NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — Turnpike turmoil continued Wednesday with the first of three open house meetings taking place in Norman.
Many families in the path of the new route once again expressed that they don’t want to sell their homes, and they will continue to fight against it.
Those in favor of the toll road said it will improve traffic and safety on I-35.
“The people of Norman do not want the turnpikes,” Dave Moore with Pike Off said.
The bumpy ride is far from over for homeowners who now find themselves in the path of the Turnpike Authority’s proposed south extension near Norman.
On Tuesday, the OTA revealed the new route, saying 75 homes would likely be torn down.
At a meeting for affected homeowners 24 hours later, those in favor of the new toll road say it’s the best option to reduce traffic and crashes on I-35.
“This is about safety,” Bobby Stem, in favor of the turnpike said. “I know that things are going to be painful. There’s no doubt this is a really tough process. But I’ll tell you something that’s even more painful is when you have people die on I-35 because of congestion.”
Many others, including Norman’s mayor and a state lawmaker, are not convinced.
“It will not improve traffic in Norman, it will not benefit Norman residents, and it has the potential to cause serious harm to the rural character of Norman, to the Lake Thunderbird watershed, to wildlife, to the environment overall,” Stephen Tyler Holman, Mayor of Oklahoma, said.
“We’re trying to fight the corruption that happens in road building and especially the turnpike system in Oklahoma,” Sen. Mary Boren (D) Norman, said. “So it’s our turn now to protect Oklahomans, all Oklahomans, every zip code, every house, every precinct from having a corrupt system that prioritizes bondholders over sound economic policy and sound transportation policy.”
Mayor Holman suggested alternatives.
“The cost of this south extension alone could pay more than for the entire long range regional transit plan, almost twice over,” Mayor Holman said. “Those solutions are what will actually reduce traffic on I-35 and make it safer, not this toll road.”
“It’s definitely not less money,” Stem said. “If you look at Dallas and look what it’s taken for them to build. You take a look one mile of road versus one mile of rail. Rail is always going to be a lot more.”
Homeowners along the new path also got a chance to ask questions, and many used it as a chance to voice frustration.
One couple we spoke with says the process of the OTA trying to buy their home has been strenuous.
“One day you’re really strong and you’re working on your counter and the next day you’re crying because it’s like there’s nowhere to go,” this couple said.
Opponents worry these meetings with homeowners will do nothing to stop construction, but they’re vowing to keep up the fight.
“As mayor of Norman, I 100% stand behind our residents who are fighting to keep their homes,” Mayor Holman said. “I support our state representatives who have spoken out on this and who are demanding accountability and transparency from the OTA. And as mayor, I will continue to support any effort that we can take to resist this project coming into our city.”
There are two more open house meetings within the next five days.
Sept. 27 | 2-4 p.m. NCED Conference Center and Hotel. 2801 E. State Highway 9, Norman, OK 73071
Sept. 29 | 5-7 p.m. Noble High School Commons Area. 4601 E. Etowah Rd, Noble, OK 73068
