The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has designated the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) Board of Trustees as the first regional transportation planning organization in Oklahoma. This designation is a significant milestone in regional transportation planning and recognizes the Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization's (SORTPO) long-standing dedication to enhancing mobility and infrastructure across 16 counties in Southwest Oklahoma. The designation also highlights ODOT’s commitment to facilitating regional transportation planning and public engagement in non-metropolitan areas.

Under the designation, SORTPO will oversee regional transportation planning for Beckham, Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, McClain, Roger Mills, Stephens, Tillman and Washita counties.

The designation also allows SORTPO to:

• Identify and prioritize critical transportation improvements

• Develop and maintain a long-range regional transportation plan and a short term regional transportation improvement plan

• Increase public engagement and input on transportation projects

“On behalf of our friends and neighbors from across southwest Oklahoma, SORTPO policymakers are hard at work planning for our future transportation system so that we can all enjoy the benefits of a smooth and well-functioning network of highways and railroads across our region," said SORTPO Transportation Policy Board Chair Ed Barry.

The Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Organization Policy Board, consisting of local elected officials, public agency officials, tribal government leaders, railroad sector representatives, and economic development stakeholders, will serve as the forum for regional transportation decision-making.

“As a Custer County Commissioner, I have witnessed firsthand the value of regional transportation planning led by SWODA and SORTPO,” said District 3 Custer County Commissioner Lyle Miller. “Long-range plans are instrumental in securing grants and funding for essential projects. Being designated as a Regional Transportation Planning Organization will further support these efforts and bring greater transportation opportunities to our communities.”

The policy board will continue to guide regional transportation planning efforts by working closely with cities, counties, tribal governments, transit agencies, economic development organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that Southwest Oklahoma’s transportation system is safe, efficient and responsive to community needs.

"With SORTPO overseeing Southwest Oklahoma planning efforts, they can develop more concise and public-driven plans across the region," said ODOT's Multi-Modal & Planning Division Engineer Jared Schwennesen. "We are excited to see what the future of regional transportation will become under the guidance of SORTPO."

For more information about SORTPO and its ongoing initiatives, visit www.sortpo.org.