Public Meeting On Fixing Tulsa Streets

It seems like every street in Tulsa is a work zone, but in fact the city is losing the battle of fixing the streets. There are competing plans with a similar goal of getting the streets fixed. Both will be discussed on Monday night at a public meeting. News On 6's Emory Bryan reports one solution is a $2 billion repair plan, but City Councilor Bill Christiansen has what he thinks is a simpler and better solution.

City Councilor Bill Christiansen says he, as much as anyone, wants Tulsa's streets fixed. But, he believes there's a better way to get there than a single vote to fix everything.

"We need generally a smaller package for a shorter period of time that's easy to explain and only pays for streets," said Bill Christiansen, Tulsa City Council.

By every measure, Tulsa's streets are crumbling. The arterial streets are breaking down because they're not getting proper maintenance. But, the residential streets are suffering too.

While the city is making progress with work zones all over town, on average the streets are getting worse. The council and the mayor both want a plan to at least start fixing all of them.

Councilor Bill Martinson, with the backing of the mayor, drafted the financing of a plan called Complete Our Streets.

"And today's reality is that streets are in the emergency room and we're going to have to take drastic action to get it out," said Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor.

The Complete Our Streets Plan would run for 12 years and cost $2 billion. It would require voters to extend current sales taxes, raise property taxes and increase utility rates.

Under the Christiansen plan, the first five years would cost $270 million. The sales tax extensions would be shorter, the property tax increase smaller and utility rates would not change.

"Simpler, smaller, shorter," said Christiansen.

Councilor Christian believes the length of his plan makes city hall more accountable instead of passing a plan that will outlast several mayors and councils.

"We go to the voters and say give us this money for 5 years and we'll show you what we can do. Specific projects are named and we do them," said Christiansen.

The meeting is Monday at 6:30 at Hardesty Library. There's another meeting on Monday, July 21 at Rudisill Library.