Roads On The Way To A Makeover

Oklahoma's roads will soon be getting a major makeover. The state legislature has passed a massive bond package to fix our highways. Some call it the most significant road repair legislation in 25 years.

The News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports the transportation bill will increase ODOT's annual budget and will give $300 million for road and bridge repairs. That is money that's desperately needed around Tulsa.

One bridge that will get help is the I-244 Arkansas River bridge. It has been in bad shape for many years and its one of the projects on ODOT's eight-year improvement plan.

The additional funding is all possible because of two very important words. It's called the Funding Trigger, a political roadblock that has had a major impact on our actual roads.

"Roads in Oklahoma are in a significant, almost emergency need," said former Oklahoma State Representative Mark Liotta.

Liotta introduced a bill two years ago that increased ODOT's funding by $30 million a year, but the legislature put in a line saying they would only get the full funding if the state revenue increased 3% annually. That was the trigger.

"That 3% trigger was an unnecessary limitation," said Liotta.

A new bill has removed the trigger altogether. ODOT will now get an extra $30 million in funding a year for the next eight years.

"The road package will be a significant shot in the arm to Oklahoma roads," said Liotta.

ODOT will decide how to appropriate the money, not the politicians.

"The department of transportation publishes an eight year plan. That is the list of projects that will be funded," said Liotta.

The legislature also passed a bond that will give $300 million for road repairs. That money will allow ODOT to better plan for its long-term improvement projects, like the I-44 road widening project. 

"What is currently in the eight year plan, with this new plan that the legislature has passed, you can probably see that as a 5 or 6 year plan," said Liotta.

It's a big step towards a smoother ride.

"They gave us more money for roads, and the dollars will be in the system faster," said Liotta.

For the first time in 20 years the money's all there.

The debt service from the bond is set at $46 million a year. ODOT officials support borrowing money for the bond because they say it's cheaper in the long-run.

They say roads will be built and maintained for less because they'll beat the rising inflation rate.

Related Story:

04/22/2008 - The News On 6 Investigates Oklahoma Roads