 At County Line Road, also known as 23rd Street, the bridge beams are being installed and traffic has been diverted for contractors to safely work on the north side of the bridge. This traffic shift will continue through January, subject to weather conditions.
Project updates January 2024
There is a traffic advisory on State Highway 51, near County Line Road (also known as 23rd Street) from Houston Street to Kenosha Street. As a part of the project to widen County Line Road, a new bridge is under construction.
The bridge beams are already being installed and traffic has been diverted to safely work on the north side of the bridge. This traffic shift will continue through January, subject to weather conditions.
Once this phase is complete, the contractor will move on to phase two of the widening project and shift traffic to the other side of the highway. The second phase is expected to take about a month to complete. We understand this phase will impact Broken Arrow Expressway commutes, but the bridge work means the contractor is making progress. The entire project is on schedule to finish in May. Thank you for your patience!
Another construction project is underway to widen Albany Street from 9th to 23rd Streets. The intersection construction is now complete, and the traffic signal installation on 12th Street has concluded. We are waiting for PSO to turn on the signal, which is expected to happen within the next couple of weeks. The contractor has already installed the road widening, curb, gutter, and driveways on the north side of Albany Street. As soon as the weather permits, the contractor will begin installing north side's asphalt.
The Washington Street Project, from Olive Street to Aspen Avenue, is widening the road to five lanes. Travel is allowed in both directions on the north side of the roadway. The contractor has completed the pavement widening, curb and gutter, and installation of a 10-foot-wide trail. The roadway expansion on the north side is expected to be finished this month, followed by the final mill and overlay. The entire project is anticipated to be completed by February.
Also, there are some special projects underway in addition to the transportation projects. First, the Elam Park restroom is going vertical. The installation of restroom utilities, park irrigation, and the park utility systems are underway, and a retaining wall has been completed. Due to supply chain issues, there may be project delays as the work progresses. The construction team is looking for ways to ensure efficient delivery to complete the park's first phase by May 2024.
Next, a new fleet building is currently being constructed on Poplar Avenue. The contractor has already finished installing the foundation and is currently working on the site utilities. Next, they will move on to the facility's under-slab utilities. This project is expected to be completed in April.
In addition, seven intersections throughout the city have newly painted signal poles. The contractor mobilized in mid-November and completed seven of the 10 intersections scheduled for a makeover. Unfortunately, they had to pause their painting due to low temperatures. But they will evaluate week by week to determine when it will be warm enough for them to continue their work.
There will be additional free parking spaces added to the Rose District. An extra 110 parking spaces will be available at a new parking lot located on the southeast corner of 1st and Detroit Streets. The northern main parking lot's pavement is now complete, and work on the southern portion of the new lot is expected to be complete in this month. Irrigation and electrical installations are underway with lighting, masonry, and plantings to be finished in early 2024.
And this spring, the city will begin installing a HAWK signal to assist pedestrians crossing the street between our two facilities at the Broken Arrow Senior Center on south Main Street. A HAWK signal is a high-intensity crosswalk beacon used to stop traffic only as needed. The contract was awarded by the City Council in October, and the supplies have been ordered. Work will begin once the supplies arrive on site.
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For more, click to watch City Manager Michael Spurgeon provide an update on the various transportation and building projects in the January 2024 episode of Broken Arrow in Motion. |
 The City Council will consider the adoption of a TIF ordinance, which would create Tax Increment District No. 5, at the next public hearing on Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 220 S. 1st St. This is a conceptual rendering of the interior of the Sunset Amphitheater at Broken Arrow.
On January 2, the City Council held a public hearing to discuss the creation of Tax Increment District (TIF) No. 5. The aim was to fund infrastructure improvements required for the Sunset at Broken Arrow Amphitheater project. During the hearing, Attorney Nathan D. Ellis, a bond counsel on public finance, infrastructure, and economic development matters at Public Finance Law Group, PLLC, defined a TIF and explained how the funding mechanism is used.
"A Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) is an economic development tool that allows a city to create a specific geographic area where it can capture new tax revenue generated as a result of development," Ellis said. "When a TIF district is created, the revenues can be utilized to pay for project costs that are related and necessary to the development itself."
A second public hearing will be held during the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 220 S. 1st St.
Authorized by Article X, Section 6C of the Oklahoma Constitution, a TIF provides economic development opportunities to areas that would not otherwise develop.
"There will be restaurants, hotels, and convenience stores as a result of this project. When you have 40-60 events a year, many people will come, and they will want to eat before or after. They will want to go to a store and get what they need," Assistant City Manager Norm Stephens said in an interview with City Council Rewind. "This will develop an area of our city that, without the TIF, which is allowing us to get the amphitheater, would likely not have developed for many years."
It's important to note that a TIF only captures new taxes generated by new development at an incremental level for up to 25 years. It does not capture existing taxes generated within an area. To learn more, visit Amphitheater funding detailed.
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Watch City Council Rewind with Assistant City Manager Norm Stephens and Communications Manager Aaron McColloch as they discuss the potential Tax Increment Finance District No. 5 that would fund the infrastructure improvements that are needed for the Sunset at Broken Arrow Amphitheater project. |
 Anderson Pond located at Events Park 21101 E. 101st St., has been stocked with Rainbow Trout three times so far this season.
With fall and winter's cooler temperatures, it's the perfect time for rainbow trout fishing in Broken Arrow. For the second straight year, Anderson Pond at Events Park, 21101 E. 101st St., is stocked and ready for anglers to fish.
A trout fishing pilot program that was initiated in the fall of 2022 was a resounding success according to City of Broken Arrow Recreation Superintendent Jody Baker.
"Last year, from December to February, more than 1,125 pounds of trout were stocked, marking our inaugural season," Baker said. "The pond, a hub of activity, attracted an average of 25 anglers daily, with numbers soaring to 100 people on peak days."
We're excited to expand our trout stocking program to 1,500 pounds of fish this season! As of Dec. 1, the pond will be re-stocked every two weeks through February, ensuring a vibrant and thriving environment for anglers.
"Our collaboration with Trout Unlimited for three clinics and hosting two fishing derbies were highlights of the program," Baker said. "To support and further grow this initiative, Broken Arrow Parks and Recreation is actively seeking new partners and sponsors to join us in nurturing this community-focused outdoor experience."
BA Parks and Recreation and Trout Unlimited will hold the next fishing clinic on Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Two fishing derbies will also be held in February - a kid's derby on Saturday, Feb. 10, and a Fish 'em Out Derby on Saturday, Feb.24.
Trout fishing regulations:
- Only one pole or rod and reel per person.
- Only 3 trout per person per day.
- No culling (releasing fish caught earlier and kept).
- Bank fishing only. No wading, tubing or boating.
- State Fishing License required.
For more information, visit Broken Arrow Parks & Recreation Trout Stocking.
 The Grand River
The Broken Arrow Municipal Authority (BAMA) is taking the first steps to make the switch to the Grand River as the city’s chief water source, after the trustees unanimously authorized city staff to begin the process of securing a secondary water supply.
As Broken Arrow continues to grow, so will the need for additional natural resources such as water coupled with infrastructure improvements.
Looking to the future, HDR, Inc., was hired in 2022 to study how to bring more water to Broken Arrow.
HDR recently completed the "Grand River Water Supply Study," and BAMA authorized and approved its findings on Nov. 7.
Representatives from HDR, Inc. presented the findings from the study that evaluated various options for bringing additional water to the city.
"As a part of the study, we looked at forecasting [population] projections to the year 2070," said HDR, Inc. Senior Professional Associate Kristi Shaw, P.E. For more, go to Grand River Water Study approved.
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