About the Oklahoma Good Roads & Transportation Association

HISTORY

Founded in 1961, the Oklahoma Good Roads & Transportation Association is an association of concerned citizens from all levels of business and all walks of life dedicated to the sole purpose of promoting good roads; to ensure a safe, efficient, affordable system of streets, roads & highways.

OGR&TA officially incorporated in May 1962. In October of 1998, the name was changed from Oklahoma Good Roads & Streets to the current name reflecting the intermodal status of Oklahoma transportation.

ADVOCATE FOR SAFETY & TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

OGR&TA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) which researches, evaluates, and distributes economic and technical data on Oklahoma transportation issues. OGR&TA represents transportation interests in our state who depend on an adequate and sufficiently funded infrastructure of interstates, highways, roads, streets, and bridges for commerce and services.

The members are small business, cities, counties, chambers of commerce, engineering firms, road builders, airport operators, waterway users, motor carriers, railroads, and public transit systems. The OGR&TA is an information and education based umbrella organization providing insight into the need and benefits of a transportation network.

ACCOMPLISMENTS

• Since 1992, OGR&TA can point with pride to the following: In 1999, became the first organization to publicly call for a statewide referendum to increase fuel taxes for transportation
• For three straight years, 2002 through 2004, secured authors for a bill asking for a popular vote on increasing fuel taxes.
• Led the statewide effort to coordinate passage of the $1 billion road program in 1997;our crowning achievement which was end of a five-year effort.
• Produced the first-ever videos on transportation, “Vanguard of Economic Development” in 1996 and “Highway Facts with Captain Jack” in 2000.
• Continued to be the only transportation organization in Oklahoma promoting the economic benefits of our state’s turnpike system.
• Led the effort to inform and educate the public about the state highway and bridge needs resulting in an increase in ODOT funding every year from 1994 through the end of the decade. The increases ended with the budget downturns of recent years. This reversed a trend of declining influence for the state DOT that started in the mid-80s. Transportation has returned as a priority of state government investment.
• Created the Oklahoma Transportation Forum in 1993, still the only event of its kind in Oklahoma which focuses solely on transportation issues.
• Created the Oklahoma Transportation Summit in 1994 which created intermodal support for increased funding and which was eventually folded into the annual Transportation Forum.
• Created, along with ODOT, the Oklahoma Transportation Media Awards in 1995.
• Created Oklahoma Transportation Day @ the State Capitol.
• Commissioned three major research reports from 1996 through 2000; “An Analysis of Future Mobility in Oklahoma” in 1996, with a follow-up report in 2000; “Report on the Economic Environment for Transportation Investment in Oklahoma” in 1999.

OGR & TA ACTIVITIES

OGR & TA 2005 Profile: OGR&TA: FULFILLING THE MISSION

OGR&TA fulfills its mission in three areas.

• Communication Materials
  
  Media research projects. Example: the historic, weekly newspaper column series, TRANSOklahoma 21,on all issues and topics of Oklahoma transportation.
  
  The video “Transportation: the Vanguard of Economic Development” premiered in October 1996. It is the first ever video on Oklahoma transportation and was fully funded by OGR&TA. No taxpayer dollars were used in its production.
  
  The film “Highway Facts with Captain Jack” which premiered on Feb. 22, 2000, at Tinseltown Theater in Oklahoma City. A humorous and educational look at the topic of road maintenance. It is the first ever video on this topic Oklahoma transportation and was produced by OGR&TA in cooperating with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
  
  Timely media releases on transportation funding topics. Example: a special report from The Road Information Program (TRIP) in October 1995 that cited the extent of deterioration in our state’s road and bridge network. TRIP produced a follow-up report in February of 2000.
  
  
• Special Events
  
  Oklahoma Transportation Media Awards
  
  Superior Achievement Awards
  
  Oklahoma Transportation Forum
  
  Oklahoma Transportation Awards Banquet
  
  
• Recognition of Transportation Leaders
  
  J.A. Richardson Leadership Award
  
  Bill Skeith Stewardship Award
  
  The J.C. Kennedy Business & Industry Award
  
  The Joe Howell Excellence Award