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Director warns federal uncertainty could delay FFY26 lettings; emphasizes work‑zone, impaired driving and wrong‑way safety efforts
Summary
ODOT Director Gatz warned Nov. 18 that federal continuing resolution uncertainty could delay projects that rely on FFY2026 formula funding and described a set of safety and workforce initiatives the department is pursuing.
Director Gatz told the commission that uncertainty in Washington, D.C., over continuing resolutions and appropriations could affect projects that rely on federal fiscal 2026 formula funding and has required the department to reschedule some November lettings into early 2026.
"The thing I want to assure you of is the prosecution and progress payments on our construction contracts that have already been let to contractor and and are being worked on are still being processed at the federal level," Gatz said. He added that where ODOT is being impacted is projects that rely on FFY26 formula‑based funding.
Gatz also reviewed several interim studies the department is tracking, including ones on freight transportation infrastructure, workforce and market‑based pay for agencies. He said workforce retention and certified training remain priorities for the department.
On safety, Gatz highlighted ongoing work‑zone focus areas and said new curriculum additions included an impaired‑driving section: "Work Zone Safe unveiled a new section of the curriculum on impaired driving." He noted an event in Edmond that included legislators, Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers and victims' advocates and cited the statewide toll: "over 400 Oklahomans die yearly in impaired driving crashes," which he called a preventable tragedy.
Gatz briefed the commission on planned low‑cost countermeasures to deter wrong‑way incursions across the Tulsa metro (Broken Arrow, Sand Springs and Tulsa proper) at about 90 locations using signage, striping and delineators. He also described a project on State Highway 80 near Hobert in Cherokee County to realign the roadway away from downtown and school property; the presentation listed the contract at roughly $9,000,000 with construction expected to begin in early 2026 and complete by year end.
Gatz closed with a holiday safety reminder urging designation of a sober driver and consistent seat‑belt use.
