Lights out: Budget trims will darken expressways

By MIKE JONES Associate Editor - 11/1/2009


The city of Tulsa is in such a budget crunch that the mayor is grasping at ideas on how to reduce costs. The mayor has disbanded the Mounted Patrol Unit, grounded police helicopters and is facing laying off some police officers. All controversial and painful decisions.

In addition, Mayor Kathy Taylor wants to turn off the lights on the portions of the expressways controlled by the city. That has some people, including Councilor Bill Christiansen, concerned.

Let's get a couple of things straight. Turning out the expressway lights will not affect neighborhoods. Those street lights will remain on. And the interchanges, those spots where highways and turnpikes come together, will remain lit.

The fact is that much of the highway system has been dark for quite some time. The Broken Arrow Expressway, U.S. 169 and Interstate 44, for example, are not fully lit.

Christiansen was interviewed on TV shortly after Taylor made the announcement that the lights would be turned off. He said that he was concerned because he finds it difficult to see when the road is black and the night is dark.

Does the councilor not have headlights? Maybe he's like my granddad who always had to "get home before dark." We always used to kid him about having some headlights put on his car. Maybe Christiansen has the same kind of car my granddad had.

Has the councilor never driven to Oklahoma City on the Turner Turnpike at night? Has he ever driven on any highway anywhere in the state at night? If it gets really dark, try the high beams, councilor.

The TV report went on to point out that a man was recently killed while trying to cross I-244 at night. The implication is that with lights people who try to cross interstates on foot will be spared.

First rule: Don't try crossing interstates on foot, day or night. The cars go fast.

Is safety really an issue? Yes. A study by the Transportation Research Board, a division of the National Academies, found that the correct kind of illumination on a highway can reduce traffic accidents. Different studies have different results but the reduction in accidents can go higher than 25 percent in some studies.

And there is an aesthetic value to lighting expressways in metropolitan areas. A city looks good, and prosperous, with the highways lit up. But that comes with a cost.

The mayor and the City Council are trying to trim the budget from $567 million to $561 million. Other cuts and money-saving plans include selling about 220 underutilized vehicles from the city fleet and reducing tree-trimming efforts, the hours of the animal shelter, training, office supplies and the number of cell phones, pagers and Blackberries issued to employees.

Also, the amount of city funding that goes to River Parks, the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency, the Indian Nations Council of Governments and Tulsa Transit is also being scaled back.

Councilors will likely have their own suggestions.

The lights-out proposal will save the city $240,000 this fiscal year. That's not a huge amount of money in a multi-million dollar budget but it shows just how difficult this round of budget trimming is. The mayor said last week that these cuts were getting down to the "marrow."

Would it be better to have all the expressways lit? Of course. But when the budget gets tight, something has to give. So, at least for the time being, be careful out there on those expressways.

And make sure your headlights are in working order.



Mike Jones, 581-8332
mike.jones@tulsaworld.com www.tulsaworld.com/jonesblog


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Tulsa World Reader Comments
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mr.peabody, country side oklahoma (11/1/2009 4:55:17 AM)
It sounds like you are in for alot of these squabbles in the interium Mike. Could get worse before it gets better, hang in there. Sounds like Christensen's assertion is backed up by facts from the Transpotation Research Board, so I'm not sure why you were demeaning him in your piece.

getreal, (11/1/2009 6:53:25 AM)
The simple facts are, the city of Tulsa does not have the money to pay for the lights and all other services. The future is not bright, people have reduced their spending and sales taxes are falling. We will look back on the decision to turn off a few lights as minor compared to what is ahead.

olddude, tulsa (11/1/2009 7:09:39 AM)
I will wait for the first lawsuit,when a car wreck is caused by not lighting the freeways.

tulsan09, Tulsa (11/1/2009 7:25:09 AM)
So olddude, it sounds as though you think we have a "right" to lit highways. There is no such right.

Thunder196, Tulsa (11/1/2009 7:45:52 AM)
Hey Mike, instead of demeaning someone for making safe decisions, thank them. . I'm sure Mike thought his "teasing" of his grandfather was funny. His grandfather knew his limitations and was willing to make a safer decision. Probably the common sense Mike didn't seem to inherit.

Thunder196, Tulsa (11/1/2009 7:58:00 AM)
Since when does safety need to be one of the things to go. We who live around here know the routes, we have a good idea of where exits are to connect to other expressways. Those traveling through town are contending to traffic and trying to make the correct decisions as to where there turn offs are as traveling through. Well lit roads help them do it safely. It's not just their safety, it's everyones safety. Leave the lights on, its not a matter of looking pretty. . Check the fringe benefits closet and see what can be thrown out. I'm sure the amount would be substantial, if they were willing to give up perks.

Ayo, T-Town (11/1/2009 8:07:11 AM)
I remember when Mayor LaFortune turned off the lights on the I-244 going west to Sand Springs. It was probably other places too, but that's the area I remember. I seem to remember someone being killed while crossing that highway. If, and that's a huge if, we had well painted highways with the reflectors I'd be more inclined to go with the lights off. We all know we're lucky to have any paint on the highways. The difference between a city without lights and the Turner Turnpike is the amount of traffic. If they're going to turn off lights then just go all the way and turn off the lights on the residential streets, too. See how well that one goes over.

loo loo, (11/1/2009 8:27:37 AM)
wow dude, you would support the mayor if she started sacrificing baby rabbits to a pagan god. This TW writing is dispicable. The highways go dark while every office in the cube is lit up like a christmas tree. It is the ultimate insult. Explain that one away.

Ayo, T-Town (11/1/2009 9:35:45 AM)
"shouldn't you be focusing on what got us here?" That's your biggest problem. While we should focus on not repeating mistakes, the primary focus is on SOLUTIONS, not blame, not the should of, would of, could of's. Mayor Taylor didn't cause this economic implosion. If you want to focus on what got us here then look no further than your boys Bush, Cheney, Reagan, and their ilk who deregulated banks and Wallstreet for a temporary get rich scheme off of the backs of ordinary Americans.

Trevor Goodchild, Tulsa (11/1/2009 10:01:14 AM)
I would never have thought that the expressways around Tulsa could possibly get any darker or more poorly lit than they are at present.

dinkiecb, Owensboro (11/1/2009 10:02:43 AM)
Having worked for the city I remember the process getting lights turned on on the expressways and in neighborhoods quite well. I keep thinking of all the griping about "turning them off" ... when I was a kid growing up in Tulsa there were lots of places that weren't "lit up". Major intersections and lighted expressway signs should be enough thru these tough times. If you can't see in the dark perhaps you should get home before the sun goes down, or use your headlights. Travelers going thru the city happen with or with out lights on. I've traveled all across the country and Tulsa is pretty lit up at night. Other area's of the country are not. When you get away from the city's anywhere in this country your "in the dark" with out your headlights. I think everyone has gotten to use to having the extra money Tulsa has had over the years to pay for expressway lighting, such as it was because of sections of them being out. If your in the dark..get a flashlight.

Ayo, T-Town (11/1/2009 10:15:14 AM)
skinny, I actually hate the new 'city hall' and believe we would have been better off with the old one. That purchase and move is my biggest bone with Taylor. I also don't want to lose the old Central library. I love the ballpark being downtown, but think she was wrong to tax the downtown businesses to get it. Weren't we at risk of losing the ballteam to Jenks? I don't remember the particulars. Since this is my hood, I like the ballpark downtown and the BOK. I like the positive changes downtown. Love them, in fact. While I would prefer to have lights on the expressways I do beleive many things have will have to be looked at to cut costs. That's one of them. If it were me, I would start with all those mayor's assistant jobs. They are high salary, higher than most cities this size. I think they should be consolidated as probably many are not really needed.

WoodyWayne, (11/1/2009 12:36:34 PM)
PLEASE, PLEASE READ ON to see why offering working on waste in Education and offering Education Employees a better benefit package will benefit Tulsa. Remember, TPS is probably the 2nd largest employer in Tulsa .......... Consolidating public schools should be the first step taken to reduce waste in Education. Then, we should assist Education Employees with the cost of their health insurance. This would be a tremendous step in eliminating redundant administrative costs, and stimulating the economy. When small school districts retire or terminate a superintendent, we should try to consolidate those schools with another district to cut administrative costs statewide. For instance, now would be a good time to consider consolidating Sperry Public Schools with one of the large surrounding public schools. There is no reason to pay another Superintendent to oversee such a small school district, and pay for the additional Administration. The school could still have its identity, keep its same school mascot, but be administered by another Educational Service Center. The next step should be to provide a better benefit package to Education Employees. Most people don't realize that a teacher must pay 3 times more for their family's exact same insurance, than the secretary working in Sandy Garrett's office at the Dept of Education. That is about $1000 dollars out of the teacher's take home pay, or you could say about a $1000 more in the OKC secretary's pay, and more money spent in OKC. (Notice how OKC area is not having the problem with sales tax revenue. That is because there are many state agency jobs in the OKC area, and those employees don't have an extra $600 to $1000 taken out of their pay for the identical benefits given to Education Employees.) Just think about the fact that public schools are typically one of the largest employers in their cities and towns, and for that reason this is even more important in eastern Oklahoma, as we don't have the many state agency jobs. Reducing the cost of Education Employees health coverage would give them more money to spend locally, increase sales tax and state income tax. If we would work on these suggestions, we will stimulate the economy, improve the quality of life for Oklahomans, and reduced wasteful spending in Education. Wow, this just makes too much sense! I hope Education Employees will get organized and help others to understand how this benefits the entire state!

magnumpi28, (11/1/2009 1:47:20 PM)
Woody states: "Then, we should assist Education Employees with the cost of their health insurance. " No Woody, dont you watch the news? Obama is planning on getting affordable insurance to EVERYONE(so that includes education employees) so you are getting what you want(supposedly) its just coming from the federal gov instead of state.

GretaSue, (11/1/2009 3:51:22 PM)
If you can't drive on these roads with just your headlights, then you probably shouldn't be driving anyway. There are Huge signs at exits, painted arrows for turn lanes, little clickers things on the side of the shoulder, If you can't see all that then you need a driver or just stay home. ( Oh yes, people trying to cross a freeway at night are probably running from something, hummm maybe a helicopter would help track them )

Charley, (11/1/2009 3:59:26 PM)
You yeahoos, that simply argue with one another, provide no clue for possibly solving some immediate problems. Temporarily layoff every department head. That should make a difference, surely there is policy & rules in place to effectively run the city until better times, without the bosses. Every employee is mandated to work an extra hour a day (free gratus), to keep the city running. No more free cop cars. All police & fire employees are protected. Pull every contract now held by the city & county, then renegotiate by 10% plus. Be sure to run Kathy off, she wastes more money than can be imagined. If she didn't work (funny-funny) for free, we could start with hers salary... These bad times aren't here 'til Christmas, they are likely to be here for quite a spell...

Elusive, the burbs (11/1/2009 4:15:46 PM)
KT could have saved the City a ton of money without laying off police officers or turning off expressway lights if she laid off several of her overpaid assistants. I-244 is terrible at night with the lights off with it's blacktop road. Not all of us can see as well driving at night. People will not slow down because of the lack of lighting and their will be more accidents.

OCCHICKEE, (11/1/2009 7:43:24 PM)
Turning expressway lights off is the worst idea ever. Wait until the winter ice hits. Has anyone ever hit black ice? Only a lit expressway can help people avoid accidents. Here come the car insurance rate hikes. I think cutting the excessive use of Blackberries is the best idea. Where are the smart thinkers? I'm sure you can come up with something better than turning off the lights on the expressways. Could you imagine Los Angeles doing that???

OCCHICKEE, (11/1/2009 7:46:32 PM)
GretaSue, it's not about being able to see at night while driving. It's the speed limit combined with no lights. It's an extreme risk to take if the lights are cut. Going 30 mph on a dark street compared to going 75 mph is quite a difference.

RGM, Tulsa (11/1/2009 9:30:51 PM)
There are so many unlit sections of highway in Tulsa already, what difference does turning off the lights in the sections that are lit make? Everyone is acting like it's going to be the end of the world. Look at the BA from I-44 on out for example.

Mar, Tulsa (11/1/2009 9:38:55 PM)
At night I'll just drive on city streets, nix the expressways at night. Not that I can't drive safely at night, it's the other idiot drivers I worry about, I don't want them hitting me.

thanks but no thanks, (11/1/2009 10:10:50 PM)
All very embarrassing. Over 12 months notice revenues will decline and only after revenues decline are efforts underway to decrease spending? The biweekly budget cuts are all very embarassing.

Ron Ballew, Lawton (11/1/2009 10:17:49 PM)
If the city is out of money than no one should object to capping all city employee salaries and bonuses at $100,000 a year, or to laying off all the Mayor's assistants except one secretary.

dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (11/2/2009 8:10:13 AM)
I've never seen interstates as dark in a city area as they are in Tulsa. And I've been in something like 38 states. Now they're getting darker. Is City Hall going dark after hours? I mean the lights. The rest has been dark for sometime.

Jolie2, (11/2/2009 10:57:02 AM)
If you look at a map of traffic fatalities in Tulsa for 2008, you will see that the vast majority of them occurred on the expressways. Take a look for yourself at: city-data dot com / accidents / acc-Tulsa-Oklahoma dot html Why would you want to add to the risk by turning more lights off? It's the unexpected things that happen or bad weather with poor visibility or someone parked on the side of the highway that the expressway lights are useful for. I hope that whoever is making these cost-saving decisions has trimmed costs in all other areas before they started cutting in areas that affect public safety.


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