OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Officials estimate that $37.4 billion is needed over the next 25 years to fund needed repairs and improvements to Oklahoma's transportation system.
But only $28.5 billion in revenue is expected to be available to meet those needs. That's according to a final draft of a new long range planning document prepared by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
The Oklahoman reports that bridging the nearly $9 billion funding gap is a challenge the department likely will face over the years. The 25-year plan establishes the agency's goals and priorities.
Over the past decade, the department's focus has been to repair and replace deteriorated bridges. The number of structurally deficient bridges has decreased from 1,168 in 2004 to 372 in 2014.
Department officials say the emphasis on improving bridges will continue.