PAWNEE — Pawnee County is set to benefit from more than $800,000 in infrastructure funding through Oklahoma’s newly approved County Improvements for Roads and Bridges (CIRB) Plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved the $930 million, five-year plan on July 8. Administered by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the CIRB Plan provides funding support for projects on county roads outside of the state highway system. In total, the plan will fund the replacement or rehabilitation of 230 bridges and upgrade 422 miles of roadways statewide. Projects are prioritized based on need and funded through a mix of state, federal, local and tribal sources.
In Pawnee County, the plan includes several earlyphase projects focused on improving rural bridge infrastructure. One of the largest local investments is a $300,000 allocation for preliminary engineering on a bridge and approaches on County Road N3540 over Sand Creek, located 1.5 miles west and 2.2 miles north of Pawnee. That project is scheduled to begin in FY 2026.
Another $150,000 is earmarked for right-ofway acquisition on a bridge over Hell Roaring Creek on County Road E0470, approximately 2.8 miles west and 1 mile north of Blackburn. Utility relocation for that same project is budgeted at an additional $100,000, bringing the total investment in that location to $250,000.
Also scheduled for FY 2026 is $150,000 in right-of-way funding and $150,000 in utility relocation for a bridge project on County Road N3520 over Salt Creek, about 2.5 miles west and 2.1 miles north of Ralston. Combined, those improvements total $300,000.
“These targeted projects will enhance safety, improve rural connectivity and help fostereconomicdevelopment in our region,” said ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz. “The CIRB Plan is a vital tool for county governments to tackle critical infrastructure needs that otherwise might not be financially feasible.”
Since its inception in 2006, the CIRB Plan has helped modernize and maintain county-level infrastructure across Oklahoma. The plan is reviewed and updated annually to ensure local priorities are aligned with funding opportunities and evolving community needs.