Quote Originally Posted by Dubya61 View Post
That's a great question. I don't think it's because people in Choctaw/Harrah/Newalla/Stella/east Norman can't get to I-44 easily. The (other thread's) discussion of making Choctaw/Hogback Road a state highway should solve that for some. For me (further east), I can get to I-44 and points east through OK Hwy 102 or US Hwy 177. I think there are some miserably depressed / blighted areas (Jones, Spencer, etc.) that are beyond OKC's ability to either affect or care and mar the growth that is happening (mostly north). Choctaw is trying to foster some growth with their new town center, but that's Choctaw, not OKC. Harrah is treading water, economically and progress-wise and seems to be content as it is. Again, that's Harrah, not OKC. Newalla is just barely on OKC's radar, but OKC has to traverse three pretty large and independent entities (Del City, Midwest City and Tinker AFB) to get there and realize that it's open for growth and development. Shawnee's not extending any tendrils or olive branches in that direction and seems to be pondering whether or not they should slow down sprawl / growth except for casinos. In any case, Shawnee's growth seems to be east towards Seminole and engulfing the interstate leaving behind a rotting vacant old town.
I don't think this interstate / toll road is needed to relieve I-35 of traffic. We need an RTA to develop some lines from Norman to Edmond (and others) to relieve I-35 of traffic.
I'm not sure that OKC needs to grow east until it can (and not necessarily in this order) 1) tie in Tinker with solid, reliable public transit, 2) solve Jones/Spencer property values and schools, 3) make friends with Choctaw/Harrah and public transit, 4) make the ACOG involve Shawnee, and 5) set down some RTA lines that address all these urbanizations.
i'm not talking about choctaw/harrah ect ... i'm talking about OKC east of 44 I35 north of midwest city ...

if their was a legit tollway in that area you would see that part of town explode with growth ...