A new study shows Oklahoma has cut its number of structurally deficient state bridges in half in less than a decade.
Department of Transportation Director Mike Patterson presented the figures Monday to the agency's governing commission. Patterson says Federal Highway Commission data shows the number of structurally deficient state bridges dropped from 1,168 in 2005 to 556 currently.
The state has gone from having 17 percent of its bridges structurally deficient to about 8 percent in that same time period. Patterson says the national average is about 11 percent. Oklahoma still ranks among the worst in the country when city and county bridges are tallied.
The commission also awarded a nearly $9 million contract to build a west end of the new Interstate 40 Crosstown.
Patterson also updated the commission on how the department is continuing to help with storm recovery efforts following the May tornadoes.
