OK Transportation Committee Approves Highway 51 Repairs

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission met Monday morning to vote on several road projects that may affect commutes in the coming months and years. 

Commissioners voted in favor of fixing landslide damage on Highway 51 between Sand Springs and Mannford, where the asphalt in the right lane is badly crumbling. That project - with a budget of $1.4 million - went to Earth Smart Construction in Catoosa.

Once it starts, it's expected to take about 70 calendar days. Commissioners did not set a start date, but they anticipate it will be in the fall, according to spokesperson Kenna Carmon.

They also looked at a major reconstruction of an almost 8-mile stretch for Highway 75A in Okmulgee County. They plan to reconstruct the road from just north of Beggs to Mounds in Okmulgee and Creek counties. The new two-lane highway with paved shoulders will be east of the existing highway which commissioners said is narrow with steep hills and safety issues at county road intersections.

The $16.2 million contract was awarded to the Cummins Construction Co. of Enid and is expected to take about a year to complete. A start-date has not yet been announced.

The Board approved preliminary plans for Highway 169 at 76th Street North. The contract for engineering and construction plans for Highway 169 over 76th Street North was awarded to Smith Roberts Baldischwiler of Tulsa. The entire project is estimated for almost $6.8 million.

The construction bid for that project is expected to be awarded in 2019.

The Board also awarded federal grants for cities under 200,000 people that'll be used for alternative transportation routes, like bike paths and safe routes to schools.

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