ACOG Releases Transportation Projects Funding Report
A report reflecting federally funded projects in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area during federal fiscal year 2012 (Oct. 1, 2011 – Sept. 30, 2012) was recently completed by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG). Highway and transit projects were funded and implemented in the region using federal funds made available to the state and metropolitan area from the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
A sub-allocation of funds, known as Surface Transportation Program Urbanized Area (STP‑UZA) funds, helped provide for 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.
Along with the STP-UZA funds, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation provided federal Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to the region for projects to enhance air quality in Central Oklahoma and assist the region maintain its air quality attainment status with the Environmental Protection Agency. ACOG administers three CMAQ programs: air quality public education, public fleet conversions to alternative fuels, and a regional rideshare program.
Central Oklahoma obligated $25.5 million in sub-allocated SAFETEA-LU funds during FFY 2012. Major street improvements that will be implemented using these funds include widening projects in Edmond on Kelly between Covell and Coffee Creek Roads, in Moore and Oklahoma City on Eastern Avenue between NE 27th and I-240, and in Oklahoma City on Western between SW 134th and SW 164th Streets and NW 150th between Portland and May Avenues. In addition, resurfacing projects were funded in FFY 2012 for several locations in Norman and Oklahoma City, and bridge reconstruction projects were funded for projects in Logan County and Midwest City. Numerous safety projects including new traffic signals, signal interconnections, roadway lighting, pavement markings, school zone safety improvements and sidewalks were funded throughout the region, and a new bicycle path will be constructed along Grand Boulevard in Nichols Hills.
In addition to these developments, other transportation projects in the region were supported with other federal and state funds provided to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. An additional $96 million in federal and state funds were obligated in the past fiscal year for numerous projects within Central Oklahoma. Some of these projects include final phases of the I‑40 Crosstown relocation project, an interchange improvement at I-35 and Main Street in Norman, and rehabilitation of the I-35 bridge over the S. Canadian River.
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.
The full report is available on the ACOG web site or you can download a PDF copy via direct link here.
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