The Oklahoma Department of Transportation took "unprecedented measures" to make its new eight-year construction plan work.
Since the 2010–2017 plan was approved, nearly $840 million has been taken from ODOT to balance state budgets.
"So, we have about 40 projects that are just sliding out of the eight-year plan, one that was in this plan" said ODOT Director and State Transportation Secretary Mike Patterson. "And that's the new routing of U.S. 70 around Madill. A project that we've all been working on at some level for many years, but we just can't keep it in there."
The new plan focuses on improving major transportation and freight corridors through 2025.
"The Inner Dispersal Loop in downtown Tulsa ... we've been picking at it, and it's time to finish," Patterson said. "We have a huge corridor in eastern Oklahoma called U.S. 69. It is a major truck route."
The plan also continues ODOT's work on deficient bridges and crumbling pavement. Construction to match Texas’ doubling of I-35 across the Red River will be delayed.
Patterson said the new plan means Oklahoma will fall behind in preparing for a future that includes self-driving and connected cars and trucks.
Patterson has one hope for lawmakers in the special session.
"That they don't have to come to this agency to get additional money to balance the budget. But if they do, we will adjust," Patterson said. "We will never whine. We will simply adjust."
The ODOT Commission approved the eight-year plan Monday at its regular meeting.
