Oklahoma Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Casey Shell spoke to a joint meeting of Kiwanis and Rotary Club members in Alva last week. He provided maps and information about future highway construction projects in the area through 2014. Ron McDaniel, ODOT Division 6 engineer, also spoke to the group.

The accompanying map shows projects planned for the six county eastern area of Division 6. Three projects are shown for the Alva area, two for roadways and one involving a bridge. The U.S. Highway 64 BNSF Railroad bridge overpass is a 2018 project listed at $3,261.727. It is designated by the circle centered with a cross. Slated for 2022-2024 is a section of U.S. Highway 281 beginning 1.45 miles south of the junction of U.S. 64 and U.S. 281 South in Alva and extending north 1.45 miles. This is a $4.9 million project.

The project to the west of Alva is scheduled for 2021-2024. It begins eight miles west of the U.S. 64 and U.S. 281 junction, extending 7.2 miles east to 14th Street in Alva and will cost $13.5 million.

In western Woods County near Freedom, the Anderson Creek Bridge is on the ODOT agenda for 2017-2018.

To the south in Woods County are two projects near Waynoka. Four miles of work on U.S. 281 is planned for 2019-2023. The area begins four miles west of the U.S. 281 and State Highway 45 junction, extending east four miles with grading, draining, bridge and surface work. The second project will be in 2019-2024 to widen and resurface 7.8 miles of U.S. 281 beginning at the S.H. 14 and U.S. 281 junction and extending east.