Highway Funding Cuts Possibly Far Reaching

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA,OK -- The lack of federal highway dollars could also affect local contractors and future projects on interstate highways in Green Country.

Monday's decision by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission will have an immediate impact on work in the area.  But, experts worry that it will also affect construction that needs to be done in the near future.

Work on widening I-44 has already ground to a halt.  The delay means that construction workers won't be receiving a paycheck for the time being.  Industry presidents say that unfortunately, employees across the state are in the same boat.

"Tight times and all, and not getting a paycheck for another week or two or three. However long this might go on, it may cause some hardships," said Bob Lemon with Haskell Lemon Construction.

Besides economic hardships workers might face, the lack of federal funds may prevent other projects from ever getting the green light.

Officials are not just worried about current projects that should be affected by this lack of funding. They're also worried about future ones, like those on I-244.

"Oklahoma doesn't have the money available, that's for sure, to replenish that $83 million," said Susan Harris with the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Susan Harris with the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce says the depletion of the federal highway trust fund could not come at a worse time.  She says Oklahoma was poised to make some major improvements to both of its interstate roads.

"We've already started developing our list of high priority projects for that new funding, so any problems with the highway trust fund has a huge impact on this area," said Susan Harris with the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce.

According to Harris, those high priority projects could include further reconstruction of I-244, as well as a new bridge over the Arkansas River on that highway.  But, unless something is done about the shortfall, that work may have to wait.

State Transportation Director Gary Ridley says Congress and the President need to act quickly to avoid major delays on federal road projects.  Senator Jim Inhofe is supporting legislation that would pump $8 billion into the highway trust fund.  But, he says that would only be a temporary fix to the problem.