ODOT Approves Emergency Contracts To Expedite Road Repairs

ODOT now estimates it will cost close to $3 million to repair highways and stabilize the Arbuckle rock slides in Murray County, just south of Turner Falls, after the recent rainfall.

In an emergency meeting Tuesday morning, transportation commissioners approved bids to speed up the repairs.

While ODOT is working to quickly restore normal flowing traffic to the Honey Creek Pass, don't expect to see all four lanes of I-35 open any time soon. It still could be another two months before that happens.

Nearly a week and a half ago heavy down pours from Tropical Depression Bill triggered dozens of rock slides in the Honey Creek Pass.

“This was Mother Nature at its best. This is the first time we've had any significant rock falls. And that cut's been there for I'm going to say 60 years or so,” said Casey Shell, ODOT engineer

For now, large boulders cover the shoulder of northbound I-35. Traffic has been diverted into a southbound lane.

On Tuesday, transportation commissioners approved a $1.4 million plan to re-stabilize the rock face and fix this problem. The stabilization will take place in three parts: First, crews will use explosives to blast away a large chuck of the unstable rock. Then, by hand and using tools, the remaining loose rock will be removed. Finally, several 20 to 30 foot long bolts will be installed directly into the formation.

And to keep the repair cost low ODOT struck a deal with the two separate companies.

“The contractor has the ability to recoup the cost with the sale of the stone if he can, so that's part of his bid is to look outside and see if he can get a price for it,” said Shell.

Shell says there was nothing the department could have done to prevent this issue ahead of time.

“Bill was the icing on the cake unfortunately. We had very wet, saturated ground. Every rainfall event waters would come up a little bit more the lakes were full. The ponds were full and everything turned into runoff at that point,” said Shell.

Once the contractors begin their work a better timeline for completion will be established.

In addition to the Honey Creek Pass repairs, commissioners approved another million dollars for highway repairs across southern Oklahoma.

6/30/2015 Related Story: ODOT Holding Emergency Meeting To Discuss Roads Damaged In Storms