Lankford Applauds Competitive Federal Transportation Grant Awards in Eastern Oklahoma

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded the award of competitive federal grants to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). ODOT was awarded grant funding for two projects in Oklahoma from the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (Rural) under the consolidated Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) opportunity.

The MidAmerica Connectivity Project in Pryor, OK, was awarded $38.7 million to expand and improve the safety of infrastructure supporting the MidAmerica Industrial Park. The project includes roadway reconstruction, widenings, new and improved interchanges, and enhanced pedestrian accessibility. The MidAmerica Industrial Park is one of the largest in the nation. Another project award consisted of $30 million to widen US-259 through Hochatown to accommodate the dramatic growth of this vibrant destination in southeast Oklahoma. 

“The United States has many critical infrastructure needs, including the vital infrastructure needs in Oklahoma,” said Lankford. “I have worked for years to help Oklahomans in Hochatown raise relevant concerns and preferences for how to safely and efficiently widen the US highway through town for increased commercial and tourism traffic, while also prioritizing the local community’s needs and the significant pedestrian traffic in the area. As the MidAmerica facility continues to grow and bring in significant economic opportunities to eastern Oklahoma, their infrastructure and connectivity needs to also grow. I am grateful for these investments in our state and for the ongoing work of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to address the needs of critical infrastructure in our state with the help of competitive federal grants and state matching dollars.”

“Our cooperative investments in transportation infrastructure are vital to improving safety and connecting Oklahoma communities. The enhancements at MidAmerica Industrial Park and in the Hochatown community are critical in supporting Oklahoma’s continued growth and strengthening the state’s transportation network,” said Tim Gatz, Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director. “We are grateful for Senator Lankford’s infrastructure leadership and for the support of Oklahoma’s delegation.”

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