U.S. Senate addresses federal Highway Trust Fund Solvency

The federal economic stimulus package will provide up to $79.7 million for Oklahoma bridge and highway projects.

The money will help fuel the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's eight-year construction work plan. A plan that proposes to close $4 billion worth of priority projects out of Oklahoma's $12 billion dollar backlog, according to ODOT spokesperson Terry Angier.

"Over the years, Oklahoma became the number one in the nation for putting less transportation funds in the infrastructure than any other state in the nation," Angier said. "The funding can't reverse overnight. It's a very big number, and it's a very embarrassing number. But it's in direct correlation to the fact that we spent very little money on transportation until recently."

The eight-year plan was made possible by funding hikes approved by the Oklahoma State Legislature in October of 2008. Projects include over 449 bridge replacements and $2.1 billion in major improvements to high volume highways.

The extra money provided will push ahead projects that can be prepared and ready to go in under 60 days. By pushing ahead these projects, opportunities for improvements in roadwork in the Norman city area will become a possibility.