Henry isn't completely against the state putting up a share of the money for the new Crosstown, but since it is a FEDERAL interstate, Henry doesn't think the state should have to pay half, which is what Istook was suggesting recently. I tend to agree with Henry. He's right on! It's a FEDERAL problem, not a state one. The FEDERAL government owns that highway. It's crucial to this nation.
It should be our representatives at the federal level (i.e. ISTOOK) lobbying for this.

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"Henry puts I-40 in fed's ball court: Congressional uncertainties make state budgeting efforts ‘very, very difficult’
by Janice Francis-Smith
The Journal Record
12/28/2004


Journal Record Photo
Oklahoma officials should wait until the federal transportation bill is passed before committing to fund a sizable share of a proposed $360 million Interstate 40 Crosstown project, Gov. Brad Henry said on Monday.
"Right now, it is very, very difficult for us to budget into the future when it comes to transportation," said Henry. "We haven't even gotten a six-year bill yet out of Congress, so we don't know what our federal dollars are going to be. We can't be obligating our state dollars."

So far, U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, as chairman of the Transportation and Treasury Appropriations Subcommittee, and other members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation have secured $180 million in federal funds for the project, which would realign a 4.5-mile section of the interstate highway.

The portion of I-40 that runs right through the heart of Oklahoma City, bounded on the east by the I-35/I-235/I-40 interchange and extending west just past May Avenue, will be moved south of its current route. The project also includes plans to create a boulevard to access downtown along the current path of the highway.

Last week, Istook, R-Okla., urged local and state officials to consider forming public-private partnerships to help fill the remaining $180 million funding gap for the Crosstown project. Without local and state funding for the Crosstown, completion of the project could be delayed until 2014, said Istook.

Henry said he'd be happy to sit down with Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation and state and local leaders to discuss "any and all possibilities to get the I-40 Crosstown project done."

However, maintaining existing roads and bridges in Oklahoma is a priority, said Henry.

"(The Crosstown) is certainly something that I'm supportive of and a priority, but I don't think state government can be looked to for that big a slice of this project," said Henry. "That's approaching nearly half of the cost of the project."