Senator Darcy Jech held an interim study examining how rising construction costs, uncertain federal funding and declining gas tax collections could affect Oklahoma’s ability to maintain and improve its roads and bridges.
Jech, who chairs the Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee, said lawmakers need to consider long-term funding options as electric vehicles become more popular and transportation costs increase.
Transportation Secretary Tim Gatz told the committee that infrastructure needs are growing faster than current investment levels can address. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation spends about $1 billion annually through its eight-year construction work plan.
Gatz said post-pandemic inflation has reduced the agency’s purchasing power, making projects more expensive and limiting how much work available funding can cover. He also warned that postponing repairs increases long-term costs.
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Chief Engineer Trent January raised similar concerns about aging toll roads and bridges that could need major repairs in the coming years.
“Future Legislatures will have to take a serious look at diversifying transportation funding sources to keep Oklahoma from moving backward on all the progress we’ve made,” Jech said.
Jech pointed to the eight-year construction plan and efforts to address structurally deficient bridges as examples of the state’s progress.
“As a state, we’ve made major strides in improving the safety of our highways, roads and bridges,” Jech said. “We don’t want to lose that momentum.”
