The Oklahoma State Capital

Traffic through downtown Guthrie may have a new place to stop if ODOT (Oklahoma Department Transportation) follows up on a verbal agreement to finance a new four way stoplight at Industrial and Division road.

Guthrie City Manager Bret Jones said Tuesday night that an ODOT representative has informed him financing should be available for this new stoplight. Safety concerns were initially raised by property owners on the south-west corner of the Division and Industrial intersection. At that time the latest ODOT traffic survey for the intersection could not justify the expense of installing a light. ODOT is the agency responsible for traffic modifications on South Division because it is State Highway 77.

During the July 11th meeting of council, Ward II Councilor Randy Foster revived concerns about the intersection. He and other proponents of the new traffic light say traffic has increased in the area. Traffic turning onto Division from Industrial is put at risk because of the speed allowed on Division and due to the hill to the south.

Several commercial properties are located on West Industrial Road. One of these employs a considerable amount of employees and another (OG&E) employs Foster. The problem is further complicated by new development on both sides of Industrial west of Division.

Traffic could increase in this area as improvements are planned on both East and West Industrial Roads. The project to pave East Industrial could begin as soon as September. On Tuesday night Jones announced that progress has been made receiving funding from ODOT for the pavement of West Industrial Road.

While Jones did not say if a reason has been given by ODOT for why it is now possible to fund the intersection light project, some city councilors have expressed a desire to fund the construction with city funds if they can not be granted by the state. ODOT approval would still be necessary for the project in the event of city financing.