City of Stillwater Engineer, Monty Karns, discussing the details of a recent concrete overlay of one of the Stillwater’s intersections.
The 2022 Oklahoma Concrete Pavement Conference has concluded and by all measures was a huge success with over three hundred people in attendance. Secretary of Transportation, Tim Gatz, kicked off the meeting with updates on recent federal funding authorization for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight year plan and the commencement of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s Access Oklahoma program.
Although stormy weather prevented her from being there in person, ACPA’s new President & CEO, Laura Kaumo-O’Neil, was introduced to the crowd by an online appearance outlining ACPA’s vision for the future.
Many thanks to our exhibitors and sponsors for helping us make this event a success.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), together with Arkansas State Police (ASP) and Arkansas Highway Police (AHP), announced today a new work zone safety campaign aimed at cracking down on reckless and distracted driving in work zones across the state.
The Slow Down, Phone Down campaign will deploy increased ASP and AHP patrols in work zones to watch for dangerous driving. The goal is to eliminate preventable accidents.
In 2021, there were 2,140 crashes reported in Arkansas work zones – resulting in 16 fatalities and 54 serious injuries.
“The number of work zone accidents and injuries is rising at an alarming rate in Arkansas,” said ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor. “Even one injury in a work zone is one too many. We can all do our part to reverse this trend.”
ASP and AHP will be issuing citations to motorists observed using their phone, following too close, or speeding through a work zone – all of which are illegal in Arkansas.
“As crews go about their jobs improving Arkansas highways, they deserve our best attempts to make their work environment as safe as possible,” said ASP Director Colonel Bill Bryant. “State Troopers will be lending support to the Arkansas Highway Police in their effort to stop motorists who ignore the rules of the road and endanger the lives of those working to make our highways better and safer.”
“It’s our duty to protect work zones, the men and women working within them, and the citizens driving through them,” said AHP Chief Jeff Holmes. “We have zero tolerance for distracted and reckless driving. We hope this campaign makes it clear that we need people to slow down and put their phone down when entering a work zone.”
The Slow Down, Phone Down campaign will take place statewide and will target all motorists – including both commercial trucks and civilian vehicles. For more information, please visit: https://www.ardot.gov/slowdownphonedown/
Concrete Pavement Preservation Key to Extending Life of Oklahoma’s Turnpike System
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has found that by utilizing concrete pavement restoration techniques they can extend the already long service life of their concrete pavements by another 15 or 20 years – an outstanding value for the users of the Turnpike system. Read the Roads & Bridges article here.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has found that by utilizing concrete pavement restoration techniques they can extend the already long service life of their concrete pavements by another 15 or 20 years – an outstanding value for the users of the Turnpike system. Read the Roads & Bridges article here.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has found that by utilizing concrete pavement restoration techniques they can extend the already long service life of their concrete pavements by another 15 or 20 years – an outstanding value for the users of the Turnpike system. Read the Roads & Bridges article here.
ODOT District Six and Guymon Residency were recognized at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation Commission’s January meeting for receiving a national award from the American Concrete Pavement Association for their role in the reconstruction of the US-64/US-385 Junction in Boise City, OK.
The Boise City project took home the Gold award for the Municipal Streets & Intersections Greater Than 30,000 Square Yards category. The project was engineered and owned by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and constructed by IHC Scott of Englewood, CO. This project reconstructed Boise City’s Town Square where US-64 and US-385 come together and encompass the County Courthouse. Many challenges were met by the District, Residency and Contractor as they worked to reduce the impact on the courthouse and many businesses affected by construction.
Photo courtesy of Russell Perkins
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Unveils New 15 Year Program
During Tuesday’s Authority meeting, OTA Director and Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz shared his vision for a long range program for the OTA to fill several needs of Oklahoma’s Transportation system. OTA’s long range plans include:
I-44/Turner Turnpike and Will Rogers Turnpike widening, enhancements and additional interchanges with state highways;
Kilpatrick Turnpike enhancements;
Gilcrease Expressway completion; and
Improvements to help alleviate traffic on I-35 and I-44 in south Oklahoma City; amongst many other turnpike improvements across the state.
