After a legal ruling favored resident groups who charged the OTA with illegal practices and a lack of transparency, the authority ordered all work on a major turnpike expansion stopped.
In a victory for the state’s freeway fighters, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has halted work on a major turnpike expansion known as ACCESS Oklahoma, reports Asia Mieleszko in Strong Towns.
The authority was sued by residents who charged OTA with a lack of transparency in January. Plaintiffs claimed they were given inadequate notice about OTA's plans, even finding out about the potential displacement of their homes or businesses from newspaper reports.
A judge agreed, ruling that the OTA ‘wilfully violated’ the state’s Open Meetings Act. “On March 15, 2023, Oklahoma’s attorney general stepped in and seemingly sided with the plaintiffs, requesting an audit of the OTA.”
While OTA plans to continue the work in the future, “At the very least, the devastation of hundreds of homes, businesses, and natural areas necessary for the project’s scope is being put on hold,” Mieleszko writes.
FULL STORY: Breaking News: Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Stops Work on $15 Billion Turnpike Expansion
California Commission Approves Freeway Expansion
The state Transportation Commission ultimately voted to move a controversial Inland Empire interstate project forward.
Wielding Data to Fight Freeway Expansions in Toledo
A group of resident advocates is challenging the Ohio Department of Transportation’s arguments in favor of a proposed interstate widening.
Report: Bike Lanes Can't Make up for New Roads
If California wants to meet its climate goals, the state must stop funding its myriad road construction and expansion projects.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
