Improvements planned for roads by tribal casinos

Thursday, December 17, 2009  

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is planning to make improvements along a highway where accidents have tripled since the opening of three tribal casinos.

The Kaw Nation, the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Tonkawa Tribe operate casinos along US 77, near the Kansas border. The Winfield Daily Courier said accidents have tripled since 2006.

According to the paper, there are no turn lanes, no acceleration lanes and no stoplights or access roads at the intersection where the casinos are located. The state has added flashing yellow warning lights to inform motorists of the traffic but other changes, including new construction and a potential lowering of the speed limit, are in the works.

“Our position is that the tribes need to participate in the cost of these things,because if it (weren’t) for their business, they wouldn’t be needed," ODOT traffic engineer Bill Walton told the paper.

Tribal leaders contacted by the paper didn't say whether they would help fund any projects.

Get the Story:
Improvements down the road (The Winfield Daily Courier 12/16)

Part One:
Paper cites increase in accidents by tribal casinos (12/16)