Oklahoma City has roped in a hefty $25 million from Uncle Sam to give its streets a safer facelift. The funds, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, are set to bankroll better roads and sweeping safety upgrades covering everything from sidewalks to traffic signals, according to an official statement from the City of Oklahoma City.
Transportation Program Planner Justin Henry couldn't contain his enthusiasm, saying, "Winning this $25 million Safe Streets and Roads for All implementation grant is a transformative moment for Oklahoma City," it allows the City of Oklahoma City to not just dream but do, aiming for no road deaths in their Vision Zero crusade, by making streets equitable for folks whether they're on foot, wheels, or rideshares. The change will hit streets hard in the form of new turn lanes, roundabouts, and bus pads, also ratcheting up visibility at crosswalks and retrofitting traffic signals to stand out in the dark, though construction kickoff dates are still up in the air pending some bureaucratic red tape.
To quell speed demons, OKC's Alternative Speed Abatement Program (ASAP) is getting a turbo boost from the grant money – residents will have a say on traffic calming in their hoods with things like speed cushions and those flashing speed reminder signs. This grant's also laying the groundwork for an ADA Transition Plan, which, in layman's terms, means the City of Oklahoma City's gonna get serious about making sure its streets and signals are accessible for everyone, including those with disabilities; they'll size up everything from sidewalks to public facilities and train city staff to keep it all up to code.
Oklahoma City has a clear plan to improve road safety through its Vision Zero Action Plan, supported by a $25 million investment. The goal is to make dangerous roads safer for everyone. The city will use the funding for traffic calming projects, public-private partnerships, and improvements to accessibility. Plans also include forming an ADA committee and creating a dashboard to track progress, helping make the city more inclusive over time.
