Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Gary Ridley, who also serves as director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA), says he’ll retire from both positions in March 2013. Ridley will remain secretary of transportation in Governor Fallin’s administration after his departure from ODOT and OTA.
Ridley has worked with ODOT for 44 years and was appointed director of the agency in August 2001 under Governor Frank Keating. In May 2009, he became secretary of transportation to Governor Brad Henry before adding OTA director to his portfolio in October of that year. Under Fallin, he has continued to serve in all three roles.
“No one has done more for transportation in Oklahoma than Gary Ridley,” said Fallin. “From his start at ODOT in 1965 as an equipment operator, Gary has impressed his colleagues with his professionalism, work ethic and dedication to high quality work. While he will be sorely missed at ODOT and OTA, he will continue to play an important role in improving our transportation infrastructure in his position on my cabinet.”
Under Ridley, ODOT developed the eight-year construction work plan which serves as the states blueprint for addressing critical long-term construction needs. Ridley also oversaw the creation of the Asset Preservation Plan, guarding against the deterioration of the existing infrastructure system.
Recently, Ridley worked with Fallin to launch the Bridge Improvement and Turnpike Modernization infrastructure plan which will practically eliminate structurally deficient state bridges in Oklahoma by 2019. Since 2004, the number of structurally deficient state bridges has already plummeted from nearly 1,200 to 634.
As part of the Bridge Improvement and Turnpike Modernization plan, ODOT is recycling approximately 2,000 beams from the old I-40 Crosstown Expressway, helping to build hundreds of county level bridges throughout the state. The project is one of the biggest state-level direct recycling projects to benefit transportation infrastructure ever executed.
“It’s been a great honor to serve the people of Oklahoma as the director of ODOT and OTA and I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Fallin, the state legislature, and the people to improve our transportation system,” Ridley said. “Governor Fallin continues to improve the business climate in Oklahoma and she understands that transportation is a key factor in increasing economic opportunity and improving quality of life for our citizens.”
