HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 02_HWY 20 Improvements_US 20_US 169_ 209th E Ave
OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA
RESOLUTION # 01-02
A RESOLUTION APOPTING A POSITION REGARDING THE IMPROVEMENT OF
OKLAHOMA STATE HIGHWAY 20 BETWEEN US 169 TO 209T" EAST AVENUE
RELATING TO NEEDED SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
Whereas, that the Owasso Economic Development Authority respectfully requests that the
Oklahoma Department of Transportation review and consider the following resolution
recommendations as it relates to improving State Highway 20 from US 169 to 209`h East Avenue;
and,
Whereas, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved State Highway 20 improvements
from US 169 east 4.4 miles to 209"' in January of 1988; and,
Whereas, after approval of the preferred alignment by the Federal Highway Administration, in
May of 2000, ODOT did established priorities for construction. The corridor from US 169 to
209"' East Avenue was listed as the most critical corridor due to safety concerns, development
issues and costs. The tentative schedule for this corridor is to be let for construction in April of
2005 and right-of--way acquisition/utility relocation in Spring of 2004. It is our understanding that
the appropriation for the improvement of State Highway 20 may be delayed unti12005; and,
Whereas, over the last 10 years, the City of Owasso has been the fastest growing community in
Oklahoma for those cities with greater than 10,000 population. Owasso has continued to develop
to the northeast toward and along State Highway 20. As additional regional shopping facilities
develop in the City of Owasso, more and more residents of Claremore and Rogers County will
use this highway to access shopping opportunities. The current 11-foot lanes with no shoulders
cannot adequately support existing or projected traffic volume without raising concern for safety.
According to the "State Highway 20 Corridor Tabulation of Highway Collisions, "this corridor
from U.S. 169 east 4.4 miles to 209`" has the highest total accidents, fatalities and injuries per
mile in the State of Oklahoma. These statistics show that from 1997 to 1999 there were 58
accidents resulting in 7 fatalities and 42 injuries. Due to increased commercial and residential
development in this section, turning movements and traffic are increasing dramatically; and,
Whereas, The Owasso Economic development Authority recognizes that, according to ODOT,
this section of State Highway 20 is planned to be a 4-lane Improvement Corridor. The concerns
of many business and residential owners affected by this corridor of Highway 20 prompts us to
request ODOT to reprioritize the improvement schedule without delaying the completion of the
entire planned 4-lane project. Therefore, the Owasso Economic Development Authority makes
the following recommendations:
Safety and Traffic:
We support the acceleration of the development schedule for this project for safety
purposes. The longer the necessary improvements are delayed the longer people are
going to be exposed to accident hazards.
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• Final design plans for State Highway 20 be completed and adopted.
ODOT needs to show a commitment to this corridor. The five-year Environmental
Impact Study for the alignment of Highway 20 is complete. Final design plans are
needed in order to provide direction to landowners and developers for guidance regarding
development of individual properties.
Corridor protection:
ODOT's 2000-2025 "Statewide Intermodal Transportation Plan, Modal and Intermodal
Policies "calls to protect the future right-of--way corridors in areas of rapid development.
According to the 2000 Census, over the last 10 years, Owasso is the fastest growing city
in Oklahoma for cities of 10,000 population or more. This is a rapid annual growth rate
of 6.7%.
While these requests will be monetary considerations for ODOT, these issues are top safety
concern and priority for the vibrant growth and long-term economic development of Northern
Tulsa and Western Rogers Counties.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Owasso Economic Development Authority of the
City of Owasso, Oklahoma, that the position of the Authority is that the construction schedule
for State Highway 20 between US 169 and 209`" E. Avenue. be accelerated in order to remove the
continued risk to our citizens who travel this roadway. The OEDA also supports the production
of the final design of this facility to facilitate development decision making. Finally, the
protection the corridor by inclusion in the Statewide Intermodal Transportation Plan is supported.
Passed and Approved this the fourteenth day November, 2001, by the Owasso Economic
Development Authority of the City of Owasso, Oklahoma.
ominic Sokolosky, C rman
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