Fri, Aug 22 2008
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Published July 08, 2008 12:00 am - Norman city councilmembers approved a cooperative traffic solution for the area between the Classen Boulevard and Constitution Street intersection and the portion of Constitution between Classen and the railroad tracks. Constitution Street RR crossing to get quiet zone median By Carol Cole-Frowe Norman city councilmembers approved a cooperative traffic solution for the area between the Classen Boulevard and Constitution Street intersection and the portion of Constitution between Classen and the railroad tracks.
The public/private agreement would be a new concept for the City. The City of Norman plans to install traffic signal improvements and center median improvements that would meet the requirements of a quiet zone at the Constitution crossing with the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad. "This is a fairly unique agreement," said Public Works Director Shawn O'Leary. "What makes it unique is that public improvements are usually tied to the platting process." The street would become five-lane with a turn lane and raised median. The median would be the first in Norman to be compatible with a future quiet zone, which would be an agreement with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad not to blow horns at railroad crossings. "It would be the first one in Oklahoma," O'Leary said, if Norman were to become a quiet zone. The new signalization also would be pedestrian-friendly. Owner/developer BES Investment, LLC, managed by Sassan Moghadam, will voluntarily widen Constitution Street and install sidewalks. Developers requested and were given general commercial zoning and a final plat in August 2007. A traffic analysis was performed, although the developer was not required to make any upgrades. The City would provide $71,460 for median construction, $50,000 for traffic signalization and $25,043 for the asphalt overlay. However, the City's estimated cost would be reduced to $61,055 by using "in-house" labor and equipment, which would be provided by the City's traffic control and street divisions. BES would provide $107,111 for the widening. Norman resident Jeannette Coker said the City shouldn't be spending money on the traffic project, but instead fix the potholes around town. "This is a perfect example of why our streets are in such bad shape," Coker said. But another resident, Mary Francis, supported the concept. "The idea of a quiet zone is appealing to me. The safety of these track crossings in Europe is unquestioned because they have these kinds of barriers ... I think it's a very good idea wherever possible," Francis said. "I can definitely support this." Carol Cole-Frowe 366-3538 ccole@normantranscript.com 
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