Oklahoma shortline eyes more repair work

An additional two locations along the Union Pacific line between Shawnee, Okla. and Oklahoma City, Okla. may be renovated. Bids for four "critical locations" along the 38-mile line cost less than what was anticipated, said Edward Landreth, a consulting civil engineer for Arkansas & Oklahoma Railroad, who leases the line. Bids for the four locations totaled about $2.6 million, he said, adding he estimated about $3 million for the project initially. "It's possible to extend the contract for two or three more locations," Landreth said. There is still about $1.5 million left from the stimulus grant, he added. "We just started the fourth of the original four locations," he said. With a possibility of improving more additional locations, Landreth said he would need to talk with R&R Contracting about completing more than the original four at the same contracted rate. Last week, Landreth said the Oklahoma Department of Transportation inspected the job and authorized two other locations for possible inclusion with the rest of the money. As the contract currently stands, the fourth location should be completed between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, Landreth said. If work continues, it would begin the first week of January and be completed by the middle of March, he said.