By Rep. Brad Boles

Each fall, I like to provide an update on the latest Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) projects underway or upcoming for House District 51.
Beginning in 2004, the Legislature prioritized significant funding support after Oklahoma was ranked 49th nationally for state bridge conditions, with 17% of our state bridges rated structurally deficient or in poor condition.
In the 20 years since then, the Legislature has maintained a steady commitment to improving transportation. State funding to the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety (ROADS) Fund has allowed ODOT to significantly upgrade the state’s highway infrastructure, especially structurally deficient bridges.
From 2004 to 2021, Oklahoma’s ranking jumped from 49th in the nation to 5th for highway bridge conditions. These updated projects reflect the commitment to addressing bridges at risk of becoming structurally deficient to maintain the state’s good bridge status.
For the second year in a row, the Legislature also appropriated $200 million into the Rural Economic Transportation Reliability and Optimization (RETRO) Fund. This additional funding allowed ODOT to prioritize investments in rural areas that strengthen economic hubs throughout the state. Even when facing historic inflationary pressures and increased federal regulatory hurdles, the addition of the RETRO funds allows ODOT’s planned investments to stay on track and serve Oklahomans.
ODOT’s updated Eight-Year Construction Work Plan addresses 964 miles of rural two-lane highways with deficient shoulders and improves 3,755 lane miles of highway payment. Also, to sustain the momentum to have less than 1% of our bridges ranked structurally deficient, the plan addresses 278 bridges currently at risk. The plan also targets 299 highway bridges for reconstruction or major rehabilitation.
The effort to improve the safety of our infrastructure is continuing. ODOT is making a $28 million annual commitment for the next five years to assist in improving city and county bridges through the federal Bridge Formula Program. This effort will target nearly 1,000 bridges on city and county roadways for scour mitigation.
Nearly $8.6 billion in state and federal funds in the current Eight-Year Construction Work Plan will go to 1,647 state highway and bridge projects. Additionally, the ROADS Fund allocated $590 million in state funding for FY2025.
Below are projects in House District 51 scheduled for the upcoming year. Additional information may be found on the ODOT homepage at www.odot.org, under “Programs and Projects” then “Construction Projects” and “Project Status.”

FY2025

1. Grady Co. US-277: Reconstruction of this highway is nearing completion from Middle Bills Creek, extending east 2.7 miles to H.E. Bailey Turnpike Bridge, with a cost of $15.1 million.
2. Stephens Co. Lawton/Duncan “Y”: This intersection modification, additional traffic signal and lighting, and upgraded approach on Medcalf Road will take about four months to complete, with a $2.84 million cost. The contractor will begin in a few months, as poles and equipment are still being manufactured.
3. Stephens Co. Duncan Bypass: New interchange and bridge at Elk Ave will go to be in February 2025, totaling $19.78 million.
4. Grady Co. SH-19: An 8.39-mile section beginning 5.03 miles east of US-81, extending through Alex, ending east at Roaring Circle is scheduled for reconstruction, with work started in spring 2024. The two-year project is currently about 30% complete and will total $45 million.
5. Stephens Co. SH-29: A 5.5-mile section from Morrison Road to West Fish Creek is scheduled for reconstruction, including a bridge replacement/rehab over Black Bear Creek and West Fish Creek. The project will go up for bid in November 2025 and is estimated to cost $29.14 million.
6. Grady Co. SH-19: A 0.76-mile section from just east of Bradley, ending 0.40 west of the Washita River Bridge is scheduled for reconstruction in 2025. It will bid in April 2025 for a total of $2.8 million.
7. Stephens Co. US-81: Asphalt resurfacing from north of Blackburn Road, through Marlow, extending north to the Grady County line will begin in spring 2025 and will total $2.18 million.
8. Grady Co. Chickasha Bypass: Grading and bridge projects for US-81 realignment from Quail Road north 6.52 miles to US-62 will include three bridges and ramp grading. It is scheduled for construction in fall 2025 and is expected to cost $83.2 million.
9. Grady Co. SH-37 in Tuttle: Asphalt resurfacing in select driving lanes from Frisco Road east 6.0 miles to McClain County line beginning in spring 2025 for a total of $1.8 million.

Since the early 2000s, our infrastructure has seen notable improvements, but ongoing investment in roads and bridges remains crucial for the economic health of our state.

Thank you all for the honor of representing you and House District 51 at the State Capitol. God bless!

Rep. Brad Boles represents District 51 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Grady and Stephens Counties.