The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013-2014 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding. TAP is a federal funding source in the MAP-21 legislation dedicated for bicycle and pedestrian projects. ACOG was allocated approximately $2.8 million for the 2013-2014 funding cycle.
Click here for an interactive map of TAP-funded projects
Projects were selected based on their potential to meet the region’s needs as identified by ACOG’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). These funding goals were: improve safety; address barriers in the network; and improve connectivity both among communities and within existing networks. These goals were identified as means to increase the number of Central Oklahomans of all ages and backgrounds using active modes like riding bicycles or walking.
A detailed financial breakdown may be found here.
The following projects will receive 2013-2014 funding from the MPO’s Transportation Alternatives Program once all federal requirements have been satisfied:
City of Oklahoma City: W. Overholser Bike Route and Sidewalk (Project Cost: $176,655)
This project will provide three miles of bicycle routes and 0.4 miles of improved sidewalks along the south side of NW 36th Street from the Yukon City limits to Lake Overholser. This will safely connect residents of Yukon and the western portions of the ACOG area to amenities at Lake Overholser, the Oklahoma City Trail System and ultimately to Lake Hefner, downtown Oklahoma City and beyond via multi-use trail for recreational and commute purposes alike.
City of Yukon: Yukon Master Trails Plan Phase 1 ($575,733.83)
This is the inaugural project of Yukon’s new Trails Master Plan. It uses a variety of infrastructure types to link bicycle riders and pedestrians from the City of Yukon’s planned network along Route 66 with Oklahoma City’s network to Lake Overholser, in conjunction with the above listed W. Overholser project. This connects businesses along Route 66 with municipal amenities and services and the recreational and transportation opportunities of OKC’s trail network.
Taken together, Oklahoma City’s West Overholser Bike Route and Sidewalk Project and Yukon’s Phase 1 of their Master Trails Plan offer a perfect example of two communities collaborating to create a network linkage to serve the region.
City of Midwest City: SE 29th Street Trail, Sooner to Air Depot ($575,000)
This project proposes a 10 foot wide concrete multi-use trail on the south side of SE 29th Street from Sooner Road to Air Depot Boulevard. This connects Oklahoma City, Midwest City and Del City (including Del City’s trail on Sooner Road), the commercial businesses on the north side of SE 29th (via improved pedestrian crossings) and Tinker Air Force Base. It also addresses the barrier of I-40 by improving the underpass.
City of Oklahoma City: Envision 240 Pedestrian Improvements ($500,078)
These improvements focus on the connections under I-240 at May, Pennsylvania and Western Avenues. These three intersections are Texas turnarounds which are notoriously difficult for pedestrians. This project addresses the I-240 barrier by bringing the intersections up to ADA standards, and building sidewalk segments to connect to new sidewalk networks north and south of the interstate, enhancing access to bus stops, a commercial corridor and area employment.
City of Midwest City: W. Palmer Loop Trail ($665,000)
This proposes an off-road, multiuse trail starting at the existing Soldier Creek network and progressing around the Tinker Air Force Accident Potential Zone along Palmer Drive to SE 29th Street, extending the reach of Midwest City’s existing trail network to the south.
City of Midwest City: Rail with Trail ($665,000)
This project proposes a 10 foot wide concrete trail along an abandoned diagonal rail right-of-way between SE 15th Street and Maple Drive. It connects between future phases to the north and proposed trails to the southeast and offers safe access from neighborhoods to several schools, shopping and employment centers. Future phases will connect to Del City and ultimately to Oklahoma City.
City of Edmond: Creek Bend Trail—Phase 1 Design ($140,000)
Phase 1 of this project will complete the design and engineering work on a proposed 12 foot wide multi-purpose trail from Coltrane Road to the West Frontage Road of Interstate Highway 35. When complete, this trail segment will offer residents safe passage to the commercial area on the I-35 frontage road and access to the proposed trails at Arcadia Lake. Eventually Edmond’s proposed trail network will also connect to Mitch Park, Hafer Park and the University of Central Oklahoma.
Additional OCARTS Area Projects:
Transportation Enhancements (TE) was an earlier federal program to fund bicycle and pedestrian projects; MAP-21 replaced TE with TAP. ODOT still has TE funding remaining and will use it to fund these three projects in our region:
City of Norman: Legacy Trail Extension Multimodal Path ($772,250)
The project addresses three gaps on the 10 foot wide concrete multimodal Legacy Trail and adds amenities for pedestrians and bicycle riders. It connects the Rock Creek Road crossing of I-35 and the University of Oklahoma on the east with residential development, the Norman Regional Healthplex, two schools and commercial development. Ultimately it will connect to Moore city limits and South Oklahoma City as well.
City of Norman: Downtown Main Street Improvement Project ($1,258,163)
This project reconstructs sidewalks and wheelchair ramps along both sides of Main Street in Downtown Norman, adds streetscape and street furniture, and is the second and final phase of a project begun in 2004. Pedestrians will experience improved access to Norman civic services, Amtrak and downtown shopping and entertainment and connection to the Legacy Trail System, University of Oklahoma and the northwestern part of the city.
Midwest City: Mid-America Trail ($350,000)
This 10’ wide concrete multi-use trail will travel along Soldier Creek from the intersection of NE 10th Street and Midwest Boulevard to the Mid-America Park, safely connecting neighborhoods to the park and adding a link to Midwest City’s proposed trail network.
Thanks to the Transportation Enhancements windfall, ACOG was able to fund all submitted, complete applications, with approximately $312,000 remaining. This money is available through a newly-opened, second funding cycle, with applications due August 1. For more information including the grant manual, eligibility requirements and online application, please see the ACOG website.