26-02-2025
‘Reducing rail congestion': Federal grant awarded for rail crossings along the proposed rail corridor
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahomans may soon have a new form of moving from point A to point B according to a partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Central Oklahoma in developing a regional transit system.
RTA and ODOT were awarded $400,000 through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (RCE) by the U.S. Department of Transportation to evaluate 52 at-grade crossings from Edmond to Norman.
The RCE project seeks to analyze strategies that highlight community needs and safety with traffic flow at rail crossings. The goal would be to enhance safety along busy corridors with various transportation modes that improve accessibility to businesses.
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'This grant will allow us to evaluate and determine which crossings will need upgrades so we can improve traffic patterns across the metro and continue to advance planning for Commuter Rail. Reducing rail congestion will help us create better pedestrian and automobile traffic flow for our residents.'
RTA Executive Director Jason Ferbrache
RTA officials say ODOT has agreed to contribute 20% of matching funds to the project.
'ODOT is excited to work with the RTA on finding safe traffic for trains and vehicles along the RTA route through the Oklahoma City metro.'
Jared Schwennesen, multi-modal division manager for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
The outcome of the study is expected to prioritize crossings while additionally building a foundation for future grant opportunities as the commuter rail project takes steps to become a reality.
'One of the benefits to being the last metro of our size to develop a regional transit system is that we get to look at what other cities have done and emulate their success, as well as learn from their mistakes. Commuter Rail service between Norman and Oklahoma City and Edmond would be transformational for those cities, from both a quality of life and economic development perspective.'
RTA Vice Chair Marion Hutchison to the Norman Transcript.
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