Atkins, part of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is providing construction management services for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA). The contract will assist OTA with its Driving Forward plan. OTA’s US$892 million expansion and improvement plan is focussing on six key turnpike development works, for which Atkins is providing assistance on three projects.
“We are committed to doing our part to make Oklahoma’s turnpike system safer and less congested, while providing commuters with the potential for shorter travel times,” said Atkins project manager Ira Barrow. “Drawing from our longtime relationship with OTA, and our past and ongoing turnpike work, we will successfully deliver our new project assignments.”
Atkins’ work on Driving Forward projects totals more than $20 million and includes work to the Southwest Kilpatrick Extension and John Kilpatrick Turnpike projects. The work is for an 11km extension that will connect southwest Oklahoma City and the metro area with the urban core. The new link will offer an alternate route to Will Rogers World Airport, located southwest of the downtown area. Atkins will perform construction management, resident engineering and inspection services. The corridor extension is darted with school zones, residential areas, utilities, and major roadway intersections and interchanges. As a result, extensive planning and ongoing communication with OTA, contractors and the community will be pivotal action items.
The firm is also working on upgrades to boost the safety of the Turner Turnpike. Since 2010, this 35km section of Turner Turnpike has seen 15 fatalities and over 500 crashes. Once complete, improved lighting, wider lanes and additional travel lanes are expected to boost safety. The upgrades will also create an urban corridor, making way for future truck-specific and high-occupancy vehicle lanes. Atkins’ construction management and oversight services will cover road widening and new bridges along a 17.6km stretch of the route.
