Biden-Harris Administration announce $2.2 million restoring bridges in Oklahoma

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced over 2 million in planning grants to Oklahoma City. The announcement comes on the heels of the Biden-Harris Administrations Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is set to create a pipeline of construction-ready bridge projects in Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced over 2 million in planning grants to Oklahoma City. The announcement comes on the heels of the Biden-Harris Administrations Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is set to create a pipeline of construction-ready bridge projects in Oklahoma.

The grants according to the White House are two of 28 total projects receiving funding across 18 states. Oklahoma's program called the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) competitive Bridge Investment Program will fund the early phases of project development for 14 bridges across the city, creating a pipeline of future bridge construction projects to improve safety which includes making make highway infrastructure more resilient to the effects of climate change.

The grants awarded to Oklahoma include:

• Oklahoma City will receive $1.5 million for a Planning and Environmental Linkages study for the full reconstruction of six bridges in West Oklahoma City that are in poor condition.

• Oklahoma City will receive $666,000 for a Planning and Environmental Linkages study for eight bridges along Lightening Creek that are in fair or poor condition and are recommended for full replacement.

“The planning grants announced today will help Oklahoma prepare critical bridge projects for restoration or replacement before they fall into a state of disrepair,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “By making historic investments in bridge projects that serve as a vital transportation link in communities nationwide, the Biden-Harris administration is supporting local economies, strengthening supply chains, and promoting resilience and safety in transportation.”

The full list of awards can be found here on the FHWA website.