The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Let's get a big turn out!

Presentations On High-Speed Rail Planned In OKC And Tulsa
September 9, 2009 -- As part of an initial environmental process, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) invites the public to a presentation about preliminary plans for high-speed rail and some of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Transportation officials, joined by community planning organizations and city officials will present details of improvements planned between Tulsa, Oklahoma City and the Texas state line at the following meetings:

Oklahoma City
Monday, September 14
6 p.m.
Metro Technology Centers
BCC/Auditorium                                       
1900 Springlake Drive   

Tulsa
Tuesday, September 15
6 p.m.
Central Library
400 Civic Center

The competitive grant program which allows for these improvements is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and advances the Obama administration's vision for high speed intercity passenger rail throughout the nation.

In all, $8 billion in ARRA funds are available to states through this program, which is divided among the following funding tracks: Track One - Shovel-ready Projects; Track Two - Service Development Programs; Track Three - Service Planning Activities; and Track Four - Appropriations-Funded Projects.

ODOT's preliminary application filed on July 10, seeks approximately $2 billion in Track Two for service development programs. The Federal Railroad Administration anticipates announcing the final awards by the end of the year.

Following the public meeting, comments on Oklahoma's high speed rail plan will be accepted until September 25 by mail to ODOT Rail Division, 200 N.E. 21st St., Rm. 3-D6, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 or by e-mail to jbridgwater@odot.org. Citizen comments will be included in the final application packet.     

Copies of ODOT's completed preliminary application and associated maps are available on the ODOT Web site http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/meetings/other.php.

What exactly is an "initial environmental process"?

ODOT is seeking $2B of the $8B? I guess start high and come down.

Down to about 2 mill lol. If that.

Can't win if you don't play.  :o

I dunno, I think we have a good argument on this one. We can't get to Kansas(which is like a central hub to the rest of the US through rail) without going through like 8 states.

I'm definitely going to the Tues, 9/15 high-speed rail meeting (Central Library, 6:00 PM). Anybody else going?

We have a neighborhood meeting at 7:00, so I'll be unlikely to show up, even though I am strongly interested. Would anyone be willing to take notes/pictures and post on here afterwards?

I would like to but have a regularly scheduled previous commitment.

The ODOT High Speed Rail meeting was recorded by a thoughtful individual and is available here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=00CC2DBA51C6FFBB (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=00CC2DBA51C6FFBB)

Awesome! Thanks!

The public meeting in Tulsa is on YouTube.  The Q&A is most interesting, particularly Part 3, starting at about 6:15... ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubnZvRIGn5U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kV1KvU3AyM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHRyyxogHVA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMzQVYbO73w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7DkUzgXU3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwjCfH2ncvI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87TW9H2hzLo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3flKDFKlA3w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCuhvXAyl-c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T66t5QfBNKI

See, now if you hadn't left this would all be going much smoother...  :P

If you support high speed rail between Tulsa and OKC, be sure to express your support in writing.

Comments on Oklahoma's high speed rail plan will be accepted until September 25

Mail to:
ODOT Rail Division, 200 N.E. 21st St., Rm. 3-D6, Oklahoma City, OK 73105

or e-mail to:
jbridgwater@odot.org.

Citizen comments will be included in the final application packet.

If you decide to email your comments or support for high speed rail, be sure to cc: your elected officials to let them know that this matters to Tulsa.