State-funded I‑35/Highway 412 lighting project will cost city maintenance, electricity

A state-led lighting project at the I‑35/Highway 412 interchange is about 60% complete and expected to go out to bid this summer, city staff told the Mayor and Board of Commissioners during a study session. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has secured construction funding for what staff described as a $2,600,000 project; the city would take responsibility for maintenance and the electric bill after installation.

The update matters because the city will pick up long-term operating costs that accompany the lights. City staff estimated the electricity bill at roughly $4,000 a year based on existing local accounts and said the city will handle bulb replacement and other maintenance tasks once the lights are active. Staff said ODOT is treating the work as an ODOT project and expects the city to manage routine upkeep after completion, similar to other state highway projects in town.

City staff said engineers have produced 60% design plans and staff participated in a remote coordination call with the project engineers. The presentation said ODOT expects the project to be advertised for bid and to begin construction by September, though no contract awards or start dates were shown at the meeting. The project will light the interchange and, according to staff, improve visibility and safety at the curve coming from Oklahoma City.

Commissioners also asked whether signage would be included; staff said the current project is lighting only. Earlier conversations had considered a city wayfinding sign near the interchange, but staff noted right-of-way restrictions could prevent sign placement inside the state right-of-way. If the city pursues a separate wayfinding sign, staff estimated — citing past, older projects — that a single sign had cost about $20,000 many years ago and would likely cost more today.

City staff described how maintenance will be procured: the airport and public-works staffs have local vendor relationships and would obtain quotes or hire contractors as needed in accordance with finance procedures rather than running a standing contract for every service. Staff also said the city would handle any insurance claims if a pole were damaged in a traffic crash.

The presentation named Representative Caldwell and Tim Gatz, director of ODOT, as contacts who helped advance the project. No formal action or vote was taken at the study session; the item was presented for information and to solicit questions from commissioners.

For now commissioners asked staff to continue coordination and to provide design plans when available. Staff said they had requested copies of the 60% plans but had not yet received them.