Senate Transportation Chair Rob Standridge says state bridge conditions have moved from 49th to Top Ten in the nation

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, says Oklahoma has moved from having the 49^th worst bridges in the country in 2004 to the Top Ten in 2020, with the state now ranked ninth in the nation.  Standridge attributes that turnaround to the dedication of legislators, governors and the state’s congressional dedication over the past 15 years.

“In 2004, a shocking 1,200 of our 6,800 highway bridges in Oklahoma were considered structurally deficient.  Today we’ve reduced that to just 86 dangerous bridges awaiting repairs or replacement,” said Standridge, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “This is a tremendous accomplishment for our state in terms of infrastructure investment that will improve both public safety and broaden our efforts to attract and grow business and jobs in Oklahoma.”

The massive effort began in 2005 when the legislature developed a series of funding mechanism and the identification of key funding opportunities by Oklahoma’s congressional delegation.

“The value of Oklahoma’s highway system is $60 billion, which makes it our top physical asset.  After years of underfunding, we’ve made the necessary investments to protect that asset.  We will see benefits from this investment for decades to come.  I look forward to working with my fellow members, the Department of Transportation, our governor and congressional delegates as we continue to build on our success.”

For more information, contact Sen. Rob Standridge at 405-521-5535 or email Rob.Standridge@oksenate.gov.