Learn more about how OKC is improving its streets and infrastructure
The City of Oklahoma City maintains more than 3,500 miles of roadways within the city limits. Recently the editorial staff of CityScape sat down with Shannon Cox with the City’s Public Works Department to learn more about how the City invests in its infrastructure and improves the quality of its roads each year.
CityScape: In 2017, residents of Oklahoma City approved $1.2 billion in community investments. What did that mean for the streets of Oklahoma City? Cox: The 2017 bond program passed for $967 million, with $491 million allocated to street improvements. Alongside the bond program, a 27-month temporary penny sales tax was approved that will generate $240 million of revenue for streets, sidewalks and trails. It’s all part of our Better Streets, Safer City program. How is that money being invested in Oklahoma City’s infrastructure? Improvements include street resurfacing, streetscapes, sidewalks, trails and bicycle infrastructure. Find interactive maps and more at okc.gov/BetterSafer. What progress is being made? Each year, Public Works completes about $100 million in bond projects, and over the next three years we will work to complete the $240 million in additional sales tax projects as well. What process is in place to insure community input and oversight on these projects? Both the bond and sales tax programs (Better Streets, Safer City) have resident advisory boards which were established to oversee the programs. The bond projects are reviewed by the Bond Advisory Committee, which includes residents representing areas across the City. The sales tax projects are overseen by the Community and Neighborhood Enhancement Advisory Board, which also includes residents from each of the City’s Council Wards and at-large members. The committee and board meet regularly to review projects including budget, scope and progress, and also make recommendations on the expenditure of funds for both programs for City Council consideration and approval.
4 CITYSCAPE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS MOVING OKC FORWARD
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