PETITION TO SAVE THE UNION STATION RAIL TERMINAL
Please sign the petition AT http://bit.ly/usokc and forward to your friends. Thanks! Change OKLAHOMA.
Background:
The Union Station Terminal facility at purchased with public funds specifically to serve as a regional passenger rail hub and is essential to the rapid and economical development of safe, convenient, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly rail transit for the region.
OKC Union Station rail facility at 300 SW 7th situated at the center of the state's unique railway network and: connects every corner of the state,
The proposed destruction of OKC Union Station rail yard is unnecessary to the construction the new 1-40 Crosstown since there is a reasonable alternative that can preserve the rail facility and allow the completion of the highway with minimal cost and delays.
Rail transit oriented development has proven to be an economic driver for many progressive cities and offers transportation alternatives that are attractive to urban dwellers and the companies that hire them. Rail transit is the foundation of the most efficient urban/suburban public transportation systems and depends upon a central integrating hub. The Union Station in Oklahoma City is ideally suited and strategically located along existing right of way and could provide that critical hub.
An opportunity exists to modify the planned alignment of the I-40 New Crosstown highway by shifting a short segment 125 feet south so as to preserve the rail assets at Union Station including the most direct rail access to Will Rogers World Airport and the downtown, Core To Shore, and the new anticipated convention center and hotel.
The Cities of Norman, Shawnee, and El Reno have all passed formal resolutions asking for reconsideration of an option that would preserve the Union Station Terminal facililty. The final decision on what happens to Union Station’s rail yard and its connecting rail lines clearly rests on Oklahoma City’s shoulders. A very reasonable alternative now exists; federal funding is available to offset the additional costs; and there is extensive municipal and public support throughout the metropolitan area for the proposal.
Please sign the petition below and send a message to the Oklahoma City Council to support the modification of the planned alignment of the New Crosstown Highway sufficient to preserve the opportunity for future use of the entire rail yard at Union Station as a regional commuter rail transit and multimodal hub for Central Oklahoma. For more information visit www.ontracok.org
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