How OKC improves pedestrian walkways and sidewalks through MAPS 4

City leaders are investing nearly $100 million to make Oklahoma City more walkable. More than half of that money is being invested in the city's sidewalks. One city leader says that for a while, sidewalks weren’t required in many areas of the city. Officials said the focus is on improving accessibility and safety. 

MAPS 4 program manager David Todd says too many Oklahoma City neighborhoods still lack safe sidewalks, and many existing ones need repair.

“Right now, we have several phases of sidewalks that are under construction. We’ve got more going out. We’ve got some in design. We have another one that bids just next week,” Todd said. “We’re gonna be building sidewalks for quite a while.”  

MAPS 4 invested $61 million to spend on sidewalks. Another $22 million will go toward bike lanes, $9 million for trail updates, and the city will add 1,000 new streetlights. The funding for these projects was already preapproved through the MAPS 4 one-percent sales tax. Voters approved that plan back in 2019. 

Sidewalks phase 2B project locations:  

1. Adventure District 
2. Edwards Park 
3. Culbertson East Highland 
4. North of NE 23rd Street  
5. South of NE 23rd Street 

“Some of the places that we’re emphasizing are schools, libraries, commercial districts,” Todd said. 

Several projects near Downtown are near or at completion. Now the city has approved five new projects on the city's Northeast side. Todd said the updates will help improve access to people of all abilities. 

“We went such a long time without requiring sidewalks that we’re obviously deficient in what we need,” Todd said. 

“It helps people with disabilities get around better. They're not in the street. It drives me crazy to see wheelchairs in the street.” 

Making a safer community for all ages. Paving the way for a community on a new path forward. 

“Kids aren't walking on slippery slopes. They're not out in the street,” Todd said. “Overall, it just helps for a better city.”