(Cushing, Okla.) Brian Taylor, Division 4 Engineer for Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), was the guest speaker of the Cushing Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon held Monday, May 18, 2015 at Steer Inn Family Restaurant.
Taylor gave an overview of ODOT, its funding and the appropriation of that funding, including the challenges the department has faced and continues to face. One of the biggest challenges in recent years has been the number of unsafe bridges in need of repair.
From 1995 until 2005, ODOT funding remained flat. The lack of funding left Oklahoma with approximately one-third of its bridges structually deficient, including some that were too dangerous for school buses or commercial trucks to cross.
With the passage of House Bill 1078 in 2005, which initiated the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety (ROADS) fund, ODOT has implemented an aggressive strategy to alleviate the condition of deficient bridges within an eight year window and has worked with the Legislature to ensure a funding solution was in place. Each year the number of deficient bridges has seen a marked reduction from the 1168 classified as structurally deficient in 2004. The December 2014 annual bridge inspection reports revealed that the 706 structurally deficient bridges recorded in 2010 have been reduced to 372 (a 47.3% reduction). By 2020, deficient bridge numbers are expected to drop to near zero.
While those attending Monday’s luncheon were happy to hear the bridge problems are being solved, the problems at intersections in Cushing remain a huge concern for citizens.
As expected, Taylor received several questions about the plan for the intersections at Highway 33 (Main Street) and Little, Main and Linwood, and Main and Harmony Road.
Taylor assured guests, Cushing is indeed in the eight year plan for road improvements on Highway 33 (Main Street), including the intersections at Main and Little and Main and Linwood.
Although the configuration at Main in Little will remain the same, there will be improvements made by increasing the radii, which will allow more room for large trucks making turns at the intersection. New lights will also be installed, along with pedestrian crossings to meet ADA standards.
The intersection of Main and Linwood will undergo more significant changes including increasing the radii and creating a right hand turn lane on south Linwood.
According to ODOT, the estimated cost of the two intersections, including pavement rehabilitation, is approximately $7 million. Taylor said 90% of the project has been planned.
These intersections are scheduled for 2018, but could start as soon as January 2017, depending on how quickly the city is able to acquire right of ways and move utilities of the affected areas. The city of Cushing will also have to absorb the cost of those things.
As for the intersection of Main and Harmony, it is included in the eight year plan, but it is still up in the air as to what extent. Taylor said ODOT is in the process of interviewing consultants for the project. “We have 30 consultants interested in this project,” he said.
A passionate discussion was sparked as questions were raised about possible solutions for the Main and Harmony intersection, especially in the interim, since it is expected to become even busier once the new middle school opens this fall. Some suggested changing the speed limit, while others urged for more policing of the area.
After much discussion, it became apparent there isn’t any one quick, simple solution.
“The citizens of Cushing can be assured your legislators and city leaders are keeping ODOT aware of the issues,” Taylor said.
But with the looming possibility of funding cuts at the state and federal levels, the issue of the Main and Harmony Road intersection may likely continue.
“If ODOT funding is cut, no project is exempt,” Taylor concluded.
Visit www.ok.gov/odot/ for more information on ODOT and its projects.
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