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A public meeting to discuss proposed projects to improve State Highway 53 got off to a late start. It could not have pleased Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials more.
Because of an overflow crowd, the meeting was moved to the Milo Baptist sanctuary, as concerned citizens were eager to hear about plans to make the highway safer. The $35.5 million project is slated to begin construction in 2013 and will be comprised of two phases. The first project is slated to begin 5.5 miles east of State Highway 76 and cover 1.37 miles. The second will span Midway Road to Peachtree Road and will encompass 8 miles. Improvements include two 12-foot lanes with 8-foot shoulders and eight new bridges.
“I was really happy with the turnout,” Sen. Frank Simpson (R-Ardmore), said. “We had to move to the biggest room which was impressive. I was impressed with the information ODOT provided and I think people left with a good idea about what is going to happen.”
Those in attendance took the opportunity to voice concerns and ask about further improvements. Safety was the key issue for the majority of those in attendance. The highway is ranked the 9th most dangerous in District 7, which includes Carter, Love, Murray, Jefferson, Caddo, Cotton, Stephens, Comanche and Grady Counties. In the past five years, there have been two fatality collisions, 27 injury collisions and 48 property collisions.
“This is one of the roads that have needed improvement and we are here now,” Bob Rose, Division Engineer, said.
Among the areas of concern is the Caddo Bottoms. Residents, who asked about decreasing the speed limits, cited trucks failing to observe speed limits as a danger. Increased activity in the oil field and trucks driving down State Hwy. 53 to avoid weigh stations on Interstate-35 were reasons given by those attending for the increased danger. Current average daily traffic on the highway is listed at 1,400 per day with an expected future increase to 1,800. Rose admitted the report was not adjusted for an increase of activity in the oilfield but noted engineers did use the best information available.
Concerns were also given about traffic in Graham as well as flooding during heavy rains. Rose said the reconstruction should take care of flooding.
The state will not have a road closure throughout the project and work has begun on right-of-way and utility relocations. ODOT officials noted the project is on an accelerated rate in order to complete as soon as possible which came as welcome news to those in attendance.
“The attendance was very impressive,” said Jeff Hiller, Division Construction Engineer. “I have been to urban-type meetings like this without this many people.”
A public meeting to discuss proposed projects to improve State Highway 53 got off to a late start. It could not have pleased Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials more.
Because of an overflow crowd, the meeting was moved to the Milo Baptist sanctuary, as concerned citizens were eager to hear about plans to make the highway safer. The $35.5 million project is slated to begin construction in 2013 and will be comprised of two phases. The first project is slated to begin 5.5 miles east of State Highway 76 and cover 1.37 miles. The second will span Midway Road to Peachtree Road and will encompass 8 miles. Improvements include two 12-foot lanes with 8-foot shoulders and eight new bridges.
“I was really happy with the turnout,” Sen. Frank Simpson (R-Ardmore), said. “We had to move to the biggest room which was impressive. I was impressed with the information ODOT provided and I think people left with a good idea about what is going to happen.”
Those in attendance took the opportunity to voice concerns and ask about further improvements. Safety was the key issue for the majority of those in attendance. The highway is ranked the 9th most dangerous in District 7, which includes Carter, Love, Murray, Jefferson, Caddo, Cotton, Stephens, Comanche and Grady Counties. In the past five years, there have been two fatality collisions, 27 injury collisions and 48 property collisions.
“This is one of the roads that have needed improvement and we are here now,” Bob Rose, Division Engineer, said.
Among the areas of concern is the Caddo Bottoms. Residents, who asked about decreasing the speed limits, cited trucks failing to observe speed limits as a danger. Increased activity in the oil field and trucks driving down State Hwy. 53 to avoid weigh stations on Interstate-35 were reasons given by those attending for the increased danger. Current average daily traffic on the highway is listed at 1,400 per day with an expected future increase to 1,800. Rose admitted the report was not adjusted for an increase of activity in the oilfield but noted engineers did use the best information available.
Concerns were also given about traffic in Graham as well as flooding during heavy rains. Rose said the reconstruction should take care of flooding.
The state will not have a road closure throughout the project and work has begun on right-of-way and utility relocations. ODOT officials noted the project is on an accelerated rate in order to complete as soon as possible which came as welcome news to those in attendance.
“The attendance was very impressive,” said Jeff Hiller, Division Construction Engineer. “I have been to urban-type meetings like this without this many people.”
