Commission approves two change orders exceeding statutory limits; ODOT reports emergency bridge repair and property-damage settlement

The Transportation Commission approved Item 1-19, two change orders that required commission approval because each caused a contract to exceed the statutorily authorized 15% limit on new items for contracts under $1 million.

Part (a) concerned a District 3 bridge repair on State Highway 9 over US-77 in Cleveland County. The district reported that on July 11 a piece of construction equipment being hauled by the city of Norman struck the eastbound SH-9 bridge over US-77, damaging beams and diaphragms. ODOT Bridge Division recommended repairing beam 1 by resectioning and flame-straightening beam 2. To avoid schedule impacts, the district recommended inserting the required repairs into the existing contract with B & B Construction Service and requested an additional $300,000. Because that amount exceeded the statutory 15% limit, commission approval was required; the commission voted to approve the change order.

Part (b) addressed a District 8 resurfacing contract on US-75A in Sapulpa (Creek County). Shortly after contract completion the new asphalt exhibited a "washboard" movement. ODOT geotechnical work discovered underlying brick, wood and concrete—remnants of an old trolley tract—beneath the pavement. The department recommended removing the unstable materials and repaving at an anticipated additional cost of $140,000; because the added cost caused the contract to exceed the 15% statutory threshold for projects under $1,000,000, commission approval was required and was granted.

Separately, staff provided an emergency-declaration briefing (Item 1-20) for District 7 (Comanche County) covering overheight vehicle impact damage to Dale Mission Road over westbound US-62 approximately three miles west of Lawton. The executive director issued an emergency declaration on July 3, 2025, for a contract value of $600,000, and the work was completed by Flame On Incorporated with traffic restored by July 17, 2025. Staff said the responsible party is known and that ODOT will seek to bill them.

The commission also approved Item 1-21, a settlement acceptance for damage to state property after a vehicle left the roadway and struck the underside of a bridge near Hugo; the motorist died. Staff said the motorist had $50,000 in liability insurance and the insurer had offered the $50,000 policy limit; the office of general counsel recommended acceptance of the settlement, and the commission approved the recommendation.

Each action that required commission approval was moved and seconded on the record and approved by vote without detailed roll-call tallies in the transcript.