6/5/08-Gov. Brad Henry has signed a bill into law that authorizes a $300 million bond issue to pay for repairs to roads and bridges throughout the state. County roads and bridges are tabbed to receive $25 million.
The new law, previously HB2272, gives the go-ahead to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to issue the bonds to stay on schedule with the agency’s eight-year road and bridge maintenance plan. The money will be generated in two bond issues during the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years.
The debt service on the road bonds will be paid for with a portion of the annual growth in motor vehicle fees. The average annual growth in motor vehicle fees is more than 3 percent.
The agreement also removes a trigger in Oklahoma law that requires state revenue to grow at least 3 percent before ODOT receives an annual increase of up to $50 million. The stipulation led to only $17.5 million being allotted for transportation this fiscal year.
The road and bridge package is part of a $475 million bond deal approved by the state Legislature last month.