OKLAHOMA CITY, March 13, 2015 — A report reflecting federally funded transportation projects in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area during federal fiscal year 2014 (Oct. 1, 2013 – Sept. 30, 2014) was recently completed by ACOG. Highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects were fun ded in the region using federal funds made available to the state and metropolitan area from current and previous federal surface transportation laws.
A suballocation of funds, known as Surface Transportation Program Urbanized Area (STP UZA) funds, helped fund a number of street and intersection improvements, including adjacent sidewalks and bike paths, which have been or will soon be constructed in communities within the ACOG region.
In addition, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation provided federal Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to the region for projects to enhance air quality and assist Central Oklahoma maintain its air quality attainment status with the Environmental Protection Agency. ACOG administers three CMAQ programs: air quality public awareness grants, public fleet conversions to alternative fuels, and a regional rideshare program. Some CMAQ funds were also provided to the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) for improvements to the EMBARK bus system.
Central Oklahoma obligated $24 million in suballocated STP-UZA funds during FFY 2014. Major improvements that will be implemented using these funds include the widening of Meridian Avenue between SW 29th and the Canadian River in Oklahoma City and numerous resurfacing projects in Del City, Midwest City, McClain County, Oklahoma City and Tuttle. In addition, several safety projects including pavement markings, new/upgraded traffic signals, signal interconnections, intersection modifications and school zone safety improvements were funded throughout the region.
An additional $27.6 million was spent on the state highway system (interstates, federal highways and state highways) within Central Oklahoma using federal, state and county funds provided through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. These improvements included the widening of SH-9 between 24th Ave SE and 36th Ave SE in Norman and several resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation and cable barrier projects.
Finally, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds assisted the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) and Cleveland Area Rapid Transit (CART) with the purchase of various transit capital items, property and bus maintenance, general operations and special transit services for elderly and disabled citizens. COTPA provided a portion of its federal funds to the City of Edmond to assist with operation of Edmond’s Citylink bus service.