ODOT said no current plans to update US 70

ThefutureofLakeTexoma seems bright and booming as Hard Rock Hotel and Residences are set to be done by 2026. The Texoma area will also have additional housing developments including the Pointe Vista at Lake Texoma Residences.

The question that is at the forefront of residents is, can the infrastructure handle the demand?

Theproposedrealignment of the Roosevelt Bridge isn’t slated to begin until 2029, and is “pending based on funding”. Will that be soon enough?

Addressing issues before they arise seems to be the best practice, but is it possible when it comes to the flow of traffic through the town of Kingston? As the amount of traffic that comes off the Roosevelt Bridge traveling west on Highway 70 in Kingston continues to grow, howwillthetownaddressthe elephant in the room?

Howtocontroltheamount of vehicles, the speed and the fact that there is only one intersection in the town with a four way stop light seems to be the topic of many discussions.

When traveling west on Highway 70 from the Roosevelt Bridge, there are four lanes to accommodate the amount of traffic. However, as drivers get closer to town, it changes into a two lane highway with speed limit up to 60 mph. As it is now, there are multiple wrecks along that stretch of the highway where it narrows down to the two lanes.

Even though the speed limit does go down to 55 mph approaching the city limit, the amount of traffic is increasing daily. Highway 70 is a state highway the Oklahoma Department of Transportation would be the ones to take the lead on any new project on that stretch of the highway.

TheMadillRecord reached out to ODOT to see if a project was on the board for the near future, possibly to tie in with the Roosevelt Bridge realignment. Mills G. Leslie, Strategic Communications with the Oklahoma Transportation Cabinet said that there were no plans to develop that stretch of the highway currently.

“ODOT recognizes the area is seeing major development, and traffic demands on the highway system are increasing,” Leslie said. “Currently, there are no projects in ODOT’s Eight-Year Construction Work Plan that cover the stretch of highway from Kingston to the Roosevelt bridge.”

“That said, the department is continually balancing the need for infrastructure improvements with the resources available,” Leslie continued. “Drivers can view future projects on the website https://oklahoma.gov/odot. html under ODOT Construction Projects.”

For more information about the Roosevelt bridge project, view the public meeting materials here: https://oklahoma.gov/odot/ programs-and-projects0/public- meetings-and-hearings0/ public-meetings-and-hearings/ 20230725.html