Road work is still in progress downtown in Checotah as businesses owners balance parking and drivers navigate alternative directions. ODOT crews are working from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to lay the much-needed new asphalt and the City of Checotah is updating ODOT’s work in progress on the city’s media page.
ODOT has been milling and repairing concrete from the stoplight on Broadway and Gentry and beyond. They have already laid asphalt between NW Main and Broadway and have been cutting damaged concrete on westbound Broadway and Enterprise.
Last Tuesday, they laid asphalt between the railroad tracks and First Street.
Detours and construction signs are in place and drivers should use caution where lanes are narrow and uneven.
The mayor spoke with one of the Ross Construction workers who stated they are approximately three weeks out from being finished. There have been some issues that have come up since starting the project, like asphalt plant break down. However, they should have the bad spots in concrete repaired and new asphalt down from railroad tracks to Enterprise in about three weeks.
“I know it might be an inconvenience for people for a little while and we apologize for that,” Mayor Daniel Tarkington said. “However, a lot of work goes into fixing streets correctly and we greatly appreciate ODOT for making sure that it’s done right. We don’t want a job done poorly that in a year it is back like it was before. Unfortunately that takes time. To fix these roads properly they first start by milling up the old asphalt, repairing the concrete surface, leveling coats of asphalt and then repeating with one to two more layers of asphalt. Then finally they finish up with striping the lines down the roads. So a lot of time and money goes into fixing these roads correctly. So a big thanks to ODOT for all their hard work.
“Meanwhile we hope everyone will continue to support our downtown businesses. My family and I just love our downtown and all the business owners so this past Saturday we went from business to business doing a little bit of shopping. Of course to my wife it was just a little bit of shopping, but to me it was a lot of shopping. We want to encourage everyone if you haven’t been into some of the downtown shops you need to check them all out. You never know what you might find in one from a great antique to a new shirt to a new product line they might be selling from the last time you visited them. So remember to shop local and show your support for these businesses. Also remember that courtesy and patience goes a long way on the road to progress.”
If anyone has any questions or concerns about the construction they are asked to please contact ODOT.
