Oklahoma has risen within the ranks of the Top Ten States for highway bridge conditions.
Oklahoma is ranked seventh among states with the lowest percentages of structurally deficient bridges on the highway system.
Oklahoma was once ranked 49th in 2004 when 1,1,68 of the 6,800 bridges in the state were rated structurally deficient or poor.
Now, after more than a decade of continuous improvements, there are only 67 structurally deficient bridges remaining, and they are all either under construction or scheduled in ODOT's Eight-year Construction Work Plan.
“I’m proud of the turnaround we’ve accomplished to make and keep Oklahoma’s highway bridge conditions Top Ten,” said Gov. Stitt. “Our bridge system has undergone remarkable changes that impact the safety and quality of life for all 4 million Oklahomans, and I’m thankful for the leadership from Secretary Gatz to keep us Top Ten.”
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation says it will continue with an aggressive bridge program to address more than 1,000 80-year-old bridges.
“I really want to thank Oklahomans for their trust and patience through this effort,” Secretary of Transportation 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.”