OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, RKinta, today issued the following statement after receiving an update from Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials regarding reconstruction of the bridge on State Highway 71 over Belle Star Creek that was damaged during a washout.

The project went out for bids last month and was originally scheduled to be considered for award at the Oct. 6 Transportation Commission meeting. Turner was told the commission received several solid bids and were looking forward to getting things moving.

However, this project— and a few others across the state— could not be awarded as planned. Late last week, some new federal rules regarding the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DEB) program were announced that affect how the funds for this project are handled. Since those changes came out after the bids were opened but before the commission meeting, the commission had to hold off on awarding it to make sure everything stays in compliance and they don’t risk losing the federal funding.

As of now, the commission plans to readvertise the project in November, with hopes of having it up for award at the December Transportation Commission meeting, with construction starting in January.

“I know this delay is extremely disappointing to those affected,” Turner said. “Transportation officials also know the detour is long. But we have to stress public safety here. Officials say they still have people driving around barricades, which is incredibly dangerous. As it sits today, they say this structure could collapse at any moment. A lot of the structural components are broken, and the cracks continue to grow in the pavement and the structure. They are asking that everyone please stay off this roadway. We don’t want anyone to be hurt or have an even worse outcome.”