Delayed Vision 2025 Project Underway

Friday, April 20th 2007, 10:31 am

By: News On 6

Work begins this year on several Vision 2025 projects that had been delayed. Tulsa officials say the delays were due to extra costs at the BOK Center and the Maxwell Convention Center. One of the projects put on hold was Haikey Creek. Even after a heavy rain, Haikey Creek is low enough to stay well within its banks, but the News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports after a prolonged and heavy rain, even this little creek can cause some big problems, but most of Bixby's historical problems with flooding will soon just be history.

â€œThe levee will be between Garnett and Mingo," said Bixby city manager Mickey Webb.

Bixby is now planning changes to Haikey Creek that will take 750 acres out of the floodplain, opening it up for development.

"The project will provide channelization, increasing the drainage from the area, and it will build a levee that will protect on those backwaters," said Webb.

The job to widen Haikey Creek will take at least another two and a half years, but it's the latest and maybe the last of the major steps that Bixby needs to take to prevent the kind of flooding this town had in 1986.

"It's been very dry lately, but the Arkansas River, we're always worried about the events that could happen," said Webb.

The project will improve the Haikey Creek channel north and south of 131st street, increasing the capacity. A levee will go up on the west side, providing even more protection from high water.

Webb says the $12.2 million project will pay off the most for people who live and work between 131st and the river. They'll have better protection from flooding on Haikey Creek.

The News On 6 and McDonald's have teamed up for the McReady Oklahoma Program. It gives Oklahoma families access to free tips on how to stay safe during severe weather season.

You can find important safety information at area McDonald's Restaurants or online at and at www.mcready.org.

For more information on the project, visit www.vision2025.info.

Watch the video: Work Begins On Delayed Vision 2025 Project