The Duncan Banner

Local News

August 7, 2012

Road project with Chickasaw Nation gets commissioners approval

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — The Board of Stephens County Commissioners will be putting an agreement with the Chickasaw Nation to work to add a new surface to a portion of Tucker Road.

During Monday’s regular meeting, the board approved a cooperative agreement between Stephens County and the Chickasaw Nation for a new double chip and seal surface on the road way. This portion of the street is in Stephens County District 2.

The project, along with similar projects through the Chickasaw Nation, is aimed at improving streets and bridges used by Native American citizens, whether for work, school, medical care and other services.

The project is the first one since the commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the Chickasaw Nation, which would provide some funding to help improve the roadways Chickasaw Nation citizens use. The memorandum of understanding was approved during the March 26 regular meeting.

Todd Churchman, District 1 commissioner and board chairman, said the roadwork would go from Oklahoma Highway 7 to Terry Road.

“They obligated $50,000 for that,” Churchman said. “It took $55,000 to do it. That’s not bad.”

Because of the memorandum of understanding, the Chickasaw Nation is authorized to obligate funds for such road and bridge projects.

In other action:

n The board approved the Stephens County Emergency Operation Plan. The plan provides the framework for each city, town and county department in Stephens County to plan and perform their respective emergency functions during a disaster or national emergency.

n Churchman discussed a project proposed by Halliburton Energy Services. The company wants the county’s help to construct a new entrance off Second Street.

The project would be mostly on private property but would also involve the county’s right-of-way. Churchman wasn’t sure of a time frame the company might be looking at, but he was uncertain how the upcoming District 2 election would impact such a project.

“I want to get it done this fall if I’m going to do it,” Churchman said. “I don’t know if they can do it that quickly. I’m not going to possibly obligate someone else.”

Because a portion of the project is on private property, the commissioners aren’t sure if they can take on the project.

“I’d talk to the DA,” Darrell Sparks, District 1 commissioner, said.

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