When will the Tuxedo Bridge repair project begin? Will the bridge be closed during the project?
A contract for project was awarded to Wildcat Construction by the City Council on Oct. 7. Once the contracts and bonds are returned by the contractor, which generally takes two to four weeks, a preconstruction meeting will be set. A construction start will be determined at that time, according to Director of Engineering Micah Siemers.
“It could start by the end of the year, but after Jan. 1, 2025 is more likely,” Siemers said. “Environmental considerations require that the bridge deck must be removed before March 1, 2025, so the timing of the first half of the project will be based on that target,” he said.
The westbound bridge will be closed and all traffic will be diverted to the eastbound bridge, reduced to one way each direction, for the duration of the project which is anticipated to take about seven months to complete.
The project has faced delays due to several factors, including environmental regulatory requirements related to bats and mussels that nest in and live in the water under the bridge, as well as initial bids that came in over budget. The scope of the project was reduced by eliminating preventative maintenance items that had been included, which brough the cost down to just slightly over budget. Remaining funds will be provided through savings in the Indiana Overlay Project. For more information, see Tuxedo Bridge repairs to get underway soon.
What’s going in there?
What is going on in the old Skate World/AFC building on North Highway 75? And what about Lincoln Electric coming to Bartlesville?
Lincoln Electric Products
Lincoln Electric Products will locate in the former Siemens building, which is outside city limits and not subject to the City of Bartlesville’s permitting requirements. However, Bartlesville Development Authority Vice President of Business Development Chris Batchelder said the company is expanding their operations from their New Jersey headquarters and has purchased the former Siemen’ building near the airport. “They are in the process of working with a local architecture and engineering firm to finalize plans to retrofit the building to their needs. They have been on site several times and will be hiring a local operations manager soon,” he said.
The City Council approved incentive funds in January for up to 100 new full-time employees for the company over a 36-month period, and allocated up to $1 million for the Resident Recruitment Program employee relocation incentive for up to 100 new residents associated with the company’s expansion.
The RRP consists of:
- $10,000 cash upon the purchase of a primary residence within the City of Bartlesville
- $20,000 cash assistance for new custom construction of a primary residence within the City of Bartlesville
- $10,000 cash assistance for new custom construction of a primary residence outside the city limits but within the Bartlesville School District
Existing employees who currently do not reside in Bartlesville could also be eligible under the program if they were to purchase or rent a primary residence and move to Bartlesville.
LEP Chief Operating Officer Harv Khangura said this week the company hopes to begin the hiring process next spring and has a soft target date to begin operations next summer.
ABC Supply Co.
According to the Community Development Department, ABC Supply Co. will be occupying the former skating rink property on north Highway 75. Plans are currently under review. City staff have not been given a potential start date on construction.
Annual Halloween disclaimer
What day should kids trick-or-treat for Halloween this year?
The City doesn’t close for Halloween and has never designated a specific day on which to celebrate it. Whenever and however you choose to do it, be safe and have fun!