Departments of Transportation

Representative Experience: Oklahoma Capital Improvements Program

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Capital Improvements Program was created in May 1997 with the passage of House Bill 1629 by the Oklahoma Legislature. This bill provided $1 billion in additional funding for 110 highway projects across the state. It was the largest public works program in the history of Oklahoma.

The initial allocation of funds from the CIP program totaled $1 billion. The funds were allocated among the eight ODOT field divisions. The two field divisions that encompass the state’s major urban areas (Oklahoma City and Tulsa) were each allocated $200 million. The six remaining divisions were each allocated $100 million.

The CIP projects included highway and bridge improvements, ranging from small intersection improvements, resurfacing, and two-lane upgrades to major urban freeway reconstruction projects. The two largest projects in the program were the widening and reconstruction of seven miles of the Broadway Extension (U.S. 77) in Oklahoma City ($56 million), and a similar six-lane upgrade over eight miles of the Broken Arrow Expressway (S.H. 51) in Tulsa ($65 million).

Preconstruction activities for the various projects included environmental clearances, surveying and mapping, geotechnical investigations, design and construction plans, public involvement, appraisals, appraisal review, right-of-way acquisition and relocation assistance, and utility relocations.

Cinnabar was the successful bidder for all 18 projects in ODOT Division 8 and was also awarded nine projects in Division 4, seven projects in Division 1, two projects in Division 5, and one project in Division 3. The 37 projects on which Cinnabar provided services represented more than 60% of the CIP money allocated by the Oklahoma Legislature.

In a majority of the projects, Cinnabar was responsible for providing “turnkey” acquisition and relocation assistance services, including coordination of surveying, appraisals, review appraisals and utility relocations, and provided closing services, condemnation support and oversight of demolition and disposal contractors. Project administrative offices were operated as needed at project sites.

In all, Cinnabar acquired more than 1,200 parcels and provided relocation assistance services for approximately 225 displaced businesses and residents on the 37 projects, including the U.S. 77 and S.H. 51 projects mentioned above. Cinnabar is proud to note that all deadline and budgetary requirements of the scopes of work were met, and the condemnation rate on the 900 parcels for which Cinnabar was responsible was less than ten percent.