Owasso council receives updates on Garnett Road, East 96th and public works facility projects

At the first Owasso City Council meeting of 2026, city staff presented a detailed status update on a series of street, utility and facility projects, including Garnett Road improvements, several East 96th Street corridor projects and the near-complete public works administration building.

Travis Blendu, the project presenter for the city, told councilors the Garnett Road improvements from 6th Street to 116th Street are progressing: “The contractor is currently continuing to install the 12 inch water line as well as prepare the site … for the bridge to be able to go across Garnett,” he said. Blendu said contractors have remobilized on the west phase of the East 96th Street North improvements and that utility relocations and signage work are underway before construction resumes.

Blendu gave timing estimates for several items: intersection improvements at East 106th and North 129th are expected to start in March; relocation of utilities for East 96th/North 145th should be done in March with construction to follow in September 2026; 60% design plans for another segment were expected by Feb. 1, 2026, and 90% plans for other projects were targeted by July 2026. He also reported the public works administration building is nearing completion and staff expect to begin moving furniture by the end of the month, with interior work on other facilities anticipated to finish by April 2026.

During questions, a councilor asked about the Bear Creek project’s schedule; Blendu said the contract period was 45 days. Councilors also pressed staff about whether flashing yellow left‑turn arrows could be reinstalled at the 129th/96th intersections. Blendu said the city relies on outside traffic consultants for detailed recommendations and that consultants cited safety and lane-width concerns in their evaluations. “Engineers are gonna make recommendations,” he said, and staff will include consideration of flashing yellow arrows in upcoming reviews and return with recommendations.

Blendu also reported the 117th force main replacement is nearing completion with temporary pumping to tie into the lift station and work moving toward the treatment plant. He said the 76th Street North water line replacement is complete and in service, with final surface restoration ongoing. For the Ranch Creek Trail, Blendu said the environmental consultant provided feedback and the consultant GH2 will submit alternate exhibits for staff review by Jan. 26, 2026.

Votes at a glance: The council approved the consent agenda in a roll-call vote after a motion to approve was made and seconded; councilors present voted in the affirmative.

Next steps: staff will return with consultant recommendations and updated traffic timing plans that will address council questions about left-turn signal options and other traffic-safety concerns.