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December 13, 2012

Hub named in top 25 transport projects

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — The Santa Fe Intermodal Transportation Hub is featured in the Sierra Club’s new national report, “Smart Choices, Less Traffic: 50 Best and Worst Transportation Projects in the United States.”

The Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club commends the hard work of the Oklahoma City government, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, individuals and citizen groups like OnTrac (Oklahomans for New Transportation Alternatives Coalition) for coming together to build the project.

“Transportation infrastructure we build today will be with us for decades,” said Oklahoma Chapter chair Charles Wesner, of Norman. “The Santa Fe Intermodal Hub is exactly the right kind of infrastructure we need as part of a 21st century transportation system that enhances our quality of life, decreases congestion, saves energy, reduces pollution and high ozone levels and helps Oklahoma City’s economic growth as a cool city.”

“We are very pleased that the Sierra Club, a prominent national organization, has recognized this project as one of the top 25 best transportation projects in the country,” said Marion Hutchison, president of OnTrac and a member of the ACOG Hub Study Oversite Committee.”

ACOG develops regional solutions to transportation issues.

“Norman is very much involved in ACOG and the whole push for commuter rail service from Norman,” Wesner said. “I’m hoping I can live long enough to see that happen.”

“Under MAP 21 (Moving Ahead for Progress,) the nation’s new transportation policy, we have the opportunity to ensure that Oklahoma invests in the transportation projects we need to fully develop the Oklahoma City metropolitan area’s commuter rail potential,” Hutchison said.

Regional effort includes:

· ACOG completed Intermodal Hub Study

· ACOG conducting $1.5 million Commuter Rail Corridor Analysis for Oklahoma City to Norman, Edmond and Midwest City

· ACOG developing framework for Regional Transit Authority and Regional Transit District

· Oklahoma City funding $120 million for downtown modern street car system in MAPS 3

· Oklahoma City funding $10 million for intermodal hub

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