OKC Standard

Recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved funding requests from Senators Markwayne Mullin and James Lankford to allocate $19.5 million from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program to Oklahoma City’s Equitable Transit Access for All project. Additionally, $160,000 will be awarded to Rogers County's Flint Road Planning Project.

Oklahoma City's initiative aims to enhance the pedestrian and rider experience by funding amenities such as concrete pads, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements, covered bus shelters, benches, lighting, trash cans, and bike racks. This effort will be supported by Oklahoma City’s MAPS 4 program—a penny sales tax aimed at funding capital projects and economic development initiatives.

Rogers County's plan focuses on developing comprehensive proposals for road improvements to accommodate renovations and expansions of State Highway 20 along with the new Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Interstate 44 turnpike interchange to Flint Road.

“This funding addresses priorities identified in numerous planning documents and citizen surveys conducted by Oklahoma City since 2005 – namely accessibility and safety at bus stops. I am confident this project will improve citizen access to work, medical care, and activities,” stated Sen. Mullin. He also expressed strong support for Rogers County's project: “This project will support critical safety and mobility goals for Rogers County as well as the residents and economy of northeast Oklahoma.”

Senator Lankford emphasized the importance of these grants: “These RAISE grant awards are a huge win for Oklahomans. I’m proud to have worked alongside Senator Mullin to secure this funding... I look forward to seeing the implementation of the Oklahoma City project, and the advancement of the Rogers County project that will increase the safety and efficiency of our state’s transportation system.”

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt commented on receiving the grant: “We are thrilled to receive this RAISE grant, the largest in OKC history... This grant will work in tandem with MAPS 4 dollars to help us provide better public transit for all... I am grateful for the support we received from Senators Mullin and Lankford as we pursued this grant.”

Rogers County Commissioner Ron Burrows expressed his satisfaction: “I am delighted our RAISE application to develop a Comprehensive Plan will allow us to start the complicated process of improvements needed... connecting to the Will Rogers turnpike.”