Should the legislature oversee Oklahoma’s Turnpike Authority?
Some angry landowners said it’s long overdue and argued their case in the Capitol on Tuesday
Some angry landowners said it’s long overdue and argued their case in the Capitol on Tuesday
Some angry landowners said it’s long overdue and argued their case in the Capitol on Tuesday
Should the legislature oversee Oklahoma’s Turnpike Authority?
Some angry landowners said it’s long overdue and argued their case in the Capitol on Tuesday. It’s a new battle between the Turnpike Authority and Pike Off OTA that stems down to this: does there need to be legislation to keep OTA accountable or are they acting within their authority?
The state senate’s transportation committee heard from OTA on Tuesday about how they operate and about the Access Oklahoma plan to build new turnpikes in the state. OTA’s opponents argue the turnp8ike plan isn’t only unauthorized in Cleveland County, but throughout the state.
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OTA took the stand first, claiming what they do is in statute and necessary. They addressed major concerns for the Access Oklahoma plan, including studies and how many homes will be impacted.
"Looking at some of the topographical surveys that we’ve been able to do to date, we think that that number is going to be closer to 200 or 250," said Joe Echelle, deputy director.
Those opposed to the turnpike also talked to the committee, discussing their multiple legal challenges, plus what they call historical faults of OTA. They said the lack of public input, engineering research, financial practices and taking property are major concerns of theirs.
"Right now, they’re required to do no justification studies. They’re required to do no engineering impact studies, no environmental studies," said Amy Cerato, geotechnical engineer and homeowner.
Now, they’re asking for legislation to help pull back power and keep the turnpike authority accountable.
"Putting those practices in place that are in almost every single other state’s statute – that anybody that’s building a roadway has to do these studies prior to construction starting," Cerato said.
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The process is in its beginning stages. The Senate committee heard both sides on Tuesday and will decide if a legislative task force is necessary.