Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission's Dec. 8, 2025, meeting include receiving an industry bridge award, a briefing on a job market study and approving safety improvements in Grady and Okmulgee counties.

In addition, commissioners approved an $85 million project to realign U.S. 81 in Chickasha. This first three-year phase will build a new bypass, create new lanes to connect U.S. 81 to U.S. 62/State Highway 9 and construct nine new bridges. Drivers will notice major earthwork starting in early 2026.

Commissioners also approved a more than $11 million project to correct curves and convert the U.S. 75 interchange at Preston Road into a controlled-access interchange in Okmulgee County. The project is anticipated to begin early next year.

The nine-member commission, appointed by the governor and legislative leadership to oversee the state's transportation development, awards contracts monthly for road and bridge construction.

Commissioners voted to award 21 contracts totaling more than $132 million to improve interstates, highways and bridges statewide.

Also at the meeting, the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors presented the 2025 Pharaoh Award to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's District 5 in western Oklahoma.

The nearly $19 million project was a bridge reconstruction project on Interstate 40 and Airport Road in Weatherford. The award is shared with Frontier Bridge. The Pharaoh Award is presented for the highest quality bridge structure in the state of Oklahoma in the past year. It is offered by AOGC as a tribute to the Pharaoh family of Henryetta, considered to be pioneers in the bridge construction industry.