Streetcar strife
Readers had plenty of questions about the streetcar for The Oklahoman’s Steve Lackmeyer during Friday’s edition of the OKC Central Chat.
From current frustrations to questions about the future, Downtown’s scrambled streetscape and the coming streetcar system that helped create it were among topics readers had questions about on Friday’s OKC Central chat.
Here’s a transcript of the chat, edited for clarity and space.
Q:I drive across NW 12 street often, between Classen and Broadway. Is there a reason the lights are not set to allow a full drive-thru between the major streets? I have to stop at multiple red lights and therefore, a simple drive one street north through residential is often easier.
A: My understanding is that once the streetcar construction is finished we will see a re-timing of traffic lights throughout downtown.
Q:How do you feel about cars being able to turn right in the streetcar lanes behind the
pedestrian islands? seems like a bad idea to me as it would encourage faster car speeds through wider turn radii.
A:I think we all have a big education ahead.
Q:With walkability/livability improvements OKC is trying to make, why aren’t pedestrian signals automatic here?
A: Oklahoma City’s downtown streets were 100 percent oriented toward motorists until about a dozen years ago. In many areas of the city, sidewalks were never built. Change continues, but I’m not sure how long it will take to do away with “beg buttons” for pedestrians. Another observation —
eliminating right turn on red in pedestrian areas would also go a long way improving safety and walkability.
Q:Many cities I have visited have illuminated street signs above main intersections identifying primary cross streets, making it easier for first-time visitors to navigate. These should be included in any future MAPS project.
A:I agree, they would be a great addition.
Q:Did you see that NW 4 and Broadway is closed for streetcar tracks installation? Cars are scrambling to find ways around, and it really increased car traffic through Deep Deuce. You can’t make an omelet without cracking a few eggs.
A:Eggs are cooking all over downtown streets these days!
Q: I’ve been around downtown after major sporting events, and have seen traffic backing up because a lot of people (who probably don’t spend much time downtown) didn’t know they could drive on the streetcar tracks. What education initiatives are the city working on to educate people on how to share the road with the streetcar?
A:It’s been going strong on social media, but far more will be needed and I think that’s in the works.
Q:Speaking of those pedestrian crosswalks, many now have voices telling you what to do and they are a woman with a really hick southern twang. Couldn’t they afford an accent neutral voice for this? I cross the same intersection multiple times a day and it sounds ridiculous.
A: I’m not aware of this. Maybe we should have Wayne Coyne voice the street crossings in Plaza District, ask Steven Adams to voice the street crossings for downtown, and ask Toby Keith to voice the
crossings in Bricktown?
Q:Is it possible MAPS 4 might include a regional light-rail system?
A:The city has been meeting with folks from Edmond, Midwest City and Norman for several years. I just don’t know what they’re thinking yet on timing.
Q:Will there be decent places to park at the far reaches of the streetcar system so that people can drive in, park away from downtown, and then take the streetcar?
A:Somewhat. I can see more people parking in garages and using their cars less during the day. But if we’re talking about a park-and-ride situation, I don’t know.
Q:When is the streetcar going to be complete and ready to accept passengers? Will the two routes have different dates for startup?
A: This winter. And the entire system is set to start at once.