OKC losing one-way streets downtown
By Brian Brus
Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter
Posted: 06:51 PM Wednesday, April 4, 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY – A major city planning tradeoff is under way as downtown Oklahoma City continues to lose its one-way streets.

The last vestiges of an outdated attitude toward inner-city traffic flow will disappear by the end of this year as more Project 180 streetscaping is phased in, City Engineer Eric Wenger told City Council members this week. Not all one-way street conversions were incorporated in the scope of Project 180, but city staff planned the final conversions to coincide with other work to avoid additional traffic disruptions.

The next section planned is Walker Avenue from Main Street to Sixth Street at City Hall. It will be opened to two-way traffic a block at a time, Wenger said.

Decades ago city officials crisscrossed the downtown district with one-way streets with the intent of speeding up traffic flow to more efficiently move people between work and home, Wenger said. At about the same time, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers realigned the North Canadian River – a stretch of which is now called the Oklahoma River – to a simple canal, also in the name of efficiency. But a few years ago, Oklahoma City leaders decided a slightly less efficient design in some ways would be better for development overall.

David Morley, a researcher with the American Planners Association, said the conversion trend is now common in downtown areas across the country. The decision depends on the community’s goals. Some cities are trying to revitalize districts, much like Oklahoma City.

“It’s naturally that over time we engineer solutions to one problem without understanding that we’ve just created a new problem,” he said. “Eliminating congestion downtown has unintended consequences – you may have had a lot of people walking around downtown, and then you notice they’ve disappeared.

“Motorists are not always as enthusiastic, but business owners get more drive-by traffic,” Morley said. “Two-way streets tend to be more pedestrian-friendly. If you have two directions of traffic flow, typically vehicles move slower and that makes it easier for pedestrians to make a safe crossing.”

Oklahoma City leaders’ decision was driven primarily by a study about 11 years ago in which planners were asked to examine the effects on traffic from major capital improvement projects in the area, the Oklahoma City National Memorial, increased business development and the planned move of Interstate 40.

And in a study in 2009, another researcher firm suggested that the district’s pedestrian traffic could be improved by changing vehicle traffic patterns and adding medians.

“People who are already familiar with downtown don’t have a problem with one-way streets, but it can be confusing to visitors,” Wenger said. “Opening streets in both directions will give us some traffic management options that we don’t have now … like on nights during a Thunder (basketball) game.”

Some of the most recent converted street segments include Oklahoma Avenue from Second to 10th Street; Walker Avenue from Third to Main Street; Shartel Avenue from California to Main Street; and Harvey Avenue from Main to 13th Street.
Converting streets from one-way to two-way is more trouble than merely changing the color of street lane striping, Wenger said. New signs and street signals must be put into place, and the latter usually requires vehicle triggers put into the street as well.

At the same time that the street directions are being converted, Project 180 is upgrading almost all the public spaces that lie between buildings in the district, including street pavement, sidewalks, benches, lighting and bicycle lanes. When the new streets are finished, new traffic directions should already be in place, Wenger said.

Here's a better version of that slide from the two-way street conversion presentation:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/twoway5.jpg

this is such a win for OKC .. it will be great to have the all of these streets 2 way by the end of the year

It is going to be strange driving south on Walker.

Is 5th street being two way east all the way to Walnut, or stopping at Oklahoma?

So where's the funding??

It is going to be strange driving south on Walker.

Is 5th street being two way east all the way to Walnut, or stopping at Oklahoma?

5th street is only going to be 2 way to broadway


So where's the funding??

2007 bond issue funds

5th street is only going to be 2 way to broadway

I don't like that. The City needs to rethink this area between Broadway and Oklahoma. I know that this is a stretch for the highway connection to the 235 on ramps, but I can't tell you how often cars are turning right at the light of 5th and Oklahoma, driving all the way to Broadway against traffic. One lane going westbound would be sufficient.

Anyone driven down the newly completed Robinson section lately? It's really beautifully done. Maybe someone down there can snatch some pictures.

Two major downtown streets set to reopen Wednesday with Project 180 improvements
(April 16, 2012) - Oklahoma City has good news for downtown workers: Robinson between Main and Park and Sheridan between Hudson and Robinson will reopen to traffic on Wednesday, April 18.

Traffic will be two-way on Robinson from Sheridan to Park. The portion of Robinson from Park to Kerr will remain one-way so OG&E crews can replace circuits. Once complete, the rest of Robinson will transition to two-way traffic. Sheridan will also open to two-way traffic.

Crews will continue installing landscaping and completing sidewalks along the two streets.

Motorists and pedestrians are advised to be particularly careful as they adjust to the change.

“Remembering to look both ways before crossing Robinson could be a challenge for downtown walkers and cyclists,” said Public Works Director Eric Wenger. “The same goes for motorists when they experience oncoming traffic on Robinson for the first time. Changing decades-long driving and walking habits won’t happen overnight. Motorists and pedestrians need to be vigilant and yield to each other during this time of transition.”

According to Wenger, work is wrapping up on phase four of Project 180, with phase five expected to be complete by the end of this year. Drivers and workers should experience fewer closed streets this fall.

http://www.okc.gov/news/2012_04/Two_major_downtown_streets_set_to_reopen_Wednesday _with_Project_180_improvements.html

http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2012/04/16/sheridan-and-robinson-to-reopen-but/

Photo from Urban Pioneer showing the Robinson construction between Sheridan and Park.

Note the big stones / boulders in the median:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/robinson41712.jpg

And here's one of the Colcord drop-off area right off Robinson:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/colcord41712b.jpg

Also, its worth noting that the guy on the ladder is installing LED "wash lighting" on top of the Colcord awning/canopy to illuminate the face of the building in LED color.

Can we bulldoze and repurpose the Century Center? What an atrocity that complex is.

Can we bulldoze and repurpose the Century Center? What an atrocity that complex is.

If you think it looks bad now, there is a concept being floated around to build another two levels of parking on top of the existing structure.

And seriously floated at that per the council meeting today.

If you think it looks bad now, there is a concept being floated around to build another two levels of parking on top of the existing structure.

there are some plans underway to very much change how it looks from the outside

Looks like they are finally finishing the paving in front of Coney Island:

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/527377_439121289437833_120793601270605_1946185_989 964777_n.jpg

I am pretty impressed that Coney Island has survived all this!
They do get a lot of construction workers in there.

LOVE that place!

Here's a better version of that slide from the two-way street conversion presentation:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/twoway5.jpg

Hopefully the construction by the Chesapeake Energy arena will happen during the nba off season, because that will be an issue during game night

Hopefully the construction by the Chesapeake Energy arena will happen during the nba off season, because that will be an issue during game night

the road construction by the arena is already finished other than the south side .. where the old I40 is located



also note that sheridan in front of Devon opened yesterday .. robinson between park and sheridan opened yesterday and the slab was poured in front of coney island yesterday

I imagine SW 3rd ST will go away since the BLVD will already be there.

the road construction by the arena is already finished other than the south side .. where the old I40 is located



also note that sheridan in front of Devon opened yesterday .. robinson between park and sheridan opened yesterday and the slab was poured in front of coney island yesterday


anyone have pics of the new roads?

Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but Steve has some pics of the streets here:
http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2012/04/17/new-downtown-views/

Photo from P180's Facebook page showing progress at Bicentennial Park:

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536129_440392402644055_120793601270605_1948799_423 539528_n.jpg

Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but Steve has some pics of the streets here:
http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2012/04/17/new-downtown-views/

thanks Larry, very nice improvement. Love the BB court

Photo from P180's Facebook page showing progress at Bicentennial Park:

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536129_440392402644055_120793601270605_1948799_423 539528_n.jpg

Pete, I hope that eventually ends up being progress. Seeing all of that barren ground where huge trees used to be makes me cry.

Lol,,, All in the name of "progess", Okc has too many trees anyway.

Pete, I hope that eventually ends up being progress. Seeing all of that barren ground where huge trees used to be makes me cry. I couldn't agree more. I really hope this ends up being worth that horrible mow down of those beautiful trees.

Hopefully someone will build some mid-rise apartments fronting the park. It seems a shame to go through all this expense and have no one use the park while the adjacent landuse is mostly surface parking lots.

Pete, I hope that eventually ends up being progress. Seeing all of that barren ground where huge trees used to be makes me cry.
i pretty much agree with you and i was against the total redo of that park ... ... however i will say that the park will look very good when finished and will be an atractive part of okc ..and the civic center .. they are also making great progress on the streets around the civic center and city hall ...



also of note is the street in front of coney island is now fully paved and they only have to finish off the sidewalk to finish that project

Has anybody seen how Hudson just west of Devon is coming along?

They should be very close to finishing that section as well.

Has anybody seen how Hudson just west of Devon is coming along?

They should be very close to finishing that section as well.

hudson from sheridan to colcord is pretty much done .. just the west side side walk attachments need to be finished

Pete, I hope that eventually ends up being progress. Seeing all of that barren ground where huge trees used to be makes me cry.

Went by 2 weeks ago to check it out, got so upset and disgusted I forgot to take any pictures!

Photo from P180's Facebook page showing progress at Bicentennial Park:

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536129_440392402644055_120793601270605_1948799_423 539528_n.jpg

This is an atrocity.

Anyone have a before pic of this site?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bicentennialpark.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bicentennialpark2.jpg

Pavement being poured on that last section of Hudson between Sheridan & Park:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/380707_440990155917613_120793601270605_1950445_209 9278486_n.jpg

I was kind of rushed getting these. Didn't have much time before work.

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1746.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1745.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1738.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1737.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1734.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1733.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1732.jpg

Fantastic, I wish I could say that your pictures make me feel better about this project, but not yet.

Fantastic, I wish I could say that your pictures make me feel better about this project, but not yet.

Yeah, I know...

Some more pics from this morning... I guess it would be yesterday morning by now...

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1698.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1694.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1689.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1688.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1677.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1676.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1681.jpg

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/FantasticOKC/Arts%20District/DSCN1685.jpg

Great pics!

Thanks for those.

Will they *ever* finish that Main Street portion?? Unbelievable how long that has taken them.

Another photo of Robinson median near the Colcord (courtesy Project 180):

http://www.okc180.com/assets/Robinson%20Median%20Art%2020120420%20web.jpg

Thanks for those.

Will they *ever* finish that Main Street portion?? Unbelievable how long that has taken them.

Main st now open in front of coney island. All that's left is median landscaping and fishing the south side walk(open but not finished)

^^ when will this be finished here in the pic

What's with the cheesy boulders in the median?

Dunno, I suppose someone took it for granite they gave a solid appearance to the median.

What's with the cheesy boulders in the median?

I think it makes us look more like Oklahoma. When travelers from out of state visit, they are wanting an authentic experience and feel of Oklahoma, not a faux Dallas-esque feel that so many locals want. Texas embraces their stars and cowboy boots, we need to embrace native American and rustic elements to create our own unique flavor.

What's with the cheesy boulders in the median?

I like them. Gives it a little character out of the norm, besides, it's just caddy corner from the MBG with the huge boulders and water display.

We are now in the eighth month of construction of one single block of Robinson Avenue (between Park and Main) and it's still not complete. Although Robinson was opened to traffic last week, the broken up sidewalks and incomplete curbing remain invitatations for broken legs. Downtown pedestrians ignore or take down the pointless plastic barricades every day, only to have someone come along and put them back up (but do no other work). For several weeks the barricades required pedestrians to walk in the middle of the eastbound lane of traffic on Park just to cross the street. The scheduling of this 180 Project is extremely frustrating to anyone who works downtown. It's been nuts. And for what reason? We had a perfectly fine concrete street before and we're going to get one that looks just like it when this is finally complete (which at this rate might be 2013).

The director of the parks department made a presentation to City Council this past week about the reuse of the various plaques, monuments and statues that were located in the now demolished Bicentennial Park.

They had received an offer to conduct a charrette by local landscape architects which they accepted. The result was a series of recommendations that were also approved by the Arts Council:

1. Move the statue of Stanley Draper to the west lawn in front of City Hall.
2. Move the statue of Wiley Post to Wiley Post Park on the south shore of the Oklahoma River.
3. Move the statue of General Stafford to Star and Stripes Park (even spoke to the General about this and he liked the idea).
4. Keep the conductor statue in from of the Civic Center.
5. Incorporate most of the Bicentennial monuments and plaques into the new design of Bicentennial Park.
6. Move some other small plaques to other city parks.


I have to say this seems to be an example of government, local businesses, the general community and a nonprofit all coming together to come up with well reasoned ways to make the best use of these park assets. Credit to all those involved.

...
1. Move the statue of Stanley Draper to the west lawn in front of City Hall.
2. Move the statue of Wiley Post to Wiley Post Park on the south shore of the Oklahoma River.
3. Move the statue of General Stafford to Star and Stripes Park (even spoke to the General about this and he liked the idea).
4. Keep the conductor statue in from of the Civic Center.
5. Incorporate most of the Bicentennial monuments and plaques into the new design of Bicentennial Park.
6. Move some other small plaques to other city parks.

... coming together to come up with well reasoned ways to make the best use of these park assets. Credit to all those involved.

I may not like what they're doing outside the Civic Center, or how they went about it, but yeah, credit where credit is due. That's a downright decent solution.

What happend to the international flags on the concord? That was my favorite part!

What's with the cheesy boulders in the median?

This is probably a very bad thing for both of our credibility, but I'm beginning to think we have fairly similar taste regarding many things...

I also agree wholeheartedly with kevinpate, that this is a very good resolution regarding the existing monuments.

This is probably a very bad thing for both of our credibility, but I'm beginning to think we have fairly similar taste regarding many things...

I also agree wholeheartedly with kevinpate, that this is a very good resolution regarding the existing monuments.

Now I am worried too. I am agreeing with you too. Lol.

Those boulders don't look natural. Look like the truck left and forgot to take them with them.

By truck, you mean the tonka truck, not a professional construction workers' truck..

Maybe this is one I just need to see in person, which I can actually now do for a while...

I walked around them a week or two ago. They don't really bother me.

What's with the cheesy boulders in the median?

It almost looks like an attempt to reduce the areas where jaywalking will happen, from this angle I can not tell if people can get between them, is there space to get between the rocks or not?

It almost looks like an attempt to reduce the areas where jaywalking will happen, from this angle I can not tell if people can get between them, is there space to get between the rocks or not?

Not really, unless you have the agility of a mountain goat. The rocks, IMHO, are fugly and detract from the overall look of downtown. Trees and grass in median were more attractive and safer for pedestrians. And yes, I know it's jaywalking, but people will cross in middle of street to get from 55 N. Robinson to Century Center parking garage.
It will be interesting to see what happens when sidewalks are completed. Right now, crossing in the middle between Colcord and 55 is about the only way to get there unless you want to walk way out of the way. Most people don't - especially if carrying tax records or other documents.
Epic fail on completion of Robinson.