"Complete Our Streets" Report Released

Mayor Kathy Taylor says Tulsa city streets are on life support. The long-awaited report on the city's streets was released on Tuesday. News On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports part of the plans include

Tuesday, December 4th 2007, 7:53 am

By: News On 6


Mayor Kathy Taylor says Tulsa city streets are on life support. The long-awaited report on the city's streets was released on Tuesday. News On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports part of the plans include a multi-million dollar bond. The stretch of road at Riverside Dr. and Denver Ave. is listed as one of the worst streets in Tulsa. To repair it and the other locations across town, a task force told the city it needs more than a billion dollars over the next 10 years.

The intersection at 31st and Sheridan is one of the worst places to drive according to business owner Rahe Orr, Jr. He jokes that gravel roads in the country are better than Tulsa city streets.

“It's like your dodging potholes just to get from the highway to the shop every single day,” said Orr, Jr.

The city keeps tracks of some of the worst drives in town. Topping the list is 36th Street North from Lewis to Sheridan and Memorial from Admiral to 21st Street.

“I think that we all agree the streets are not only in the emergency room but some of them are on life supports,” said Mayor Kathy Taylor.

On Tuesday, the Complete Our Streets Task Force laid out its plan to smooth out rides across the city.

The recommendations include city leaders getting behind a state bill redirecting tag fees that could mean $50 million a year for the city. The task force also urged the city to re-allocate a 3rd penny sales tax to fully support the city's infrastructure.

The two major recommendations, according to task force leaders, mean voters passing a permanent one-half cent sales tax and approving a $650 million bond by next April.

City leaders say those who opposed the River Development tax in favor of other city improvements shouldn't have any problems with the proposal.

“And if they really do believe that we need as a community to fix our streets, to complete the projects, complete the streets then they need to support this and support it very, very vocally,” said Task Force Chairman Dewey Bartlett, Jr.

You can put Rahe Orr on board; he says whatever it takes to improve his drive.

“I'm fine with that as long as they fix our roads,” said Orr.

Another recommendation by the task force was to create a Tulsa Transportation Authority that would oversee the city's infrastructure. These proposals now go before the city council to decide if a bond or sales tax increase will go on the ballot.

Complete Our Streets report.

Watch the video: City Streets Report Finally Released

Related stories:

9/13 Street Improvement Announcement

10/29 Task Force Hears From Residents On Streets
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