Project updates from around the city

An aerial view of the New Orleans Square Intersection as it nears completion. 

Here’s what’s happening beyond the dirt and cones. 

• At New Orleans Square, the contractor has entered the final phase of construction on the intersection at New Orleans Street and Elm Place. The pavement work is finished, and all the traffic lanes are open. The planting and irrigation work is wrapping up, and the contractor will finish the sod, striping, and pavers soon. Benches, trashcans, and signage will follow before the start of July, just in time for the annual New Orleans Square Block Party!
• On the 37^th St. widening project, from Kenosha to Houston streets, the roadway will be widened to three lanes. New sidewalk, water lines and storm sewer improvements are also a part of this project. 37th Street is closed through the summer, but don’t worry, it is expected to reopen under temporary conditions before the start of school in August.
• Over on Albany Street, between Lynn Lane and County Line Road the roadway will be widened to five lanes with a new traffic signal and pedestrian crossing at 12th Street at the Creekwood Early Childhood Center. The project is expected to take a year to complete.
• At the County Line Road widening project, between Kenosha and Houston Streets, a new bridge will be built across State Highway 51 and the road will be widened to five lanes. A new sidewalk, traffic signals and water and storm sewer improvements are coming. Temporary pavement widening and traffic signals will be operational soon at County Line at Houston. College Street, both east and west of County Line Road is closed until mid-August. The project is in its first month and should take a year to complete.
• At Washington Street, between Olive and Aspen, the street will be widened to five lanes. Improvements will be made to the storm sewer system and sidewalks added. Traffic has been shifted to the north side of Washington, one lane in each direction to work on the storm sewer improvements.

For more updates on the projects around BA, watch Broken Arrow in Motion with Assistant City Manager Kenny Schwab. 

Water and those who supply it are essential

City Utilities' employees at the Verdigris River Water Treatment Plant take pride in bringing water 24 hours a day, seven days a week to our residents throughout the City of Broken Arrow. Pictured from left to right Sheldon Howard, Sam Burman, Jed Beloncik, Don Goforth, Lou Ann Fisher, Moroni Echeverria, Justin McGuire, and Rick Daniels. 

By Utilities Director Charles Vokes

Recently, we have all become familiar with the term “Essential Workers” and have been made aware of all the unseen impacts they have on our everyday lives. These include our medical, police, fire, street, and other essential workers and businesses who couldn’t be shut down or work from home during the pandemic. 

I would ask that you also recognize another critical service that is largely invisible – Water Utilities. We rely on it to drink, cook, clean, and protect from fire. 

Water is vital to our local economy supporting businesses, manufacturing, and healthcare.

The Broken Arrow Utilities Department has over 90 licensed professionals who operate and maintain the Water Treatment Plant, the Water Reclamation Plant, over 1,300 miles of water distribution and collection lines, 40,000 meters, pump stations, lift stations, tanks, valves, and hydrants. These are all parts of the system that keep the water flowing to our homes and then safely reclaim the used water after we are done with it so others can use it.    

During 2022, our employees:

• Treated and distributed approximately 5 billion gallons of drinking water
• Collected and treated about 2 billion gallons of wastewater
• Read, replaced, and repaired over 500,000 water meters
• Completed 12,000 work orders to maintain the plants, distribution, and collection systems
• Performed over 4,000 drinking water quality tests in the distribution system

Summer is here, along with higher temperatures and the potential for less rainfall. Our daily use will double from an average of 12.5 million gallons to 25 million gallons because everyone will use more water. Monthly water bills pay for the infrastructure to treat and deliver water. It is essential to recognize that as Broken Arrow grows, these systems will need to be expanded to keep up with the demand. 

Recognizing the value of water by using it wisely will help delay these needs and help lower your water bills. Using water wisely is an action that we hope every one of our customers will choose to take. Here are a few suggestions (you can find many more online):

1. Install a rain sensor on your sprinkler system so you are not watering during a rain event.
2. Water during the coolest part of the day to reduce evaporation.
3. Using the odd, even address watering helps lower peak pumping at the Water Treatment Plant.
4. Repair leaks. A leaking faucet or toilet can waste 1,000s of gallons each month.

For additional information, visit the City of Broken Arrow Utilities website or call 918 259-7000.

Broken Arrow is growing— see what's coming near you

City Council approved Planned Unit Developments and Comprehensive Plan Changes for the May 2023 edition of the Community Development Update. 

Braille labels available for garbage and recycling carts

Taking out the trash and recyclables is getting a little bit easier for the City’s blind or visually impaired customers who read Braille. Beginning June 5, the City of Broken Arrow will be the first municipality in the area to offer recycling and garbage labels for each cart written in Braille.  

“We pride ourselves in being inclusive, and we’re interested in making sure that everybody can participate in the programs that we release to the public,” Jerry Schuber, Director of Solid Waste and Recycling, said. “These labels are a great example of another way we have enhanced the essential service of Solid Waste and Recycling collection for our customers.” 

Ronita Smalley is legally blind and serves as the Rehab and Community Outreach Manager for NewView Oklahoma, an empowerment agency benefitting people living with blindness and low vision. She says steps like these are moving the city in the right direction.  

“Your self-esteem and ability to do things on your own builds your confidence and helps you feel like you can take care of yourself and be more independent,” Smalley said. “We all need help from time to time, but the more we can do on our own, the better we feel about ourselves.”

Schuber is excited to provide this service to the community.  

“If someone has a sight disability or is visually impaired and can read Braille, this gives them the opportunity that hasn’t been a part of our program,” Schuber said.  

Customers who would like to receive braille labels may call the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 918-259-7000, extension 7356, or make a request on the My Broken Arrow Action Center App available in the App Store or Google Play. People with a physical limitation that prevents them from safely rolling their carts to the curb can  apply for the Physically Limited Accommodation Program. 

BrokenArrowOK.gov  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

City Hall 220 S. First St.
918-251-5311
Visit ActionCenterBA.com or call 918-258-3587
to report potholes, code violations and more. 
Permits and Licensing Center: 918-259-2411

Sign up for emergency phone, text or email alerts.