Lawton’s Gore Boulevard, Goodyear Boulevard projects nearing start dates

Four major improvements projects can begin in Lawton if the City Council accepts a recommendation today to allow the Lawton Industrial Development Authority to issue a $30 million sales tax revenue note.

The recommendation, which also will be considered by LIDA members at a special meeting set for 1 p.m. today, is Lawton’s way of providing the entire cost of those projects, using revenues generated by the 2019 Capital Improvements Program to pay the debt.

The note will cover the city’s share ($5.3 million) of widening West Gore Boulevard between 67th and 82nd streets; the Goodyear Boulevard reconstruction project between West Lee Boulevard and Cache Road, $9.2 million; Phase 1 of the McMahon Auditorium upgrade, $8 million; and construction of two new cells for the city landfill, $7.5 million. City engineers said council approval today will allow the projects to begin.

Related agenda items also tie into the process.

For example, city staff is recommending approval of plans and specifications for Phase 1 of the Goodyear Boulevard project, which will means advertising for a contractor can begin. While the city plans to rebuild the entire road, Phase 1 is the work between West Lee Boulevard and the railroad tracks on the north side of the industrial park, 1.3 miles of roadway. City Engineer Joe Painter said doing the upgrade in two phases ensures industrial park tenants continue to have vehicular access because part of their major access road will remain open.

The council also will consider approving plans and specifications for construction of two new cells at the city landfill, so that project also can be let for bids. In a second item, the council will amend its existing design contract with SCS Engineers so that firm can provide quality assurance for construction of cells 6 and 7 and liner, at a $368,020 cost.

The Gore Boulevard work — expansion of the final two-lane segment of the Lawton arterial — also is moving closer to launch, as the council considers formally approving a supplemental funding agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODO) to help cover the cost of a project that has been planned for more than 20 years.

Duit Construction Company was the lone bidder on the ODOT-led project, and that bid was $2.12 million higher than the engineering estimate. The total construction cost now is $13,782,348.85, an important figure because while ODOT promised to cover 80 percent of the construction cost, that initial promise was based on 2018 costs. Increases in construction costs and delays in utility relocation work means the project cost now is so high, Lawton would be responsible for 50 percent of costs under the original agreement.

Responding to a letter from Painter, ODOT agreed to provide an additional $1.8 million toward the work, leaving Lawton to pay an additional $450,197.93. In total, that means ODOT is covering $8,626,791.70 of the contract cost and Lawton, $5,155,557.15. Construction is expected to start later this year.