Tulsa Area Getting Shafted by Road Program Delays, Sen. Long Requests Answers from ODOT, Gov. Keating

Even though Oklahoma's state highway construction budget is at its highest level in state history, Oklahoma's road-building program has been plagued by innumerable delays that have thrown it far off schedule, according to an analysis by the State Senate staff.

The unexplained delays are causing problems throughout the state, but especially in the Tulsa area, according to State Senator Lewis Long.

"The transportation department is awash in money, but it keeps delaying vital projects in the Tulsa area. They've got the taxpayers' money, but they're not using it to build the roads they said they would," noted Sen. Long.

"I think Governor Keating and his transportation commission owe some answers to the people, especially to the citizens of Tulsa."

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation programs construction projects based on a five-year plan. It is required by law to complete programmed projects as long as adequate funding is available.

Since FY '95, ODOT's budget of state and federal funds has increased dramatically, going from $379 million to $574 million. While its level of funding has grown, ODOT's schedule of highway projects has bogged down in delay.

For example, the Senate analysis found that the bulk of five-year plan construction projects, some 60 percent or almost $1 billion worth of projects, have been delayed and another 6 percent have been canceled all together. Only one-third of the projects are currently classified as "on schedule."

"It looks like they're dragging their feet. I don't know what their official explanation is, but it certainly can't be a lack of money," said Senator Long.

The Glenpool legislator noted that Transportation District 8, the division that includes Tulsa County, has had 107 projects delayed or canceled - the most of any of the state's eight transportation districts.

For example, the final phase of the widening of US-169 in Tulsa was first slated to begin in 2001, only to be pushed back to 2003 and then to 2005. Now transportation officials indicate they might move it forward again.

"I'll believe that if and when it actually happens. ODOT keeps putting Tulsa area projects on hold and then waits to see if anyone gets upset. It's only when we start raising a fuss that they agree to do anything. We shouldn't have to scream and holler just to get the road projects that were promised to us. Because ODOT keeps stalling projects in Tulsa, our motorists are being forced to drive on overly congested and even dangerous highways," said Sen. Long.

Part of the delays may be caused by an apparent shift in ODOT priorities. The Senate analysis indicates that start-up dates have been accelerated for many projects in western and central Oklahoma.

"This looks like another case of Tulsa being forced to take a back seat to Oklahoma City and the rest of the state. The state transportation bureaucrats don't seem to care much about our neck of the woods in northeastern Oklahoma, even though we're giving them millions of our tax dollars. They're taking our money and spending it out in western Oklahoma where traffic counts aren't even in the same ballpark as Tulsa." said Sen. Long.

"People take their lives into their own hands when they drive on Tulsa's overly congested roads, yet the state keeps pouring money into lightly traveled rural highways where the only things in danger are armadillos and jack rabbits."

Officials at ODOT have blamed inflation, project changes and poor estimates for the rash of delays, but Senator Long is skeptical, saying there must be more to the slow down.

"I'm not buying those excuses. Two-thirds of the state's high projects are on hold and they expect us to believe that it's all because of inflation and bad planning? There has to be more to the story. The people deserve answers," said Sen. Long.