Contractor hires Green to inspect turnpike projects

By JAMES BEATY

Senior Editor

Former McAlester City Manager Randy Green has been serving as an on-site representative, or inspector, for at least two projects on the Indian Nation Turnpike, the McAlester News-Capital has confirmed.

He’s not a state employee, though.

The News-Capital recently requested a list of projects under way on state turnpikes through the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

Several projects on the Indian Nation Turnpike were included on the list.

One of the projects calls for replacing damaged or worn pavement on the turnpike for 17 miles south of Interstate 40.

Another project calls for replacing damaged or discolored signs along the Indian Nation Turnpike, from Henryetta to Hugo.

Asked about the two projects, OTA Program Manager Barry Burks said they were contracted out to private companies.

FBS Engineers, which has a Tulsa office, is listed as the design engineer for the pavement project, according to the OTA’s report.

Burks identified Ken Shoemaker as the resident engineer for the project and Green as the inspector, or on-site representative for FBS Engineers.

“It’s being inspected under a contract with a company called Tetra Tech,” Burks said of the Indian Nation Turnpike construction project.

According to the company’s Web site, Tetra Tech, Inc. provides “specialized management consulting and technical services in the areas of resource management, infrastructure, and communications.”

“FBS is a subcontractor with Tetra Tech on 11 OTA projects,” Burks said.

Asked what the duties of the inspector or on-site representative for OTA projects entail, Burks said “They’re out there through the day, observing the construction process.”

Green is also listed in OTA records as the on-site representative for a sign replacement project on the Indian Nation Turnpike, according to Burks.

Burks said the OTA will pay Tetra Tech more than $2.4 million for the 11 turnpike projects.

Asked recently if he had been working on projects along the Indian Nation Turnpike, Green declined to comment.

When told that the News-Capital had independently confirmed that he’s been working on turnpike projects through a private company, Green said Friday, “I’m just trying to be a private citizen.”

“I’m not paid with public tax dollars,” he said.

“There’s other things I do for them” in addition to the turnpike work, Green said of the work he does with FBS Engineers.

Green said he didn’t want to elaborate on his other duties with the company.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.