OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) - After years of deficient bridge reports, Oklahoma is moving up in the nation when it comes to fixing them.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission heard a report Tuesday on Oklahoma's bridge issues. Now, the state ranks #7 when it comes to states with the lowest percentage of structurally deficient bridges on the highway system.

In 2004, Oklahoma was ranked #49, with 1,168 of the state's 6,800 bridges rated as structurally deficient or poor.

“Going from having the worst bridges to being among the best in the nation is an amazing achievement made possible thanks to the vision and commitment from Oklahoma’s leaders," Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz said.

An aggressive plan to fix Oklahoma's structurally deficient bridges began more than 10 years ago, under the Governorship of Mary Fallin.

Now, only 67 structurally deficient bridges remain in the state. All of those bridges are either under construction or scheduled for replacement/rehabilitation in ODOT's 8-year plan.

None of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's 873 bridges are ranked structurally deficient.

Although not structurally deficient, 1,000 bridges in the state are nearing 80 years old. The Transportation Commission plans to continue an aggressive bridge program to address those bridges.

“I really want to thank Oklahomans for their trust and patience through this effort,” Gatz said. “Hundreds of these projects in a relatively short time have caused a lot of inconvenience to drivers, but addressing these bridges means more Oklahoma Transportation resources are now going toward improving pavement conditions, adding shoulders to rural two-lane highways, and tackling urban traffic congestion.”