As Muskogee County District 2 Commissioner, I’m proud to share the strides we’ve made in enhancing our district’s infrastructure. Through diligent road maintenance projects, strategic budget management, and a commitment to community service, we’ve achieved significant progress.

Last year, we paved approximately 8,000 tons of asphalt and also paved 12 miles of roadway in Muskogee Conuty, notably improving routes for Webber School, the towns of Webber, Warner and Porum. Currently, urgent attention is directed towards Muskogee streets, a crucial step in our ongoing mission to ensure smoother roads, reducing vehicle maintenance needs for residents.

To improve road longevity and reduce long-term costs, we’ve transitioned to using shale instead of normal rock, which has saved $730,000. Shale’s compact and durable nature provides a longer-lasting road surface, requiring less maintenance and reducing long-term costs associated with road repairs and upkeep. Its use reflects a strategic choice for improving infrastructure resilience and efficiency.

Our infrastructure approach goes beyond paving; each year, we successfully construct a new bridge, costing around $200,000 each, showcasing our effective fund management. The switch to shale instead of normal rock has generated savings, enabling investments in essential equipment without incurring debt. In previous years, savings facilitated the outright purchase of two dump trucks. Recently, we expanded our fleet with a new road grader, two trucks and a new excavator. These investments are crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and extending road maintenance capabilities.

Covering a vast area from Keefeton to the Arkansas River and serving communities like Porum, Warner, Webber, Keefeton and Briartown, our district maintains approximately 480 miles of roads. Paramount to our focus is drainage improvement, aiming to enhance safety and accessibility for all, especially for school and work commutes. This focus is vital to our commitment to enhance residents’ safety and convenience.

Transparency and accessibility are cornerstones of our service. My team and I are always available for any road maintenance concerns, offering direct lines of communication to ensure your issues are addressed promptly. We’re dedicated to serving our community and welcome feedback to continually improve our services.

Our achievements in road maintenance and budget management reflect a broader commitment to serving Muskogee County with integrity, efficiency and a deep sense of responsibility. We’re proud of the progress made and remain committed to ensuring the roads of District 2 are safe, durable and well-maintained for everyone.

The journey of infrastructure improvement is ongoing, and your support and feedback are invaluable to our success. I’d love to hear from you. Together, we’re building a stronger, safer Muskogee County, and I’m honored to lead these efforts as your District 2 Commissioner.

– Keith Hyslop

Muskogee County District 2 Commissioner

Link to article in The Muskogee Phoenix: here