The City of Norman has landed a transformative $25 million from the US Department of Transportation for a major overhaul of the 36th Avenue NW corridor, an announcement that promises to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety significantly. The collaboration with the City of Moore signals a joint effort to literally pave the way for a better commuting future.
According to a City of Norman post, the funds are earmarked for a three-mile stretch of 36th Avenue Northwest and Telephone Road, slated to go from a two-lane road up to four lanes. The plan also includes the addition of a 10-foot mixed-use trail and a separate 5-foot sidewalk, hoping to safely accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians. Moreover, the project will fully upgrade drainage systems and clear-zone hazards to boost overall safety.
Scott Sturtz, Director of Public Works, told the City of Norman website, “The awarding of federal funding to offset construction costs will now bring work to fruition. Since 2015, there have been more than 100 crashes occur on this corridor. Improvements will greatly enhance safety for both motorists and pedestrians.” This reconstruction project targets a notorious high-injury network segment and aligns with the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments' Regional Safety Action Plan to drop operating speeds to safer levels.
The extensive project carries a price tag of $39,459,639, with federal aid substantially mitigating the financial load for local coffers. Safety features, such as signalized intersections with reflectorized backplates and ADA-compliant ramps, not only aim to diminish crash rates but also to enhance emergency response times for nearby medical facilities and a fire station. The initiative is carefully designed to follow the Safe System Approach and draws on the Federal Highway Administration's Proven Safety Countermeasures for an extensively researched path forward.
Preparations for the project are vigorously moving ahead, with the Department of Public Works coordinating agreements and timelines with the FHWA. Locals eagerly awaiting the start and progress updates can look to Normanok.gov for the latest developments as they roll out.
