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.
