Mr. Gary Ridley, Director and Secretary of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Transportation will present a comprehensive transportation update at the Altus Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday, September 14, 2010, noon in the multi-purpose center at Western Oklahoma State College. Other officials also attending from the Department of Transportation will include Mr. Tim Gatz, ODOT's Director of Capital Programs, and Mr. Brent Almquist, Division Engineer Division 5 will be attending. In addition, District 5 Transportation Commissioner Loyd L. Benson has been invited to attend.

The purpose of ODOT's visit to Altus is twofold: to thank the citizens of Oklahoma for their support in the area of transportation and to bring good news to the community of Altus.

ODOT Director and Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley will deliver a comprehensive transportation update, provide an update on the progress of road and bridge projects in our state and share the infrastructure needs we still face.

In recent years the state Legislature has improved funding for transportation in Oklahoma. Director Ridley will present an overview of the contents of ODOT's new 8-year Construction Work Plan (covering FFY 2011 - FFY 2018), the funding process -- both federal and state -- and how the funding formula played a role in developing this plan. He will discuss recent and upcoming projects in your area of the state, and the importance of continuing the momentum and staying on course.

He will talk about our major achievements statewide during the past few years, including safety improvements and replacement and rehabilitation of bridges. He also will present an update on stimulus-related projects in Oklahoma.

Director Ridley, along with Division 5 Engineer Brent Almquist, will be available to answer any questions.

This meeting is open to anyone interested in attending by calling the Altus Chamber of Commerce to make reservations. The luncheon cost is $10. For more information contact the Altus Chamber of Commerce at 580-482-0210.