Plans for Elevated Roadway in Oklahoma City Encounter 'Buzz-Saw of Criticism'

According to Steve Lackmeyer, traditional highway design, aimed at the automobile, is clashing with modern urban planning trends, of 'complete streets' and multi-modes, over a new proposal to build an elevated highway in Oklahoma City.

2 minute read

August 2, 2012, 9:00 AM PDT

By Andrew Gorden


If you've paid any attention to recent trends in urban highways, you'd guess that there was a universal shift from construction, to demolition, of America's urban highways. Well, one city is bucking that trend entirely. Engineers at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, seeking to cater to a growing volume of motorists, are looking to complete a decades old plan for an elevated highway in Downtown Oklahoma City.

"Now, as state highway engineers are about to let out construction bids for the road, they're encountering a buzz-saw of criticism that the road will kill development south of the road by Classen Boulevard and will recreate the old highway barriers that blighted the area a half-century ago," reports NewsOK's Steve Lackmeyer.

The highway proposal, dating from the 1990s, represents a much different time in Oklahoma City's history. Lackmeyer cites the city's new downtown development - like Devon Energy Center, Bricktown Ballpark, and the Bricktown Canal - that didn't exist at the time of the highway's initial proposition. Additionally, some argue the highway represents an old way of thinking about roadway design, and that urban transportation policy has evolved to include all forms of transportation, not just catering to the automobile. Hence any plans to change roads in the city, they argue, should consider a multi-modal approach.

From a bigger picture point-of-view, the highway signifies another lasting aspect of transportation planning in America, that of regional interests conflicting with local interest. The current Mayor, and many citizens, have adamantly fought against the proposal, some as far back as its initial unveiling. Still, state officials and city engineers continue to pitch their case for the elevated highway.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 in NewsOK

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit