City staff says Smith Ferry Road design near complete but right‑of‑way delays stall final design

Public works staff provided a progress update on the Smith Ferry Road widening project, saying the one‑mile design from Gulick to U.S. 64 is nearing completion but cannot be finalized until the city completes remaining right‑of‑way acquisitions.

"At this point in time, Olsen has reached the end of its current contract for right of way acquisition, but we still have more right of way we intend to acquire," said Mister Rigney, who gave the report. He said staff has purchased about 60% of the needed right of way and is evaluating whether to amend the current Olson contract or hire another acquisition group the city has used before.

The project would convert the existing two‑lane, open‑ditch roadway into a curb‑and‑gutter three‑lane street with underground storm sewer tied to an existing five‑acre detention pond. The scope also includes replacement of a corrugated metal culvert with a concrete box culvert and relocation of water, sewer and gas utility lines. "The gas line is in a private easement owned by the gas company, so the city has to pay Oklahoma Natural Gas to move their line," Rigney said.

Rigney noted an added alternate for a spur road to improve a three‑way intersection alignment; that spur is contingent on budget and bids and will directly affect one property owner who has already executed a right‑of‑way purchase agreement. He also said the project is a cost‑share with the Muscogee Creek Nation.

There was no formal action requested on the agenda item: staff described options for continuing right‑of‑way work and said construction cost estimates remain pending until bidding and additional design tasks are complete. The committee indicated support for the report.