Grassroots Oklahomans are getting a chance over the next couple of months to find out just how urgent things have become with the conditions of highways and bridges, both statewide and in their local areas.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation Director Gary Ridley and other transportation officials are looking for a direct, eye-to-eye forum with local citizen groups to bring out the sobering facts about Oklahoma's transportation infrastructure and how the local situation looks.

For example, more than 25 percent of our state highway mileage, 3,203 miles out of 12,288 total, is considered inadequate or critical and it all needs to be dealt with.

Unlike the ODOT-run meetings a couple of years ago, these presentations will be in the venue of civic group meetings to better address local concerns and stimulate open discussion.

“We think the situation should be brought directly to the people,” Ridley said. “ As taxpayers, they need to know how things are so they can help bring about solutions. We have been talking with other elements of state government, but the people also need to be involved. As owners of the system, they should be updated.”

“Only through an informed public can the critical decisions be made for Oklahoma's transportation future.”

As the program schedule has begun to take shape, many organizations have decided to combine meetings so that a maximum number of people can attend.

Ridley is planning on visiting radio and television shows as well.

To join the growing number of participating organizations, groups, interested in scheduling transportation officials can contact the ODOT Public Affairs Division.