City updates Access Oklahoma East‑West corridor and 36th Avenue NW schedule; federal grants advance design

City staff provided a progress update on the Access Oklahoma East‑West Corridor and the 36th Avenue Northwest Phase Two project during the committee’s March 26 meeting.

Staff said contractors are constructing drilled piers for the new bridge over the Canadian River and that they will attempt to provide progress photos and status reports from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and contractors. For the 36th Avenue NW project, staff reported the consultant is completing plans, right‑of‑way work (including condemnation on a small number of parcels) is underway on some parcels, and the project must complete NEPA before FHWA can finalize a federal contract or agreement.

Staff discussed sequencing and funding: phase two (north of Franklin to Indian Hills) is currently planned to go to bid in September with construction expected to start near the beginning of the year; staff estimated NEPA and utility relocation place the overall timeline in the nine‑ to 15‑month range for near‑term steps. They said the city is coordinating with OTA where turnpike ties are required and is trying to bid related projects in ways that reduce total cost via combined contracting when possible.

Committee members asked about outstanding right‑of‑way and condemnation issues on Indian Hills and near the turnpike. Staff said most land for the project segments is in hand, but a few parcels related to the Little River bridge and other localized areas remain in OTA condemnation or negotiation and staff will press OTA for clearer status reports.

Staff also reported recent grant awards and allocations, including an ACOG allocation of about $15.5 million and other awards that the city expects to use for the corridor and related local projects (staff said the city has assembled well over $40 million in combined project funding including SS4A). The committee was told additional projects — including a roundabout coordinated with the Absentee Shawnee Tribe — will move forward under recently awarded grants.

Staff said they will return with more detailed expenditure and schedule reporting, photos of construction activity, and updates on federal contracting and right‑of‑way progress.