City of Norman

PROJECT PURPOSE

The City of Norman currently has 18 public crossings of the BNSF Railroad. The grade separation of Tecumseh Road at the BNSF Railroad is an Action Item in the city?s Comprehensive Transportation Plan that was adopted by Council in May, 2014. The city currently has two railroad grade separations located on Robinson Street (center of the city) and on State Highway 9 (south side of the city). This project would locate another grade separation on Tecumseh Road (north side of the city) which is, coincidentally, the road that leads directly to the Norman Regional Healthplex Campus to the west of the existing railroad crossing.

EVIDENCE

Travel time to and from the Healthplex and points east will be drastically improved with the prospect of stopping for a passing train no longer in play.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The majority of revenues coming into the City of Norman are sales tax based. During the pandemic these have either been flat or below average. This has created a situation where new projects such as this one have been difficult to fund locally. In addition, the pandemic has brought a heightened sense of awareness as to the importance of medical facilities. The idea of access to a medical facility being blocked, even temporarily, by a passing train can mean the difference between life and death

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Knowing that traffic headed to the Norman Regional Healthplex from the east of from the Healthplex to the east will not be delayed by a passing train is all the measure of project performance that is necessary.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma