Midland Valley Trail

[carltonplace]

Anyone seen the plans? The trail has been removed between 26th and Riverside for replacement. I'm wondering if this will include new lights, drainage etc.

[Sutton]

Just says closed until December 2012

http://www.incog.org/transportation/trailguide/MidlandValley/trailguide_midlandvalley_trail%20with%20closure.pdf

[Conan71]

It needs it, the asphalt was in horrid condition.

[Urban Enthusiast]

From City of Tulsa website

Midland Valley Trail Improvements Under Way
Construction is under way on $1.07 million in improvements to the Midland Valley Trail between 21st Street and the pedestrian bridge in the 2800 block of Riverside Drive.

The trail is being widened and paved with concrete instead of asphalt. New lighting is being installed and a new pedestrian crossing signal will be installed where the trail crosses 21st Street just east of Boston Avenue.

Other amenities include a new rest area with benches, a drinking fountain, trash receptacles and pet-waste receptacles, new signs and planting of new trees.

Construction began March 9 and is expected to be complete in September 2012.  Construction is being done by Tri-Star Construction LLC which was the low bidder at $1,071,663, slightly less than the engineer's estimate of $1,113,882.   Engineering design services for the project were $130,000.

Fifty percent of the funding for the project is from a transportation grant from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Twenty-five percent is from the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which has also funding extensive improvements to RiverParks Trails. The remaining 25 percent is from the City of Tulsa.

[TheTed]

From the River Parks site. I think they're doing the section from 26th-Riverside now:

We've received many emails and calls about the Midland Valley Trail Renovation. First off, we would like to make clear that the Midland Valley Trail is NOT a part of River Parks. That trail is cared for by Tulsa Parks, and they are coordinating the current renovation. We're happy to see this renovation take place. Here is a list of things that we've learned from discussions with the Tulsa Parks department:

   * The project is being done in two phases, 21st-26th, and 26th-Riverside. Each phase should take around 90 days. Only half of the trail will be blocked off at a time.
   * The closed-off area on the parking lot at 31st and Riverside will be decreased in size very shortly.
   * The completion date for the project is slated for September.
   * The trail will use the same lighting features as the River Parks trails.

http://www.riverparks.org/midland-valley-trail-renovation/

[carltonplace]

Thanks all!

[AquaMan]

I am happy to see the path updated and I like the renovations chosen. I'm even happier that RPA still has nothing to do with that stretch since I frequent it often. Not looking forward to the increased usage by speed racing bikes and the "hoi polloi". We kind of liked having that little stretch all to ourselves over here.

[carltonplace]

I am happy to see the path updated and I like the renovations chosen. I'm even happier that RPA still has nothing to do with that stretch since I frequent it often. Not looking forward to the increased usage by speed racing bikes and the "hoi polloi". We kind of liked having that little stretch all to ourselves over here.

I guess we "hoi-polloi" will be jogging through your neighborhood streets until they are done AquaMan.

Conan is right, that asphalt was terrible, you could feel it through your shoes.

[dioscorides]

I am happy to see the path updated and I like the renovations chosen. I'm even happier that RPA still has nothing to do with that stretch since I frequent it often. Not looking forward to the increased usage by speed racing bikes and the "hoi polloi". We kind of liked having that little stretch all to ourselves over here.

hopefully, the widening will create bike lanes like the trail along the river has.  i already feel like i have watch my back so i don't get run over when i am running or riding my 'cruiser' through there.  

[dioscorides]

I guess we "hoi-polloi" will be jogging through your neighborhood streets until they are done AquaMan.

Conan is right, that asphalt was terrible, you could feel it through your shoes.

i had to amend my running route to go down 26th toward riverside.  going back up that hill was not fun.  i didn't try to go across riverside since it turned out to be very close to how far i wanted to go.  trying to cross riverside in the morning is not something i really want to do on a regular basis.  i may end up going toward downtown and then back for longer runs.

[jacobi]

Bonus points for anyone who knows what hoi polloi means.  Without looking online, of course.

[Townsend]

Bonus points for anyone who knows what hoi polloi means.  Without looking online, of course.

Montgomery Burns used it many times.

[RecycleMichael]

There was a band named hoi polloi that played Tulsa in the 1980s

[jacobi]

Its greek for "the many".  Its a derogatory expression of the Oligos ("the few", hence oligarch) towards the poor masses.

[AquaMan]

Tulsa hoi poloi are much better than OKC's. In fact they're dang near the best in the state!