Fixing Tulsa Streets
For more than two years through surveys and town halls, Tulsans said fixing the city streets is a priority. On Nov. 4, 2008, Tulsans voted to make a sizable investment in the community to provide $451.6 million in funding through the third penny sales tax and a general obligation bond issue. The two funding packages combined represent the largest investment in infrastructure in Tulsa’s history.
Now, the hard work begins. With citizen approval in place, the Public Works Department will begin to schedule and design work to be done. The schedule depends on coordination with other projects, the level of funding available as the bond issues are sold, the condition of the pavement, the geographic location and the complexity of the work to be done. All nine council districts of the city will receive street work, so projects will be spread throughout Tulsa.
The projects will vary in size and type of work to be done, from patching and crack sealing to asphalt overlay to complete reconstruction – including storm water issues, sidewalk tripping hazards and handicap ramps, and the replacement of old water lines.
All work must be carefully coordinated to minimize inconvenience to the public - motorists and adjacent property owners. The projects are grouped in order to maximize contractor efficiencies, but not overlap with other projects in the vicinity. The Department will strive to avoid working on simultaneous projects in an area where lane closures on a parallel streets or intersections would disrupt the flow of traffic.
The Public Works Department also must coordinate with other agencies and utilities that also do work in the right of way or in the streets. The Public Works Department has working relationships with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Tulsa County. Utility companies, cable and fiber optics all are responsible for coordinating their work with the Public Works Department to avoid gridlock in residential or business districts. Access to businesses is always a priority, especially during the upcoming holiday season.
The first bonds are scheduled to be issued in July, 2009, as existing bonds are paid. Bonds provide revenue for projects as soon as they are sold. In Tulsa, we use property taxes to repay general obligation bonds. It is important to wait until existing debt is paid before issuing new bonds, so property taxes will not be increased more than anticipated.
In the meantime, more than $70 million of street repairs funded by the 2006 third penny sales tax and the 2005 general obligation bond will begin. Tulsans will see an increase in street work before the end of 2008.
As with all street projects, Public Works will hold meetings with residents and businesses in an area surrounding the project. Adjacent property owners and tenants will be notified of those meetings by mail and can check online http://fixourstreetslive.com/Projects-Map/Default.aspx for updates.
At those meetings, Public Works officials will provide specific details of the project and timelines for the work.
Each street project is overseen by a City of Tulsa field inspector. Meeting participants will receive contact information for the field inspector and the contractor’s foreman. The project details, maps and contact information for inspectors also will be updated on fixourstreetslive.com.
This public investment, combined with the street repairs already scheduled or underway will make a significant impact on the condition of our streets. This public investment will have a positive impact on quality of life, public safety and neighborhood vitality. It’s progress as promised. Thank you Tulsa.