OTC gives okay for single largest contract in ODOT history

OKLAHOMA CITY - At their December meeting Oklahoma Transportation Commissioners (OTC) approved the single largest contract for highway work in the State Department of Transportation (ODOT) history. The contract covers the next phase of work on the I-235 corridor in Oklahoma City.

The project, budgeted at a cost of up to $105 million, will complete the widening of I-235 from N. 50th St. to N.W. 63rd St. and reconstruct the I-235/I-44 interchange. When finished the new interchange will feature a multi-level design with flyover ramps. Used by some 200,000 vehicles per day, the interchange is one of the state’s busiest.

At a busy meeting the commissioners also accepted an award in recognition of an ODOT bridge project in northeastern Oklahoma, gleaned updates on federal transportation funding, learned of ODOT’s completion of federal certification to oversee safety of rail transit systems, and awarded 32 other construction contracts, including a contract for a city street project on Britton Rd. in OKC's The Village.

The honor, known as the Pharaoh Award, was given by the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors. The 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.

The award recognizes ODOT’s Claremore Residency and contractor Jensen Construction of Sand Springs for a recent project to rehabilitate the 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.

Executive Director Mike Patterson then 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 to initiate another short-term funding reauthorization before the Friday deadline. Although this again delays agreement of a preferred long-term solution it will preserve federal funding for transportation projects, albeit temporarily.

Patterson also highlighted ODOT’s recent certification by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 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 safety and security requirements. Oklahoma was one of the first states to receive this certification and their success ensures that Oklahoma will continue to receive federal funding for public transit operations statewide.

In addition to the I-235 contract, commissioners voted to award a further 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.

(Image courtesy ODOT)