Tulsa toll bridge opposition group to hold meeting tonight

The proposed bridge over the Arkansas River is still stirring up debate and it's the topic of a meeting scheduled to take place tonight. <br/><br/>The Tulsa City Council has voted to oppose the bridge,

Monday, July 25th 2005, 6:42 am

By: News On 6

The proposed bridge over the Arkansas River is still stirring up debate and it's the topic of a meeting scheduled to take place tonight.

The Tulsa City Council has voted to oppose the bridge, but it appears Tulsa County is still moving forward with plans for it. 6 in the Morning reporter Omar Villafranca says the South Tulsa Citizen's Coalition doesn't want the bridge built.

It says extra traffic created by the bridge would overwhelm the roads and drain tax revenue. The county wants a private company to build the toll bridge at about 121st and Yale. Not only has the Tulsa City Council voted against the bridge, the city attorney has also issued a legal opinion saying the county can "NOT" use eminent domain to condemn city property for road purposes.

Despite all of that, it doesn't mean the project is dead. In fact the Citizen's Coalition says since the city council vote to oppose the bridge, surveyors have been out to 121st and Yale taking a look at things.

The South Tulsa Citizens Coalition will hold another meeting tonight to discuss the current status of the proposal. That meeting is scheduled for 7 PM at Saint James Methodist Church at 5050 East 111th Street.

Councilor Bill Christiansen is expected to be involved in the meeting, as well as other city leaders.