The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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March 16, 2010

Bridge work costs drop more than $500,000 to city of Enid

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — The city of Enid has saved more than $500,000 for bridge work authorized in a 2008 bond issue.

Geoff Covalt, consulting engineer for the city, went over some of the items Tuesday during the regular Enid City Commission meeting.

Covalt asked for a change order for work on a bridge on Cleveland over Boggy Creek, which adjusts all contract items. Through three change orders the cost has dropped from $429,000 to $256,000.

Work on a bridge on Market over a tributary of Skeleton Creek has gone from $288,000 to $244,000, and another bridge project on Cleveland over Boggy Creek dropped from $670,000 to a final cost of $432,000.

Covalt said he has worked with contractors and used some alternate products to cut down the cost.

City Manager Eric Benson commended Covalt for saving  the money, saying it is nearly 18 percent of the multi-million dollar bond issue.

Commissioners ultimately may spend as much as $35,000 for an alert system to prevent trucks from running into the railroad underpass on East Maine.

During the study session, Public Works Director Jim McClain told commissioners there have been 26 trucks run into the low bridge in the last five years. The average cost to the city is $1,000 for each event. The underpass is 11 feet, 4 inches high and is marked with flashing lights and signs both east and west of the bridge. However, McClain said trucks still regularly strike the bridge.

He proposed an electronic beam system that would sound a horn and flash lights if an over-height vehicle drove toward the bridge. A sign would direct the driver to turn because the vehicle was too high.

McClain said the beam would be adjusted to sight lower than the bridge so anything near the height would receive the warning.

“It’s an alert system, and it sets off an alarm if the truck is overheight,” he said.

Since the system was discussed in study session no votes were taken. The discussion was requested by Mayor John Criner.

During the study session, commissioners also discussed the dog park at Crosslin Park.

Construction has begun, with initial fencing under way and sod work scheduled. Robert Hitt, director of engineering, brought commissioners up to date during the study session. Hitt said the park has a problem with stickers and the sod will be treated every year with both pre-emergent and post-emergent chemicals to prevent dogs getting stickers in their feet.  Benson said the park will need extensive chemical treatment every year.

The estimated cost of the park is $40,000.

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