Norman Transportation Committee Meeting Story

The Norman Transportation Committee met for its monthly meeting on February 25, 2010.

Representatives from the Bicycle Advisory Committee requested to be moved to the first item on the agenda. The proposal brought forward by the committee was one to create bike lanes in Norman. Currently, there are no bike lanes in Norman and have not been since the Bike Map was created in the 1990's. Rather, cyclists follow bike routes. The old bike lane markings have faded over time, so the committee proposes to repaint them while also adding new ones.

A large majority of the old bike lanes are located east of the University of Oklahoma and north of Lindsey Street. The BAC hopes to connect the old lanes to new lanes that extend through the OU campus to new developments on the south part of campus.

The biggest concern is the restriction of parking in all bike lane areas as lanes would extend along both sides of the street. However, the committee approved of the idea as long as the issue of parking would be considered.

Evan Stair of the Northern Flier Alliance discussed the expansion of Amtrack Services from Oklahoma City to Wichita, Kansas. As of now, there is no route traveling from Oklahoma City into Kansas. He proposed four different routes, all of which would allow travelers to reach Kansas City from the starting point of Oklahoma City.

A new route has been added to the Cleveland Area Rapid Transit system, or CART. The West Norman Link will serve northwest Norman by providing access along 36th Avenue Northwest, Tecumseh Road, 24th Avenue Northwest, Robinson Street and Interstate Drive.

“In 2007, working with the transportation subcommittee, CART developed a long range transportation plan. That plan was placed off a 2003 transportation needs study paid for by the University,” planning and grants manager for CART, Cody Ponder said.

Some key stops along the route include the Norman Regional Health System HealthPlex, Embassy Suite Hotel and Conference Center, University Northpark, Sooner Mall and residences along 36th Avenue Northwest.

Kris Glenn, marketing and public relations specialist for CART, explained the need behind the new route.

“With the HealthPlex and with Embassy Suites, Northwest Norman is really starting to develop. With Norman, the HealthPlex there is really a critical need to get patients there, to get employees there, visitors that may be back and forth from the hospital,” Glenn said.

The addition of the West Norman Link is part of a comprehensive plan that includes more routes, more days of service and more hours of service. The route is the first new Norman city route in 16 years.

Dan Quinn, transportation committee chair for the past year, cites the importance of the connection between the CART system, the city of Norman and the University of Oklahoma.

“The cooperation and the assistance with CART and OU helping solidify that joint venture, we have been able to increase the city’s donation contribution to the CART program,” Quinn said.

He also says that the committee has been able to help lower income families will lower rates and passes so that they can use the public transportation system.

In other business, Theta Dempsey introduced Doug Myers, director of parking and transportation services, as her replacement as the director of CART, following her retirement. Also, no concerns were expressed pertaining to the CART and SafeRide services.

The Norman Transportation Committee will next meet on Thursday, March 25th and 5:00 p.m.