The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved an $8 billion eight-year construction plan that will improve highways and bridges across the state, including upgrades to Interstate 35 and new safety projects, news9.com reported.
The plan, which was approved on Oct. 6, 2025, covers the fiscal years between 2026 and 2033.
Transportation officials said the plan will focus on modernization, safety and long-term maintenance. Some other projects were pushed out of the eight-year window because of inflation and rising material costs, news9.com reported.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation's (ODOT) wish list includes the rehabilitation or replacement of 460 bridges, improvement of 675 mi. of two-lane highways with faulty shoulders and improving the pavement of more than 2,800 lane mi., according to kosu.org.
Along with the construction plan, the commission reviewed a separate $500 million Asset Preservation Plan. That plan is designed to maintain the state's existing interstate and highway infrastructure.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz briefed commissioners on the status of federal funding legislation and how it could impact state budgets for the next year. Gatz said the federal shutdown's impact is minimal on current projects, news9.com reported.
"Where it will impact us is as we get further into federal fiscal (year) ‘26, the things like the construction contract lettings that have federal participation," Gatz said. "Without access to (a) new year's worth of appropriations, we will have to very carefully consider those future lettings as to which projects we can have on which projects we can't."
But Gatz said the Federal Highway Administration's National Construction Cost Index has climbed by approximately 63 percent since 2020, kosu.org reported.
Approximately 60 percent of ODOT's funding is provided by the federal government, although those funds will soon expire and new authorization legislation hasn't been passed, kfor.com reported.
The Transportation Commission, which is a nine-member board appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, meets each month to approve contracts and oversee the state's transportation development.
