Transportation Commission Approves Final Dirt Work on Crosstown

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The state Transportation Commission has approved the final dirt work on the multimillion dollar Crosstown Expressway project in Oklahoma City, even as the agency's director outlined major budget cuts to the department.

The commission on Monday approved a $22.5 million contract for the final phase of dirt work on the $640 million Interstate 40 road project, the most expensive in state history.

The new highway, expected to be open to traffic in 2012, is being built south of where I-40 currently runs through downtown Oklahoma City.

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation Director Gary Ridley says the agency is continuing to implement budget cuts to cope with declining state revenues.

More: View the Complete Agenda | Continuing Crosstown Coverage