December Commission Wrap-Up: Commission approves single largest ODOT contract
to reconstruct I-235 and I-44 interchange in Oklahoma City; more than $194 million in contracts awarded
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2018
PR# 18-049
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Dec. 3, meeting included commission approval of the single largest contract for highway work in Oklahoma Department of Transportation history, acceptance of an award for an ODOT bridge project in northeastern Oklahoma, updates on federal transportation funding and ODOT’s completion of federal certification to oversee safety of rail transit systems. The commission awarded several construction contracts, including a contract for a city street project on Britton Rd. in The Village.
The commission voted to award the single largest construction contract in ODOT history for the next phase of work on the I-235 corridor in Oklahoma City. The up to $105 million project will complete the widening of I-235 from north of N. 50th St. to N.W. 63rd St. and reconstruct the junction of I-235 and I-44 to a multi-level interchange with flyover ramps. This is one of the state’s busiest interchanges, with about 200,000 vehicles navigating the area each day.
Transportation commissioners joined ODOT senior staff in celebrating the Tulsa-based Division Eight as they were honored with the Pharaoh Award from the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors. The award recognizes ODOT’s Claremore Residency and contractor Jensen Construction of Sand Springs, for a recent project to rehabilitate the eastbound US-412 bridge over the Verdigris River in Rogers County. The $15 million project replaced the eastbound bridge deck and beams in addition to other substructure repairs. The Pharaoh Award is presented each year for the highest quality bridge structure in Oklahoma and is a tribute to the Pharaoh family of Henryetta, one of the state’s pioneers in bridge construction.
Executive Director Mike Patterson briefed the commission on the current continuing resolution authorizing federal funding, which expires Friday, Dec. 7. Patterson told commissioners that he expects the U.S. Congress and President Donald Trump to take action on another short-term funding reauthorization by the Friday deadline, again avoiding a preferred long-term solution but still preserving federal funding for transportation projects.
Patterson also highlighted ODOT’s recent certification by the Federal Transit Administration to provide safety oversight of fixed guideway rail transit systems, which includes the Oklahoma City Streetcar. The department was required to create an oversight program to meet federal requirements for safety and security of such transit systems. Oklahoma was one of the first states to receive this certification from the FTA, which is necessary for the upcoming launch of the new streetcar service operated by the City of Oklahoma City and ensures that Oklahoma will continue to receive federal funding for public transit operations statewide.
The commission awarded contracts for a nearly $26 million project to reconstruct three miles of US-59 near Watts in Adair County, a nearly $17.6 million project to reconstruct eight miles of SH-53 near Springer in Carter County and a more than $12 million project to reconstruct nearly four miles of US-270/US-183 in Woodward County. Also awarded was a nearly $4 million contract to reconstruct one mile of Britton Rd. in The Village using federal and local funds.
Altogether, commissioners voted to award 32 contracts totaling more than $194 million to improve highways, roads and bridges in 24 counties. Contracts were awarded for projects in Adair, Beaver, Beckham, Bryan, Canadian, Carter, Choctaw, Coal, Custer, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Haskell, Jackson, Love, Murray, Noble, Oklahoma, Seminole, Texas, Tulsa, Wagoner, Washita and
Woodward counties.
A list of all awarded contracts can be found by visiting www.odot.org/contracts, selecting the November 2018 letting, clicking Go, then Award.
The eight-member Transportation Commission, appointed by the governor to oversee the state’s transportation development, awards contracts every month for road and bridge construction. The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.
Contracts, bid information, the commission’s monthly agenda and project details can be viewed at www.odot.org.
Next phase of I-235 work in Oklahoma City gets green light from commission
At its Monday, Dec. 3 meeting, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission voted to award the single largest contract in Oklahoma Department of Transportation history for the next phase of I-235 reconstruction in Oklahoma City. The up to $105 million project will complete the widening of the interstate to six lanes and reconstruct the busy I-235 and I-44 interchange, pictured here. The project is expected to begin in early 2019 and is estimated to take 785 days.
ODOT bridge project recognized with Pharaoh Award
At their Monday, Dec. 3 meeting, members of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission learned that an Oklahoma Department of Transportation project to rehabilitate the eastbound US-412 bridge over the Verdigris River in Rogers County was honored with the Pharaoh Award, recognizing the state’s best bridge project this year. Pictured from left are Transportation Commission Chairman David Burrage, ODOT Division Eight Engineer Randle White, Claremore Resident Engineer Aaron Beats, District Eight Commissioner Robert Peterson, ODOT Division Eight Construction Engineer Jennifer Bullard and Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Mike Patterson.
(Editors and News Directors: For questions, please call the ODOT Media & Public Relations Division at 405-521-6000.)
