US-259 Hochatown Boulevard project underway; crews move into area this week
PR #24-039
Drivers in McCurtain County can expect to see activity in Hochatown the week of December 30 as crews begin work on the first of three projects planned for the area. Drivers will notice cones being placed along US-259 between SH-259A North and SH-259A South as crews initially set a staging area then begin clearing operations along the highway, weather permitting, before utility and dirt work. The 2.3 mile, nearly $30 million project will ultimately result in a four-lane highway with a center turn lane, sidewalks and crosswalks and is estimated to be completed in October 2026. The Oklahoma Transportation Commission Awarded the project to C-Gawf Construction based out of Henryetta.
Two lanes of traffic will be maintained throughout the project and the highway will not be closed to local or through traffic. Business access signs will also be in place. However, drivers may experience some delays and congestion and should allow extra travel time especially during peak tourist seasons. Drivers should be aware of heavy equipment entering and exiting the highway during construction and obey any posted reductions in the speed limit.
“The community has been outstanding on giving us their input on this corridor. They know that with substantial growth in the area there’s a need for additional lanes and added pedestrian features and to address safety issues. We want to provide drivers with a comprehensive, modern system while keeping the main street feel,” said Oklahoma Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Brian Taylor.
The next project in the sequence is the northern segment between SH-259A North and Golf Course Rd. It is tentatively scheduled in the Eight-year Construction Work Plan for fiscal year 2026. ODOT is currently hosting local “office hours” to be available to the public to receive input on the second project. Representatives are present 10 a.m. to noon, prior to the Board of Trustees’ monthly meeting at Town Hall, held the first Wednesday of each month, second Wednesday if there is a holiday. The input from local businesses and homeowners in this location is critical as consultants create and establish the next set of plans.
A third project, which will eventually go through the same evaluation and input processes as the northern six-mile project, will explore the needs of US-259 from SH-259A South to 5th St. in Broken Bow, tentatively scheduled in the Construction Work Plan for 2029.
“We’re excited to get this project underway and appreciate the community’s willingness to work with us,” said District Engineer Anthony Echelle, who is responsible for oversight of construction and maintenance projects in Southeastern Oklahoma. Appreciation also goes to Rep. Eddy Dempsey and Sen. George Burns, specifically, for their support in improving Oklahoma’s transportation network.
When talks of improvements to the US-259 corridor began in 2021, there were concerns about addressing safety needs, the project’s footprint and being sensitive to the area’s businesses, development patterns and the unique tourism attractions. The department helped established a local advisory committee consisting of appointees of local legislators, tribal leaders and county and city officials to capture ideas and identify critical needs for US-259 improvements in the area, when Hochatown was still unincorporated. Since, the department has spent $1.5 million on an interim traffic signal project at four locations and has held multiple public meetings and presentations to facilitate community engagement.
ODOT remains focused on working with our local partners to develop and deliver improvements that enhance the safety and operations of US-259 for vehicles and pedestrians alike and that embrace the specific local flair of Hochatown.
Project history, visuals and previous presentations can be found on ODOT’s website www.oklahoma.gov/odot under About > Public Meetings. To receive traffic advisories, sign up from ODOT’s website or follow @OKDOT on X and Facebook.
