OKC to change 12 one-way streets to two-way

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jul 17, 2001 by Ray Dozier

The Oklahoma City Traffic and Transportation Commission approved the recommendation Monday to change 12 downtown streets from one- way to two-way.

That decision was based on the recommendation of a two-year study performed by Cobb Engineering of Oklahoma City.

Mark Long of Cobb Engineering said the study simulated traffic using a computer model to develop what if scenarios for the year 2020. We calibrated our model based on current conditions in the year 2000. We then projected that in the year 2020, he explained.

Long said his firm was able to project numbers into the future by using CORSIM software developed by the Federal Highway Administration. The traffic data in downtown Oklahoma City was provided by the city. The study took into consideration hotel, restaurant and event traffic downtown, parking, and employers of more than 100 workers.

Concerns over one-way streets in the downtown area is what initiated this downtown traffic study, Long said. Those concerns included driver confusion, lack of consistency between one-way streets, changes in traffic patterns with the addition of the Metropolitan Area Projects facilities, the future realignment of Interstate 40 as well as identifying new pedestrian and transit needs.

The streets recommended for changing to two-way streets are:

* NW Fifth, between Hudson and Western.

* NW Sixth, between Broadway and Western.

* Colcord Drive, between Shartel and Walker.

* Couch Drive, between Shartel and Walker.

* Harvey Avenue, between NW Sixth and NW 13th.

* Hudson Avenue, between NW Sixth and NW 13th.

* Lee Avenue, between Couch and SW Fourth.

* Oklahoma Avenue, between NE Second and NE 10th.

* Robinson Avenue, between NW Sixth and NW 13th.

* Shartel Avenue, between Couch and SW Fourth.

* Walker Avenue, between NW Sixth and NW 13th.

* Walnut Avenue, between NE Second and NE Sixth.

The commission's approval will be forwarded to the Oklahoma City Council for its consideration within about four weeks, according to Sheila Dees, chief traffic manager for the City of Oklahoma City.