Oklahoma's Rundown Bridges And Roads To Be Repaired

Tuesday, June 5th 2007, 9:39 am

By: News On 6

Help is on the way for dangerous and dilapidated bridges and roads across the state. The state transportation department has signed off on a plan that devotes hundreds of millions of dollars to fix the worst county roads and bridges in Oklahoma. A couple of those bridges are in Washington County. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports under the plan approved by the state transportation department, 119 county roads and bridges will be repaired.

Dan Adcock welcomes the news. A washed out bridge is near his home.

"All these old bridges and things have gotten old and they are dangerous," said Adcock.

Adcock says something has to be done to fix aging and deteriorating roads and bridges in rural Oklahoma or people will be injured or killed.

"It's really not an option,â€ Adcock said. â€œIt's got to happen, either that or shut the road down."

The state will spend $340 million over the next five years for county projects. Funding for the program will be generated by increasing the percentage counties will get from excise taxes and motor vehicle taxes which are already collected.

That percentage will gradually go up to 15% of those taxes over the next few years.

With the help of county commissioners, the transportation department develops a priority list of the most urgent projects. They take into account things like the condition of the bridges, average daily traffic, the percentage of truck traffic and the road's accident history.

Mike Dunlap is a county commissioner in Washington County.

"This is a great formula, a great way to work,â€ said Dunlap. â€œIn the long term, this is going to help significantly in the future."

Dunlap says construction won't begin overnight, but eventually there will be progress. Statewide, about 200 county roads will be improved as part of the five year plan.

When the new county road and bridge plan is fully funded, it is expected to generate $85 million each year.

Watch the video: ODOT Signs Off On Plan To Fix County Roads And Bridges

WEB EXTRA: To look at the list of projects included in the 5 year plan, click here.

Related story:

6/4/2007 - County Road Projects Approved