BROKEN ARROW, Okla. -- As housing grows around Broken Arrow High School, traffic is expanding with it.
This summer the city will introducer a $210.5 million bond proposal to voters. Johnnie Rials said as she watches other drivers, safety is her priority for these funds.
"Not paying attention, not being an attentive driver, or in a rush to get to work, or in a rush to get home. You'll start to see cars in the ravine," Rials said.
Neighbors said during peak commute hours, cars can be lined up on 23rd Street between Albany and Omaha for close to half a mile.
"When you're off work or when you finish you're ready to go home, you're ready to get home. Either way I go I will have a wait," Rials said.
About 70 percent of the funds would go toward dozens of transportation projects, including widening the road for traffic on this stretch of 23rd Street. Andrew LeMaster works in the area and said the bridge over the ravine is becoming a hazard.
"I've seen some concrete trucks go through there where I'm left scratching my head there wondering, hey, are they going to make it or not? I hope they make it. They usually do. Every time I've seen them go they've made it," LeMaster said.
If passed, the bond would be funded by the city's ad valorem property tax, and would not increase taxes for residents. Just over $9 million would be designated to bridge and traffic improvements on 23rd Street.
"I don't want to have anybody speculating what needs to be done to the roads 15 years from now but we need to fix these in such a way that we set ourselves for five, 10, 15 years down the road where we don't have these problems again," LeMaster said.
The bond would also widen Houston Street, Washington Street, and improve the intersection of Washington and Aspen Avenue. It will be introduced to voters on August 28th.
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