On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced three loans for up to $113.8 million is being awarded to the Oklahoma Capital Improvement Authority (OCIA) to improve rural road safety across 15 counties in the state.
“On behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration and USDOT, I am proud to deliver this $113.8 million investment to Oklahoma. This financing, combined with two prior loans, will improve over 100 miles of rural roads, enhancing safety and preventing injuries in communities across the state,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg in a statement. “USDOT is committed to ensuring that all communities, regardless of their size or location, have access to safe and reliable infrastructure.”
Oklahoma's rural two-lane network accounted for roughly 65% of all serious and fatal crashes in the state, with the biggest culprit being lack of shoulers on the road.
The state is looking to improve 53 miles of rural roads with the Rural Two-Lane Advancement and Management Plan (RAAMP). RAAMP will add eight-foot shoulders, and will rehabilitate and resurface 59 miles of roads and structures. It also aims to replace three bridges and four concrete bridge boxes.
“Oklahoma’s innovative approach to expedite delivery of safety improvements for rural roads years ahead of the initial schedule not only saves tax-payers tens of millions of dollars, but it also saves lives, which are priceless,” said Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajiann in a statement. “Other communities can benefit from this approach as well. No one should get hurt when we have innovative funding and financing options available to deploy safety improvements faster and cheaper, and the Bureau is committed to mobilizing all its resources to make this happen.”
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Source: USDOT
