If you have ideas about the future of transportation in Oklahoma, you still have time to make your recommendations.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is finishing up a series of public meetings on its State Long Range Transportation Plan, policies to guide the next 25 years. The department held a meeting in Muskogee, earlier this month, and Oklahomans can yet mail comments to the agency.
Issues brought up in Muskogee centered around trails, rail and highways. This board’s comments are as follows:
• At the Muskogee meeting, one person questioned the wisdom of funding pedestrian and bicycling trails at a time when states and cities don’t have enough funding for repairing roads. Sen. Tom Coburn opposed trail funding in the federal stimulus program. However, walking and bicycling trails are valid alternatives to roads and highways as they are energy-saving programs and improvements in quality of life, providing exercise to Oklahomans sorely in need of it.
• Oklahoma should develop rail, just as other states are developing it and the Obama administration is promoting its development. However, Americans appreciate the freedom of personal vehicles and will not give them up. Also, while more goods should be shipped by rail, we won’t return to the days when most goods were carried by rail. Rail lines should be developed only where they are the most feasible, practical and economical. They should be self-supporting.
