Henry: Road Projects Will Boost Economy

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Gov. Brad Henry says Oklahoma's share of the federal stimulus program will help the state to make immediate improvements to Oklahoma's highways and boost jobs and economic activity.

Henry and state transportation officials held a news conference Friday to provide an overview of projects in the first round of Oklahoma stimulus improvements.

"It will create jobs, it will help Oklahoma companies," Governor Henry said. "These dollars don't just fall in a hole somewhere; they turn over multiple times in our economy and will create a much bigger impact than just the $250 million will be awarded next Monday."

The federal dollars will fund about 40 highway improvement projects across the state, including interstate repairs, major bridge improvements and safety initiatives such as cable barriers.

"It certainly looks to us like Oklahoma contractors had the capacity and wherewithal to move quickly on these projects, we're very pleased," Oklahoma Department of Transportation Gary Ridley said.

Transportation officials placed the stimulus projects on an accelerated construction schedule to take advantage of the spring and summer months when weather-related delays are fewer.