ODOT EIGHT-YEAR PLAN The Chamber supports providing adequate annual dedicated funding necessary to preserve and implement the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight- year construction work plan. Furthermore, the Chamber will strongly oppose any effort to divert dedicated transportation funding to other areas of government. HEARTLAND FLYER The Chamber supports taking active steps to extend the Heartland Flyer Amtrak service to Newton, Kan., which would connect Oklahoma City to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and other locations on the national Amtrak system. Furthermore, the Chamber supports the designation of the entire Heartland Flyer line (Fort Worth – Oklahoma City – Newton – National Network) as a national Amtrak route within the Federal Rail Administration’s specific “Corridor Identification Program.” This designation would serve to assist with the federal/state burden/cost-sharing and would strategically address a significant gap in the national Amtrak system. OKLAHOMA RIVER BRIDGES The Chamber supports construction of clear span bridges on Interstate 35 across the Oklahoma River. Replacing existing river bridges with iconic bridges would showcase Oklahoma City at the confluence of two major U.S. interstate highways (Interstates 35/40) and facilitate increased sporting events and tourism in the Boathouse District.
• I-35/I-40 Dallas Junction and I-35 (including Oklahoma River Bridges) • Future development of I-44 corridor from I-40 to SH-62, including SH 152/Airport Road, (southwest OKC to Newcastle) to better provide for future mobility needs due to ongoing commercial expansion.
Photo Credit: Oklahoma Department of Transportation
STATE TURNPIKE PLAN The Chamber supports the 15-year, $5 billion ACCESS Oklahoma Plan to develop a highly effective and viable state turnpike system, including construction of new access points at appropriate locations across Oklahoma to enhance safety, access and promote economic development. As part of this long-range plan, the Chamber specifically supports construction of the following new alignment high-speed expressway facilities in the Oklahoma City region and associated improvements: • John Kilpatrick Turnpike widening from I-40 to I-35, to increase access and improve safety • Outer Loop: East West Connector, expanding mobility of south Oklahoma City • Outer Loop: Tri-City Connector, to increase access and offer alternative routes from I-40 to I-44 and, ultimately, I-35 • South Extension: End connector south to I-35 south of Norman.
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