MAPS 4 to improve 140 EMBARK bus stops in 2024
05/09/2024
The City of Oklahoma City will improve 140 EMBARK bus stops this year in the first phase of the MAPS 4 Bus Stop Improvements project.
The enhancements will provide ADA-accessible, covered transit shelters with security lighting, trash receptacles and bike racks. The upgraded transit stops will result in a more comfortable public transit experience for residents and visitors.
Phase 1 includes $4.3 million to improve bus stops across the city, which were deemed the highest priority based on daily ridership and other factors, including proximity to certain facilities where there is a need to improve accessibility to public transit. MAPS 4 includes $11.2 million to improve approximately 500 of the system’s 1,400 stops.
Oklahoma City’s current bus stop shelter configurations are 5-by-8 feet and include a two-seat bench. With the addition of the MAPS 4 bus stop improvements, over half of the transit stops in EMBARK’s network will be ADA-accessible with a shelter.
MAPS 4 Bus Stop Improvements Phase 1 include:
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Shelter upgrades: Many bus stops will be equipped with upgraded shelters to protect customers from weather, offering commuters a protected waiting area. The new bus shelters will be the standard eight-foot shelter size or upgraded to 12 feet or 16 feet if ridership warrants a larger structure.
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Accessibility enhancements and paving flatwork: Paving improvements will increase ADA accessibility at all shelters in the first phase, including the installation of sidewalks and ramps at select stops.
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Seating and display boards: New seating will be installed, and all shelters in the first phase will receive a new display board.
"Improving EMBARK bus stops is a significant step forward for Oklahoma City’s public transit infrastructure and advances the City’s commitment to providing residents with a safe, convenient, and efficient transit experience,” MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. “By replacing existing benches with ADA accessible transit stops with a shelter and amenities we will improve the transit experience in Oklahoma City, encouraging more people to choose public transit as their preferred mode of transportation."
Construction on the concrete pads will begin in northeast Oklahoma City this month. Crews will install shelters and amenities later this year. Phase 1 is scheduled to be completed in early 2025. The contractor is Atlas Construction Group, LLC.
Visit embarkok.com/maps4 to learn more about this project. Stay up to date on the MAPS 4 Connectivity projects and other MAPS 4 projects at okc.gov/maps4.
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About MAPS 4
MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that will raise a projected $1.07 billion over eight years. Oklahoma City voters approved the sales tax to fund MAPS 4 in a special election on Dec. 10, 2019, moving forward with a unique and ambitious plan to transform our community. The temporary penny sales tax funding MAPS 4 began April 1, 2020, and ends in 2028. More than 70 percent of MAPS 4 funding is dedicated to neighborhood and human needs. The rest is for quality of life and job-creating initiatives. The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board and its six subcommittees will guide MAPS 4 planning and implementation, making recommendations to the City Council. The Council has final authority on MAPS 4. The MAPS Investment and Operating Trust developed a strategic investment plan to support long-term sustainable funding for MAPS 4 projects' operational expenses and maintenance. Visit okc.gov/maps4 for more.
Media Contact: Kristy Yager, (405) 297-2550, kristy.yager@okc.gov
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