Longtime transportation executive Gary Ridley, who served as Oklahoma Department of Transportation maintenance superintendent in Kingfisher early in his career, died Wednesday night.

Ridley, 77, rose through the ranks to serve as ODOT director and then state transportation secretary under governors Brad Henry and Mary Fallin, retiring in 2013.

Ridley steered ODOT through the deadly collapse and eventual reconstruction of the I-40 bridge near Webbers Falls after it was struck by a barge in 2002.

He also shepherded in ODOT’s longrange road and bridge improvement plan that upgraded hundreds of miles of state roads and replaced many structurally deficient bridges.

“He was a giant in the transportation world, not only here in Oklahoma but throughout the country,” former House majority leader Mike Sanders said.

“He was a true and sincere public servant and also a dear friend. He will be greatly missed.”

Sanders, former chairman of the House Transportation Subcommittee, worked closely with Ridley to complete projects in Kingfisher County and throughout northwest Oklahoma, he said.

Funeral services for Ridley are pending.