The Oklahoma Transportation Commission recently announced the creation of Office of Mobility and Public Transit within the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT).
The office was established by law under state House Bill 1365.
The new office transfers a program from the Oklahoma Department of Human Service that provides federal funding to community organizations that offer bus and van service for the elderly and disabled.
Tim Gatz, secretary of transportation and ODOT executive director, said the transition would be a smooth one. He also promised ODOT would work with the Oklahoma Transit Association as well as transit providers and professionals to successfully implement the new office over the next several months.
Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Lawton’s urban transit services all receive direct federal funding for their operations.
At its July meeting, the commission also voted to award 34 contracts totaling $96 million to infrastructure projects in 26 counties.
In addition, the commission awarded several other contracts to projects throughout the state including: nearly $19 million for I-40 near Okemah, almost $16 million for I-40 near Checotah, more than $9 million for 24th Avenue S.E. in Norman, more than $4 million for S.E. 29th Street in Midwest City, and $2 million for East 86th St. North near Owasso.