Dibble Residents Upset Over Highway Construction, Execution

A three-mile stretch of highway under construction west of Dibble has been a source of controversy between residents and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. 

The asphalt is being laid now, but residents who live up and down this road say the process of getting here has been a nightmare. 

"It's been extremely difficult on all of us," said Doug Jarden, a homeowner and business owner near the construction zone. "They left it in a horrible mess up and down through here."  

He got hit twice as hard as others. 

"My biggest problem that I’ve had is this road right here," he said, referencing the road that leads to his café. "They promised they would never block it... They blocked it. It hindered my business."  

Doug says he isn't alone. 

"We've talked to the tenants up and down the highway," said Doug. "People we're going off in ditches because the gravel wasn't put down."  

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation says they “understand the reconstruction has been challenging” and “their engineers and contractors have tried to minimize impacts.” ODOT, in agreement with Silver Star Construction, says the “unseasonably wet summer” created the muddy conditions seen in the photos of the active construction zone. 

Additionally, they say “Safety is their top priority; everyone will benefit from having a smoother, safer highway.”

Doug does agree that the new highway is a good thing. 

"The road itself is going to be an asset to people up and down the highway," he said. 

But he still wanted more communication from the agencies. 

"It seemed like every time there was something, if we didn't say something it didn't get addressed at all," he said.  

According to Doug, a blocked road looks very different in a small town. 

"I know in Oklahoma City they've got 500 roads shut down and they don't have the difficulties that we've had in this small town," said Doug.  

According to ODOT and Silver Star, the project is now ahead of schedule. 

ODOT’s full statement can be read here: 

We understand the reconstruction of SH-39 in Dibble has been challenging for local businesses and homeowners and we appreciate their patience. Our engineers and contractors have tried to minimize the impact to drivers since lanes were closed in February, recently reopening to through traffic. An unseasonably wet summer created muddy conditions in an active construction zone which the contractor worked to address in a reasonable amount of time. 

The contractor is currently on schedule with the more than $10 million project that includes a complete removal and reconstruction of the lanes and the addition of shoulders for nearly 3 miles as part of the department’s effort to add shoulders to two lane highways. The contract allows for approximately 60 more days of work. 

Again, we would like to thank the local businesses and homeowners for their patience and understanding. Safety is our top priority; everyone will benefit from having a smoother, safer highway.