OKC Commuter Rail

[OKVision4U]

Yup, he's back on ignore. Just report his posts since Pete and Martin don't read every thread, they tend to miss behavior such as what he tends to display on multiple threads.

Behavior, you mean opinions, statements, ideas....? This is a forum. I'm a big boy and can handle myself as you already know. ...

[OKVision4U]

Yup, he's back on ignore. Just report his posts since Pete and Martin don't read every thread, they tend to miss behavior such as what he tends to display on multiple threads.

The health of any forum is only as good as the participants. Loss of Life, Safety, cost, design, economic ideas, Entertainment, food, ...I feel very strong about my position.

But Venture, who are you????? that you feel you and can try to "scare" me out my participation on this forum? Maybe it is time you need to push away from that computer and get some fresh air. You are not letting others share on this forum. Maybe it is time for you to find another hobby.

[Tier2City]

I did see your distasteful video. My response to that - how may people get struck by a train today at commuter rail stations? What cities have you been in and used their commuter rail service? List them.

Still hoping you can share your personal experiences of other city's commuter rail systems.

[Urban Pioneer]

Crickets

LOL...

I would like to address the earlier posts about streetcar on NE 23rd street. A couple things... 23rd street would be awesome for streetcar! It would be on the busiest bus route, could intersect with the Classen northbound line, Edmond commuter rail line, and the Ward 7 "Adventure Line" to the zoo.

A few years ago, (I think it was Betts, me, SW Aviator, and a couple others) went running around the State Capitol. We figured out that a platform could be installed under the bridges beneath the Capitol Complex and directly drop people off at the steps of the state capitol or tie into the underground tunnel system that connects most of the Capitol Complex buildings. The entrance to the tunnel is about 200' away. That would directly enable transit connectivity to the complex which essentially sits on an island inside a giant highway interchange. In terms of getting inside of the giant clover leaf, it is not a pedestrian friendly environment at all. Having a streetcar stop smack dab in the middle of it would really enable letting go of car travel to get there efficiently.

We also met with ODOT about this proposal. It was a hilarious but disappointing meeting. Our concern was that the underpass beneath I-235 is prone to flooding and would potentially disrupt streetcar service. They know about the problem, admitted to us that "there was a fix", and that it had just never "been a priority" but "they really should do something about it."

Not to derail the thread... but it is these conversations that have fueled my absolute distaste for our Highway Department.

Streetcar could directly tie the Edmond Commuter Rail Line to the Capitol Complex.

[David]

Now that just fires my imagination up. Extend the line going up Lincoln past the Health Center to the Capitol Complex, then take a left at 23rd and head west until we get to Classen to loop back into the rest of the system, and then keep going to tie the University in as well.

[Hutch]

Still hoping you can share your personal experiences of other city's commuter rail systems.

I'd really like to hear from someone who has used the UTA (Salt Lake City) system...both TRAX and the Frontrunner. From everything that I've read, it's one of the best new rail transit systems in the west and is a great model for Oklahoma City.

Transportation Secretary Hails Utah's Rail System

Salt Lake City Rail Transit System

The idea of rail transit is one thing...finding a way to gain the necessary political support to develop it and the financial capital to build and operate it is entirely another story. A big piece of the funding equation for many cities involves major funding grants from the FTA. Clearly, based on Secretary Foxx's statements and the significant amount of federal funding that Salt Lake City has received, the FTA likes what they are doing. We would be wise to emulate their efforts.

Of the various peer cities for Oklahoma City to look toward, Salt Lake City is more similar to OKC in geographic size, population density, economic activity and political leanings than most of the others. Like Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City once had an extensive streetcar transit system that disappeared in the 1940's and was slowly replaced by buses.

Salt Lake City Streetcar History

Like Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City's bus transit system struggled for many years to provide adequate transit service. But in 1969, Salt Lake County and others heavily lobbied the Utah Legislature and secured passage of a bill allowing local communities to solve their transit needs by creating regional transit districts (sound familiar...the Oklahoma Legislature just passed HB 2480 allowing for OKC to do the same). In 1970, Utah Transit Authority was created. By 1980 UTA began developing plans for rail transit service. However, it wasn't until 1999, spurred on by the coming Winter Olympics, that Salt Lake City finally made the decision to construct it's first Light Rail line. In 2008, Salt Lake City opened its first Commuter Rail Line from downtown north to Ogden (think Edmond), and recently opened its second Commuter Rail line to Provo (think Norman). Both lines have very successful ridership.

UTA History

UTA Frontrunner

A considerable portion of Salt Lake City's TRAX Light Rail system operates in the street and in traffic, much like Modern Streetcars. So, an Oklahoma City regional transit system based on an extensive Light Rail Modern Streetcar system within the densest areas of Oklahoma City coupled with a Commuter Rail system serving Edmond and Norman would look and function very similar to the Salt Lake City system, which in my opinion is a great system to strive for.

[OKCisOK4me]

^^Thanks Ernest Istook...

[warreng88]

Yeah, Vis's comment about not knowing if 23rd was necessary made him lose any credibility he had left in my book. How can you avoid 23rd and I-235 where the capital that employs thousands of people is a few blocks away and one of the most up and coming areas is the Uptown district? You could run a streetcar line through DD, up Lincoln and through the OU Med area, then further north to 23rd, west through Uptown and south down Classen. That would give you close access to the Plaza District and buses that would go by OCU. Then, run it back down Classen to 13th and reconnect with the original streetcar line. You would not have to run through HH/MP but would go on three sides of it.

[hoya]

So, where would be good stops on the MWC line? I am not familiar with that area enough to warrant an opinion. Also, I am not sure what line they would be using.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4520262,-97.3896091,14z

Look at the corner of Reno and Sooner Road. There's a diagonal line that goes from there to the middle of Air Depot. It then continues diagonally close to the intersection of Midwest Blvd and 15th. From there it goes across 15th, and then hooks around and goes back towards Midwest Blvd and 29th. That's the old rail line, I believe it's completely abandoned right now.

The proposed path would take Reno all the way through Del City, and then angle over on the old rail tracks through MWC. So I'd see the major stops as:

Corner of Reno and Sooner
Middle of Air Depot (aka the "Golden Corral" stop)
Maple Dr (Midwest City High School and Mid-Del Technology Center)
15th & MW Blvd (Uptown Center)
29th and MW Blvd (David Stanley)

[warreng88]

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4520262,-97.3896091,14z

Look at the corner of Reno and Sooner Road. There's a diagonal line that goes from there to the middle of Air Depot. It then continues diagonally close to the intersection of Midwest Blvd and 15th. From there it goes across 15th, and then hooks around and goes back towards Midwest Blvd and 29th. That's the old rail line, I believe it's completely abandoned right now.

The proposed path would take Reno all the way through Del City, and then angle over on the old rail tracks through MWC. So I'd see the major stops as:

Corner of Reno and Sooner
Middle of Air Depot (aka the "Golden Corral" stop)
Maple Dr (Midwest City High School and Mid-Del Technology Center)
15th & MW Blvd (Uptown Center)
29th and MW Blvd (David Stanley)

I like that route. You could do the stop south of Reno, east of Sooner where there is currently an old bar and have a park and ride in the old Anthony's north of there.

There seems to be a descent amount of land on the west side of Air Depot north of the tracks for a stop and then expand the parking lot further.

There is an old building north of the tracks and east of MWB that could be torn down and replaced with a stop, so I like that one as well.

29th and MWB would be the most interesting stop to me because you have Tinker just to the south and the most shopping half a mile to the west.

Of course, all of these stops would have to run with the bus system to make it easier for people to ride.

Thanks for the input.

[soonerguru]

This is NOT a futuristic technology, Texas is doing it NOW w/ Japan Central . ...so why can't we? ...if we have a way of funding it, then wouldn't we want the Best for OKC Metro?

...again, Grandma is not riding the big heavy diesel loco to go see her Dr. at OU Health.

I admire your passion, but you're in danger of overposting. Can you at least open your mind to other alternatives? Is is possible that the people who invest hours of their lives on this subject every single week, and have direct relationships with key stakeholders and decision makers, know a bit more about this than you? I admire your passion but you're becoming a broken record. Also, you completely ignore input from others.

[warreng88]

And he is now banned, so we can move on and have intelligent conversations where people can sometimes see both sides of the coin.

[soonerguru]

OK, after reading OKVision's ridiculous troll posts, I'm ready for a swap of bchris. Can we take bchris out of detention and put another troll poster in time out? He's not adding substance to the conversation.

[soonerguru]

And he is now banned, so we can move on and have intelligent conversations where people can sometimes see both sides of the coin.

Oh, good to hear. The mods here are doing a great job. It's OK to disagree, and argue your point, but when someone just trolls entire threads and ignores new input and information (and accuses good posters here of being agents in a conspiracy), it's time to boot them. Glad to see the board ops recognizing how much trolling undermines quality discussion here.

[David]

Regional rail-based transit system plan could reach voters in a few years

Oklahoma City might be more than a decade away from having a truly regional public transportation system, but it’s also already well down the road toward creating one.

A well-researched route for streetcars and a commuter rail? Check.

Passed legislation that allows for the creation of a regional transit authority? Check. Conversations and support from various city leaders? Check.

“I don’t think that the type of regional transit [system] we envision for Oklahoma City is just around the corner; I think it’s a ways off [from completion],” Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said. “But keep in mind how far we’ve come.”

...

[cagoklahoma]

This probably isn't the correct place for these pics, but a train went by earlier this afternoon with nothing but passenger cars. Probably 15 cars long. The last car has the curved class on the roof. I hope this will one day be a very common sight in OKC!

[OKCisOK4me]

This probably isn't the correct place for these pics, but a train went by earlier this afternoon with nothing but passenger cars. Probably 15 cars long. The last car has the curved class on the roof. I hope this will one day be a very common sight in OKC!

I'm certain that's a BNSF business train or company train dedicated to transporting veterans.

[LakeEffect]

I'm certain that's a BNSF business train or company train dedicated to transporting veterans.

Yep, it's BNSF's business train. But I don't think it's dedicated to transporting veterans, they use it for many things. The rear car has theater-style seating and a large window so that executives can review the rails as they tour the system.

[cagoklahoma]

That's really cool! Thanks. Seeing passenger cars (non-HF) was an unusual sight, but very welcomed.

[OKCisOK4me]

Yep, it's BNSF's business train. But I don't think it's dedicated to transporting veterans, they use it for many things. The rear car has theater-style seating and a large window so that executives can review the rails as they tour the system.

Yep, I've seen the rear car sitting up in the yard north of 23rd for more than a few months. I might have been thinking of Union Pacific. They did a special touring train for current veterans and their families.

[Bullbear]

yes that is the BNSF executive train they do use it for conferences and examining rail lines. a friend of mine is the on board chef.

[LakeEffect]

yes that is the BNSF executive train they do use it for conferences and examining rail lines. a friend of mine is a the on board chef.

Way off the commuter rail topic, but that's awesome. I'd love to be on a railroad's board.

[Plutonic Panda]

From The Edmond Sun

OKLAHOMA CITY — The citizens of Central Oklahoma will journey one step closer to regional transit when six local mayors gather next week to sign an historic agreement. The ceremony will memorialize the creation of the Central Oklahoma Regional Task Force which will develop a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for the region.

The agreement signing with take place at 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Santa Fe Station, 100 S. E.K. Gaylord Blvd. in Oklahoma City. Santa Fe Station is designated the regional transit hub.

Along with Edmond Mayor Charles Lamb, Mick Cornett, mayor of Oklahoma City; Cindy Rosenthal, mayor of Norman; Glenn Lewis, Mayor of Moore; Dee Collins, Mayor of Midwest City and Brian Linley, Sr., Mayor of Del City will be in attendance.

- read more here: Lamb to sign historic agreement to advance regional transit for central Oklahoma - The Edmond Sun: News

[Urban Pioneer]

Yep! It is exciting! It will be a history making moment when the agreement is consumated.

[Plutonic Panda]

I can't wait. I am excited for this to move from talk to where we are placing the stations and and putting down new track or upgrading the existing.