A hearing is set for Tuesday in Tulsa on Oklahoma's proposal for high-speed rail.
By GAVIN OFF World Data Editor
Published: 9/13/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 9/13/2009 3:49 AM
Oklahoma's proposed plan for high-speed rail would link Tulsa to Oklahoma City via a new line north of the Turner Turnpike and could one day link the state with San Antonio and Chicago, according to Oklahoma's pre-application for federal high-speed rail funds.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation's final application for high-speed rail stimulus money is due Oct. 2.
But before next month's deadline, the department is seeking resident input and will hold two public meetings in which state officials will present the plan and answer questions.
The first meeting will take place Monday in Oklahoma City. The second is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Tulsa's Central Library, 400 Civic Center.
"It really helps us in terms of showing that as part of the application process, the public was involved, the public was behind us," said Kenna Mitchell, ODOT spokeswoman.
Mitchell said officials with ODOT's rail division and environmental evaluation division will join an environmental consultant to help lead Tuesday's meeting.
According to Oklahoma's pre-application, the proposed plan would improve the current Heartland Flyer line between Oklahoma City and Texas and develop the new 150 mph link to Tulsa.
"This is our vision for high-speed rail," Mitchell said. "This is what we could do if we were to receive part of this funding."
In all, the federal government has made $8 billion in high-speed rail funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The estimated cost of Oklahoma's project is $2 billion and includes the cost of buying rail cars even though a third party, such as Amtrak, would likely operate the trains.
Mitchell said ODOT's case is unique in that it could provide a link between the country's South Central rail corridor and the Chicago Hub Network via St. Louis.
"We could be a very viable link between regions," Mitchell said.
Residents have until Sept. 25 to submit comments on the plan. The department will include the comments with the plan's final application.
Those interested in commenting on the project should e-mail Johnson Bridgwater with ODOT's Rail Program Division at jbridgwater@odot.org.
Or people can send letters to: ODOT Rail Division; 200 N.E. 21st St., Room 3-D6; Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation's final application for high-speed rail stimulus money is due Oct. 2.
But before next month's deadline, the department is seeking resident input and will hold two public meetings in which state officials will present the plan and answer questions.
The first meeting will take place Monday in Oklahoma City. The second is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Tulsa's Central Library, 400 Civic Center.
"It really helps us in terms of showing that as part of the application process, the public was involved, the public was behind us," said Kenna Mitchell, ODOT spokeswoman.
Mitchell said officials with ODOT's rail division and environmental evaluation division will join an environmental consultant to help lead Tuesday's meeting.
According to Oklahoma's pre-application, the proposed plan would improve the current Heartland Flyer line between Oklahoma City and Texas and develop the new 150 mph link to Tulsa.
"This is our vision for high-speed rail," Mitchell said. "This is what we could do if we were to receive part of this funding."
In all, the federal government has made $8 billion in high-speed rail funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The
Mitchell said ODOT's case is unique in that it could provide a link between the country's South Central rail corridor and the Chicago Hub Network via St. Louis.
"We could be a very viable link between regions," Mitchell said.
Residents have until Sept. 25 to submit comments on the plan. The department will include the comments with the plan's final application.
Those interested in commenting on the project should e-mail Johnson Bridgwater with ODOT's Rail Program Division at jbridgwater@odot.org.
Or people can send letters to: ODOT Rail Division; 200 N.E. 21st St., Room 3-D6; Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
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