Tracey Rider

The Canadian County Board of Commissioners approved changes to a group of highway projects including the widening and resurfacing of part of Route 66 at their Monday meeting.

The Route 66 project calls for widening and resurfacing of the highway from east of the junction of U.S. 270 eastward 2 1/2 miles to one-half mile east of North Heaston Road, and has a total cost of $3.7 million. 

Of that, design costs are pegged at $550,000, while right-of-way is listed as $300,000 and utility relocation is given as $350,000. The remaining $2.5 million is for construction. The funds will come from state and federal sources, with no cost to the county. 

But because the roads belong to the county, the work must be approved by the commissioners.

Each of the projects may remain up to five years from the start of construction. The approvals are necessary now, however, because engineering and environmental studies are already under way.

“They partner with the commissioners to identify areas that need improvement,” said Commission Chair Tracey Rider after the meeting.

Rider said it is unknown when construction will actually begin. The project is one of several on Route 66 that will be completed in sections.

Because the highway is historical, the project is subject to additional scrutiny.

“It is agreed all around that these improvements need to be made,” Rider said.

The project will widen the road and add a shoulder while keeping the historical elements.

Also approved were:

• A project to widen and resurface Reno Road from Airport Road to U.S. 81 at a total cost of $7.2 million. Design costs are $550,000, right-of-way costs are $250,000, utility costs are $200,000, and construction accounts for the remaining $6.2 million. Commissioner Lacey Dawson said the approval reflects a rebalancing that changes the funding tables for the project, saving $308,000 over previous estimates.

The adjustments are necessary now, however, because engineering and environmental studies are already under way.

“We go through in phases,” Dawson said.

• A project to widen and resurface five miles of Reno Road from U.S. 81 to Banner Road at a total cost of $8.3 million. Design costs are $600,000, while right-of-way costs are $350,000, utility costs are another $350,000, and construction is listed at $7 million.
• A project to improve the bridge and approach over Uncle John Creek on 192nd Street NE 1.25 miles east of U.S. 81 and 1.1 miles south of Oklahoma Highway 3 at a total cost of $2.412 million. Design costs are $225,000, right-of-way costs are $150,000, utility costs are $37,000, and construction accounts for the remaining $2 million.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Acting as the Public Facilities Authority, approved $3,646,543 to Lingo Construction for construction services for July for construction of the new Canadian County Courthouse.
• Tabled a measure to set consistent fees for open records requests across county offices. Currently, the County Clerk charges $20 per hour for research and 25 cents per copied page for such requests.