge project. The interchange is a $252,000,000 investment; the department secured $95,000,000 in federal grant funds, enabling combination of several phases into a single delivery.
- Claremore — State Highway 20 realignment: Gatz described a ribbon-cutting for a realignment south of Claremore that improves the connector between Owasso and Claremore, including grade separation over a railroad. He said the project remedies years of slide and closure issues at Keatonville Hill and improves regional connectivity.
- Upcoming projects: Gatz highlighted an $16,000,000 US-59 project at Sallisaw (shoulders and a structurally deficient bridge replacement) expected to start in the fall with about a year of construction; a roughly $20,000,000 grade-separation/interchange project at State Highway 7 and Elk Avenue in Duncan scheduled to start this fall and finish in fall 2026; and ongoing I-35/I-44 work in Oklahoma City where a full closure over a weekend allowed work to accelerate.
Safety and outreach
Gatz noted that May is Motorcycle Safety Month and encouraged safe riding and driving; he promoted a Safe Riders course offered by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and announced a course for ODOT and Turnpike Authority employees in the fall. He also highlighted National Bike Month and Route 66 bike-route activity connected to the upcoming Centennial celebration.
Why this matters: Federal funding timing affects the department’s ability to award federally funded contracts; the Heartland Flyer funding matter could affect inter‑state passenger rail service if Texas does not appropriate its share. Large highway and interchange projects will have long-term impacts on traffic flow, safety and regional economic connections.
Sources and attribution: Remarks attributed to Director Gatz, who presented the director’s report and provided project summaries and safety reminders.
