Indian Road repairs shift into high gear

Plans for the repair of Indian Road shifted into high gear Tuesday at the Sequoyah County Commissioners meeting, as the commissioners announced a $500,000 gift from the Cherokee Nation to kickstart the project, and awarded a bid to begin roadwork.

The windfall from the Cherokee Nation will serve as front money for the county to begin work, and the county will repay the gift when federal and state monies are received.

Meanwhile, Robinson Construction of Poteau was awarded the bid to repair the sinking roadway before it collapses as it has in two places on either side of the Sequoyah-Cherokee county line. The commissioners said the Cherokee Nation is funding and coordinating repairs to the most drastic areas on either side of the county line, in addition to providing funds to allow Sequoyah County to initiate repairs further south on the road. Robinson Construction was the low bidder at $573,484.42.

The commissioners also approved an agreement to work on private property between the county and Patricia Richards on South 4510 Road to repair a metal pipe that collapsed.

A claim form was approved for payment to Union Pacific Railroad for the Dwight Mission Road resurfacing project.

The annual resolution was approved to hold an election for the board of directors for the Sequoyah County Fair Board. Nine directors, three for each of the county districts, are elected each year. The election is scheduled for March 11.

Approval of a plat for LGM Farm Homes subdivision was tabled until the commissioners’ next meeting.

Continuing a discussion from a week ago, the commissioners approved a proclamation designating Feb. 13 as Amber Alert Day for the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.

The commissioners meet Mondays at 10 a.m. in the Board of Commissioners meeting room in the Sequoyah County Courthouse Annex.