Broken Arrow approves ODOT agreements to build sidewalks and trails; $4 million project with city share about $900,000

The Broken Arrow City Council approved two agreements with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to build new sidewalks and pathways under a Carbon Reduction Program grant. City officials said the work represents roughly 1 to 1.75 miles of new pedestrian and bicycle facilities and totals about $4 million, with the city responsible for approximately 20% of the cost — about $900,000.

Vice Mayor Johnny Parks described the segments in the council summary: one project runs along New Orleans Street from First Place near Freshman Academy to the intersection at Lynn Lane; the other is a pathway along Lynn Lane between Almadie and Omaha streets. "Anytime you can get something, for free or nearly free, you know, you have to grab it," Parks said, praising the city's engineering and grants team for securing the funding.

Parks said the city will pay approximately 20 percent of the project cost under the funding mechanism, which leverages the Carbon Reduction Program. "So that is actually $4,000,000 worth of work, and we're paying, $900,000 of it," he said.

Aaron McCullough said the work comprises about a mile to nearly two miles of sidewalk and that the projects were approved on the council's consent agenda. The council did not provide specific vote counts in the recorded summary.

Officials said the agreements and grant submittals were the result of proactive staff work to find external funding and that engineering will coordinate construction with other city projects. For more information, the city referred residents to the meeting materials posted on the city website.