Oklahoma Transportation Commissioners recently signed off on the Transportation Department’s 2026 budget of more than $2 billion, one that saw a decrease of more than $11 million. They did so without any discussion.
The estimated budget, based on revenue provided by the legislature and funds from the motor fuel tax and from the federal government will total $2,585,437,439. The amount from the state totaled $2,004,509,528 which is a decrease of $11,729,933 or 5.4% from the 2025 budget. The budget also has to be submitted to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services in June of each year.
The breakdown included $610 million from the motor fuel tax, motor vehicle collections and income tax. It is a $20 million increase from 2025. The $610 is funding for the roads fund, rebuilding Oklahoma access and driver safety fund.
“Also included in our budget is $275 million bond proceeds authorized in fiscal year 24 for three major projects, the Roosevelt Bridge, the Chickasha Bypass, and improvements to I-35 from Norman to the Texas state line,” explained an official in a presentation to the Commission.
The last major source of highway funding is from the Federal Highway Administration and totals $1,060,034,337, including formula funds, congressionally designated funding and grant funding.
The budget also includes an increase in the funding for the county portion which is related primarily to the county improvement for roads and bridges program. Funded annually from motor vehicle collections, it included $105 million which is an increase of $3,750,000 or 3.7%. The other major funding source for county funding is the Federal Highway Administration which provided $34 million.
Another major source of funding for transit and rail programs was provided by the Federal Transit Administration in the amount of $96 million and the Federal Highway Administration in the amount of $8 million.
and the Federal Highway Administration and totaled $96 millio
(40:54) The major source of funding for transit and rail programs (40:57) is federally funded funding provided by the Federal Transit (41:01) Administration and Federal Highway Administration (41:04) in the amount of $96 million and $8 million, respectively. (41:07) It is anticipated that the budget revisions will (41:10) be necessary during the year, and those revisions (41:13) will be submitted to the commission for review and approval (41:16) at the appropriate time. (41:18) The department requests and recommends approval (41:20) of this budget totaling $2,585,437,439.
(41:29) I can’t stand for any questions. (41:31) It’s a mouthful. (41:33) You’ve heard the presentation.
(41:35) Do I have a motion for approval of item 88? (41:38) Motion dies. (41:39) Thank you. (41:40) And a second? (41:41) Second, Gilbert.
(41:42) Thank you. (41:43) Any discussion? (41:45) Hearing none, please cast your vote. (41:46) Motion passes.
