Days after he announced his candidacy for the First Congressional District in Tulsa, Rep. Mark Tedford of Jenks is also celebrating state House approval of his proposed new bridge across the Arkansas River near Bixby.
His House Bill 2123 passed the House on a vote of 84-3 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. It authorizes the construction of the new bridge by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
“I appreciate my colleagues in the House for supporting this legislation,” Tedford said. “As our communities continue to grow, it’s important we take a thoughtful approach to infrastructure planning. This bill allows us to move forward with a project that better reflects the needs of the region today.”
House Bill 2123 updates state law related to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority by removing authorization for a previously proposed bridge and instead allowing for the construction of a new bridge in a more suitable location.
The measure specifically authorizes a new bridge crossing the Arkansas River in the vicinity of Bixby to help improve connectivity and accommodate continued growth in the area.
Tedford said the measure is part of broader efforts to ensure Oklahoma’s transportation infrastructure keeps pace with population growth and economic development.
HB2123 now moves to the Oklahoma Senate for further consideration.
Last week, the Tulsa businessman announced he is running for the U.S. House in Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District after Rep. Kevin Hern said he would vacate the seat to run for Senate.
Tedford thanked Hern and his family for their service to the district and praised Hern for for elevating Oklahoma issues.
“First, I want to thank Congressman Kevin Hern and his wonderful family for their service to Oklahoma’s First Congressional District,” Tedford said. “I’m grateful for the leadership Congressman Hern has provided and for the way he has helped elevate Oklahoma’s conservative values on the national stage.”
“I didn’t come up through politics,” Tedford said in the announcement. “I came up through business. I know what it means to build a company, meet payroll and deal with the real-world consequences of government decisions.”
Tedford said he plans to support United States President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda while protecting Oklahoma jobs, defending the state’s energy industry and promoting fiscal discipline in Washington.