[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6658991,"mediaKeyId","2474216-5d1d00feb0202e02803ffce125973096","parentId",2474216,"title","ODOT names Matt Mitchell district engineer for District 4; commission recognizes staff promotions","audioSeconds",185,"startMs",155000,"endMs",340000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2474216-5d1d00feb0202e02803ffce125973096&start=155&end=340","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2474216-5d1d00feb0202e02803ffce125973096/thumbnail_155000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6658991/Oklahoma/ODOT-names-Matt-Mitchell-district-engineer-for-District-4-commission-recognizes-staff-promotions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658991-3f1d635ecbcab1681731c5e9892fc4e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040011&Signature=f8fogoxvxVmj519Hkx3TlraWit127w90dfLzcoEOzA7V5SL~KOX9ucTshphGk06MjWMVIhPd1onmO32ukUfE9eRYC5eZuRy5j2eMTZXQWhiKXvZKxssNzlPUNBNNOKcBwC~Awse9CqXHBxVQ1uiZwFDy9AlnkURuXLTxILKXZB3BJ7quDZc5dItzW~w5Eye6paaq5reziT-7Su2IBFE1IHxchXgO9yfuz0PN2DraEiTw1cKH6c6VUl5MsKW0wkq4wBNfenIj4PsjAiLUtbPG3sx9bCq4cqL7zdiN3tvugF~FRAVDLOQn3c-2j9yv7F-hq1-KG3wnAFXbOtKAJstLfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Transportation","date","2025-03-03T19:41:22.093Z","article","The Oklahoma Transportation Commission on March 2025 heard the announcement that Matt Mitchell was appointed district engineer for District 4, based in Perry, and recognized outgoing District 4 leadership following internal promotions.

Sean Davis announced Mitchell’s appointment and read the appointee’s biography: Mitchell joined ODOT in February 2009 as an inspector at the Stillwater residency; after joining the State Roadway Design Squad in 2011 he earned a civil engineering degree in 2014 and obtained his professional engineer license in 2016. He subsequently served as division 4 bridge engineer, area maintenance engineer, Stillwater resident engineer and district 4 rural construction engineer before being named local government division engineer in 2024. Davis noted Mitchell lives in Stillwater with his wife and two daughters.

The commission also recognized Trent Becker, who the department announced had been promoted to a leadership role at the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority; ODOT staff thanked Becker for nearly 20 years of service and praised his work in multiple district roles. Director Gatz and commissioners offered congratulations to both Mitchell and Becker.

No formal action or vote was required for the announcement; personnel announcements were presented as informational items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 3, 2025 ODOT Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The commission heard the appointment of Matt Mitchell as District 4 engineer in Perry, Oklahoma, and recognized Trent Becker (district engineer) for his promotion to a position at the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.","taxTitle","Transportation, Executive, Oklahoma","taxId",27361,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6658995,"ODOT director outlines winter costs, Route 66 map and new Lawton pedestrian bridge",265,1535000,1800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2474216-5d1d00feb0202e02803ffce125973096&start=1535&end=1800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2474216-5d1d00feb0202e02803ffce125973096/thumbnail_1535000.jpg","/articles/6658995/Oklahoma/ODOT-director-outlines-winter-costs-Route-66-map-and-new-Lawton-pedestrian-bridge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658995-33711feebe79acbd91b13eb2ae30cead/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040011&Signature=dayAqrTg07hHIR96N76EP73khDRQuAnQhICsxlqIrZx-wr5xARSqN1MCj2iUxmC4uhv7IfwxrcsS13flwVJsjc7IwZoA19WefK-k4tua55r1toWX~TlVgUgoH97UAOAi7YU-wkudUwZp27jLvBbFC03~9iXH8LL4lHbtRwyFxI8c8fWo2-HIl262iSaDEVdIzmlM2GPw2xBGqt2K1yhkHTKkKcYEJQj7BI70JISEDUy3lmfoGt~D4LVQ~kG20Frxsy3tRuGzp-RKlqvM5cxnJOicHCYYLPFEVNa3URtj7jCzrXBzI5uMFyGbbSS9c1NZbagaLb92BVAiGpVQ0d9usw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Gatz told the Oklahoma Transportation Commission on March 2025 that the department spent several million dollars and tens of thousands of staff hours responding to a series of significant winter storms, and provided updates on several statewide initiatives including a Route 66 centennial map and a completed pedestrian bridge in Lawton.

Gatz reported that this winter ODOT used about 34,000 tons of salt‑and‑sand mix and approximately 824,000 gallons of brine, at an estimated materials cost of about $4,400,000. The department recorded roughly 89,000 man‑hours fighting winter weather and at times had as many as 80 trucks in for service because of wear on equipment. District 4 used about 10,000 tons of material and District 6 used about 400,000 gallons of brine, Gatz said.

“The storms we did have were very demanding,” Gatz said, noting that some parts of the state saw unusual snowfall and statewide icing events that were costly in both labor and material. He said ODOT is balancing maintenance and life‑cycle investments and reminded motorists to obey work‑zone limits and “buckle up.”

Gatz also announced the unveiling of a Route 66 centric state map produced in coordination with the Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and tourism partners. The map is a commemorative print tied to the Route 66 centennial in 2026; the department has printed in excess of one million copies and may reprint if demand warrants.

On completed projects, Gatz highlighted a pedestrian bridge on I‑44 at Gore Boulevard in Lawton funded through the Transportation Alternatives Program and a local partnership; he described the project as about $2.5 million, with construction starting July 2024 and completing in January 2025. The bridge separates pedestrians and bicyclists from vehicle traffic and includes crossing signals and additional sidewalks.

Commissioner Alexander praised the department’s expanded use of brine pretreatment, saying it has made a measurable difference on northwest roads and can often be seen by pretreated stripes prior to storms. Gatz credited local districts for piloting the practice and said it is now used statewide.

The director noted that proposed letting lists for April–June remain tentative because Congress has been operating under a continuing resolution; the department is monitoring federal appropriations and keeping the commission informed.","Director Gatz updated the Transportation Commission on winter-storm response costs and materials, the Route 66 centennial map print run, use of brine pretreatment statewide, and completion of a $2.5 million pedestrian bridge in Lawton.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659000,"Commission approves multiple engineering contracts and supplements totaling several million",181,435000,616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2474216-5d1d00feb0202e02803ffce125973096&start=435&end=616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2474216-5d1d00feb0202e02803ffce125973096/thumbnail_435000.jpg","/articles/6659000/Oklahoma/Commission-approves-multiple-engineering-contracts-and-supplements-totaling-several-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659000-800dbe01936d4fc64b1ab9cfe33230d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040011&Signature=mQDFV9Ppz7-6sM-XKrotiKwspK-WAsMQMB4Xk5ySjlnQIqY-JRu6vC5CXOcdPHBG5rjTgCSv44xZFRqvOf5jYlHHxAHL4mjIMY6IzmL6zqJnNpDBrfJUcL42Jd2oy4EHpjK4tIEdW~S9R2jPVFfqai0be-isMhWXV3gIhh-~F2fWaHUcMG1G-s3OBYsKM8dLcS3t3rtidnHvFSxZ67UK5V7nzMHPyaAVRqAnUcsq7~InSHBgHIFQ7lT1~6XKKqDPO0crghPZvwYFpP479OcfiYi21lFisHo943aU6BHNT58~dmKmoqeG3y4j3aLbveTJm5YpYj7D6grPpzqMwTgQIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma Transportation Commission on March 2025 approved several engineering contracts and contract supplements covering statewide on‑demand services and district-specific design work.

ODOT staff presented Item 33 — engineering contracts — describing multiple selections: six firms for on‑demand traffic engineering (Burgess & Niple; Freese and Nichols; Garver; Kimberly Horn & Associates; Lee Engineering; Walter P. Moore & Associates) with a combined contract value of $3,000,000; Grossman and Keith Engineering for on‑demand overload permit studies at $500,000; and district projects including a District 5 Beckham County I‑40 project (intersection and bridge work) with a contract to Consor Engineers not to exceed $1,500,000. District 8 projects on US‑59 and State Highway 10 awarded design work to CH Guernsey ($1,713,675) and Cowen Group Engineering (amount not to exceed and included in the 8‑year construction plan), with scheduled federal fiscal year letting dates in 2029–2030.

Commissioner Dyson moved approval of item 33, seconded by Commissioner Coburn; the motion passed.

Separately, Item 34 covered contract supplements. ODOT presented a first supplement to previously selected consultants for on‑demand ancillary structure safety inspections (aggregate increase $1,500,000) and a $23,900 supplement for Smith Roberts Balchweiler on State Highway 304 in Woodward County. A motion to approve Item 34 was made and the commission approved the supplements.

ODOT staff said projects are included in the department’s eight‑year construction work plan and provided tentative letting timelines. The commission recorded approval but no detailed roll‑call tallies were stated in the public transcript.

Commissioners asked no substantive follow-up questions during presentations on these items.","The commission approved statewide on‑demand engineering contracts and multiple district projects, including $3 million in on‑demand traffic engineering contracts and supplements increasing aggregate limits by $1.5 million.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659005,"Transportation commission approves $3.91 million in extra payments after Union Pacific alters demolition requirements",138,752000,890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2474216-5d1d00feb0202e02803ffce125973096&start=752&end=890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2474216-5d1d00feb0202e02803ffce125973096/thumbnail_752000.jpg","/articles/6659005/Oklahoma/Transportation-commission-approves-391-million-in-extra-payments-after-Union-Pacific-alters-demolition-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659005-f87951bfdb7588971e7eefef806c3dbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040011&Signature=h3Nn1UXIbsNHik8gDryaeT3pF9Xh6I6DeR1sVIP1UK~flcjQsenDrR-ITmAG9xCE410pa7Z~AQMMctR2rwuqQkZ4oL3NcWXHVSAi406OpFlhO2vdqxFsXuFkcj5RMbbICmRg7bvjYIz4NO1KTUd01GRk0PHy4NMBezJQKZLOpI4e6yeGB1AhHgCL8NW9qgaLg-fsLUrKzYmktIzA5sIqvfLClS~zds6aRRRG14CvvUDfbtQBJuUZ-jYWNftOUn5KUzeLh8Mg0Zhzirco-1HOPzvymmD9CjCnPsv~P7YNK8BTlKS4tQcFyQY5pheuCcwLgDHPD6AcnPXadgHmKGgGnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma Transportation Commission on March 2025 approved an additional payment of $3,912,494.34 to Frontier Bridge Inc. related to a US-69 bridge and approach contract in Wagner, Oklahoma, after the Union Pacific Railroad required changes to demolition methods and delayed approval of demolition plans.

The payment supplements a contract the commission originally awarded on Sept. 11, 2023, for $11,790,918.43 with a contract time of 490 calendar days. ODOT staff said the railroad’s new requirements prevented the contractor from “rubbleiz[ing]” the bridge and instead required cutting the structure into sections and removing them with large cranes — a method that necessitated specialized equipment and higher costs. That change increased the contract by $3,387,120.78, and an overrun of previously approved overhead compensation (228 days at a daily rate of $2,304.27) added $525,373.56, for a total $3,912,494.34 increase that exceeded the 10% statutory limit on contract changes and required commission approval.

Sean Davis, who presented the claim to the commission, said the department and contractor discovered the railroad’s revised demands only after submission of the contractor’s demolition plan and that the approval process took substantially longer than anticipated. “We were informed that we would not be able to rubbleize,” Davis said, describing how that change forced use of large cranes and specialized demolition practices.

Commissioners discussed whether the railroads can change requirements without clear timelines; ODOT staff said there are standard practices it can promote but that each railroad review and each job’s crane/placement needs will remain somewhat unique. Director Gatz said ODOT is increasing communication with railroads to reduce similar surprises in future bids.

Because the added compensation exceeded the departmental threshold, the commission’s formal approval was required and recorded as granted. The commission did not provide a roll-call vote tally in the verbal record.

ODOT staff said supporting documentation for the claimed amount was submitted and reviewed by the department before the request. The department also reported it has met with Union Pacific and BNSF to try to establish clearer processes and timelines for demolition-plan reviews so future bids can reflect railroad requirements and avoid large, unanticipated costs.

The approved additional payment applies to the contract awarded to Frontier Bridge Inc. for the US-69 bridge over the Union Pacific right of way near the State Highway 51 junction in Wagner.","The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved an additional $3,912,494.34 to Frontier Bridge Inc. for a US-69 bridge contract in Wagner after Union Pacific Railroad required more costly demolition methods and prolonged approval, pushing the change above the statutory 10% limit and requiring commission approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ODOT names Matt Mitchell district engineer for District 4; commission recognizes staff promotions

ODOT director outlines winter costs, Route 66 map and new Lawton pedestrian bridge

Commission approves multiple engineering contracts and supplements totaling several million

Transportation commission approves $3.91 million in extra payments after Union Pacific alters demolition requirements