January 8, 2013 City Council Meeting

TL;DR

The city council approved Alternative A for the Western, Classen, and Reno section of the new Oklahoma City Boulevard, which will replace the I-40 Corridor. This decision, reached after extensive public input and consultant review, aims to balance traffic flow, pedestrian access, and future development opportunities by minimizing elevated structures and integrating the boulevard into the urban fabric.

Key Decisions & Votes

I-40 Boulevard Design Alternative for Western, Classen, and Reno Section

01:19:50

The council voted 7-2 to approve Alternative A for the Western, Classen, and Reno section of the Oklahoma City Boulevard. This alternative involves a grade separation of the new Boulevard over Western Avenue, realignment of Classen, and aims to provide superior development opportunities, improved pedestrian walkability, and efficient traffic flow.

Approved

Public Comments

4 citizens spoke

Four citizens spoke regarding the Boulevard project. Comments were divided, with some supporting Alternative A for its balance of business access and pedestrian friendliness, while others urged the council to table the motion for further study of a 'grid concept' and expressed concerns about the potential for re-division of downtown, the adequacy of the study process, and the long-term economic impacts.

Support for Alternative A Advocacy for a 'grid concept' and elimination of the curvilinear section Concerns about urban division and pedestrian access Need for long-term vision and avoiding past planning mistakes Adequacy of traffic studies and economic impact analysis Importance of public input and process transparency

Coming Up

Deadlines

Environmental review for the Boulevard is expected to take 6-8 months, aiming for completion by September.
Sections 1 and 5 (east and west ends) could be out to bid by December 2013 and under construction shortly after 2014, with completion toward the end of 2014.
Section 2 (bridge underneath the railroad) could also be done in the same general timeframe, though construction may take longer.
Sections 3 and 4 (main downtown area and Western/Classen/Reno) are expected to be completed later, potentially late 2015 or early 2016.

Watch For

Future consideration of a roundabout option at Exchange and Third, in the Farmers Market area.
Realignment of Classen and Western to help mitigate congestion on Sheridan.
ODOT to proceed with designs for the Boulevard based on the approved alternative.
A formal request to ODOT to provide for a right turn lane on Western Avenue onto the new I-40.

Agenda Summary

8B - Study related to the Boulevard replacing the I-40 Corridor in downtown Oklahoma City (Western, Classen, and Reno section)

Presentation and discussion of design alternatives for the Western, Classen, and Reno section of the new Oklahoma City Boulevard. The study by Stantech evaluated 38 initial options, narrowing them to four, with a recommendation for Alternative A, which features a grade separation of the Boulevard over Western Avenue.