Mayor Agrees To 5 Year Street Deal

The approval means the plan will now be on the November ballot.

Tuesday, September 2nd 2008, 5:29 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa's mayor greenlights a proposed street repair plan. Mayor Kathy Taylor approved the five-year, $451 million plan on Tuesday. The News On 6's Chris Wright reports that means it will appear on the ballot this November.

It is the plan the mayor wants, and now voters will have the opportunity to decide whether or not they agree with her this fall.

The road to street repair in Tulsa is now a little less rocky. The Tulsa City Council had originally approved a $2 billion tax spread over 12 years. But, after pressure from other city leaders, as well as the police and fire departments, the councilors held a re-vote last week.

At that time, they opted for the five-year plan. The mayor offered her approval Tuesday, and drivers are excited to finally be able to vote on something.

"I bump around all over the streets, bump and bounce," said one Tulsa driver.

"I'm glad. I'm pleased that we're finally possibly getting something done," said another Tulsa driver.

Mayor Taylor is urging those drivers to vote yes come November. She says it's important to get started before the price of oil, and in turn asphalt, goes up again.

"We'll do a good job on this and I'm sure we'll get to step two. But, first it's step one, get the streets fixed and convince the citizens that we're doing a good job on it," said Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor.

The mayor stresses that the big difference between the 12-year plan and the one approved, is that the five-year focuses on street repair, and street repair only.

"It's essentially the same money as the 12 year plan. It's the same streets. It's just streets only, nothing else," said Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor.

Improved streets are what many Tulsans have wanted for a long time, and now they will have a chance to decide if this plan is the best way to accomplish that.

The mayor says that if this plan is approved by voters in November, it will be the most money Tulsa has ever spent on its streets.

08/28/2008 Council Changes Course, Approves Five-Year Plan