OKC awarded nearly $2 million for sidewalk improvements near schools

Oklahoma City has been awarded nearly $2 million in grants from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to fund sidewalk improvements near five elementary schools. The funding is part of the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and will help enhance pedestrian safety around schools identified as top priorities in the city’s bikewalkokc master plan. 

bikewalkokc, adopted in 2018, serves as Oklahoma City’s comprehensive framework for improving cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. The sidewalks near the five selected elementary schools are in areas identified as high-priority locations for pedestrian infrastructure by bikewalkokc and are located within Wards 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8. 

“Our recent update to bikewalkokc identified several schools across the city where sidewalks are needed, and this grant, with the MAPS 4 sidewalk funding, will reach more schools,” Transportation Program Planner Justin Henry said. “We will continue to find opportunities to fund this kind of important safety infrastructure around the city, and we are thankful to ODOT for selecting these projects.” 

The sidewalk improvements will take place at five elementary schools, including bordering properties. At Bodine Elementary and the Metrotech Bryant Campus, sidewalk improvements will take place along Bryant Avenue, from SE 45th Street to south of SE 56th Street.  

Fisher Elementary School sidewalks will be enhanced along Southwood Drive, covering both the southwest and northwest sides of the school. 

At James L. Dennis Elementary and Putnam City North High School, sidewalk improvements will be made along NW 117th Street, extending south and east of the school.  

For Rockwood Elementary School and Lorraine Thomas Park, sidewalks will be upgraded along Independence Avenue, from SW 24th Street to Lorraine Thomas Park. Additional sidewalks will be revamped on SW 24th Street from Independence Avenue to the west of Grand Boulevard and on SW 23rd Street, also from Independence Avenue to Grand Boulevard. 

Rollingwood Elementary School will have sidewalks renovated along NW 63rd Street from Grove Avenue to Ann Arbor Avenue, along Ann Arbor Avenue from NW 62nd Street to NW 63rd Street and along Grove Avenue from NW 62nd Street to NE 63rd Street. 

These sidewalk enhancements will provide safer routes for students walking to school and help improve overall pedestrian mobility in these neighborhoods. 

The TAP funding is an 80/20 program and will cover 80% of the cost of the construction, with the remaining 20% matched by MAPS 4 funding – in which the initiative allocates $61 million for sidewalk construction throughout the city.