Civic and business leaders from Elk City and Altus joined legislators and officials from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Aug. 28 to celebrate the completion of yet another segment of SH-6 between the two cities. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Retrop junction of SH-6 and SH-55E, officially opening the new section of four-lane highway.

The improvement is part of an overall plan to widen the Altus-to-Elk City corridor to four lanes. The recently completed project included a bridge and new alignment from just south of Retrop to Sadler Creek, located just north of SH-55W.

“This improvement is the latest in a series of projects to widen SH-6 and provide safer traveling for motorists as well as improved movement of commerce along that corridor,” said ODOT Director Gary Ridley.

Sewell Brothers Inc. was awarded the contract for bridge construction and earthwork at a cost of $4.75 million. That phase of the project began in May 2004 and was finished in May 2007.

Paving of the new alignment began in January 2007. The contractor for that portion of the project was Dobson Bros. Construction Co., at a cost of $11 million, bringing the total cost of the project to $15.8 million.

Among those attending the ribbon cutting were State Sen. Tom Ivester, State Rep. Purcy Walker, members of the Elk City Chamber of Commerce, Ridley and other ODOT staff and crew members. The Elk City Chamber of Commerce served as host.

The next portion of SH-6 to be improved consists of a segment 5 mi. (8 km) north of SH-9, extending north 3.7 mi. (5.9 km).

Work on that section is expected to begin in the fall. Current plans are to begin final work on the Elk City-to-Altus corridor in 2016, but are dependent upon funding for future projects.

For more information, visit www.okladot.state.ok.us.

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