City of Norman

PROJECT PURPOSE

The project is the widening of 36th Avenue NW from Tecumseh Road to north of Indian Hills Road to four lanes, bike and pedestrian accommodations and the improvement of the intersections at Franklin Road and Indian Hills road with turn lanes and traffic signals. The roadway has sight distance issues at the Franklin Road intersection and there have been multiple severe auto accidents at this location. This roadway is adjacent to the newly completed Ruby Grant Park which is a regional park. These improvements will make it possible for the surrounding neighborhoods to access the park by proposed bike and pedestrian pathways. This roadway also serves as a route to the Norman Regional Health Hospital on Tecumseh Road and as a relief route for I-35 during collisions or congestion. This project specifically targets safety for the City's most vulnerable roadway users, namely people with disabilities, pedestrians and bicyclists. The intersections will be safer due to signalization allowing for safe crossings. 36th Avenue NW would also provide opportunities for economic development at the intersection with Indian Hills Road. Developments have been proposed in this area but lack of roadway improvements have contributed to the loss of development opportunities.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

This project will have a positive impact on people with disabilities, pedestrians and bicyclists. The current roadway only has sidewalks along portions of the south mile. The project will add pedestrian and bike pathways along both sides of the roadway for the entire length of the project and traffic signals will be included at the intersections to accommodate safe crossing of the streets for all of the impacted populations. This will aid in the access to Ruby Grant Park, which has a ADA accessible play area and to Norman Regional Healthplex and the associated medical offices. During the COVID-19 pandemic these populations were negatively impacted by a loss of transportation alternatives. This project will increase these opportunities along this roadway.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The City of Norman currently collects traffic and collision data. This data will be used to evaluate the new constructed roadway. Building permits along the corridor could also be evaluated to determine the impact on economic development.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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