Pedestrian Awareness Crosswalk Education
PACE TULSA Formal request for action to the City Council of Tulsa, Oklahoma, concerning the ongoing multi-modal infrastructure improvements on East 91st Street and the critical sidewalk infill projects on South Mingo Road.
The objective of this resolution is to ensure that these projects adhere to the federal Safe System Approach by prioritizing the safety and accessibility of vulnerable road users, particularly individuals with disabilities and residents of the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled.
The City of Tulsa has initiated the widening of East 91st Street between Memorial Drive and South Mingo Road through Project No. 170065-A.
This project represents a significant investment of approximately $12.8 million from the Improve Our Tulsa sales tax program and aims to transform the corridor into a five-lane arterial with enhanced storm drainage, new traffic signals, and the inclusion of sidewalks and bike lanes.
While the expansion of vehicle capacity is a primary driver of this engineering effort, the Safe System Approach requires that the design also minimize the risk of serious injury or fatality for pedestrians and cyclists through physical separation and speed management.
Concurrent with the widening of 91st Street, the city has allocated $500,000 for the South Mingo Road sidewalk project between East 81st Street and East 91st Street.
This initiative is designed to address hazardous gaps in the existing pedestrian network that frequently force residents into the path of high-speed traffic.
Data from community-led walk-audits confirm that these gaps represent a significant barrier to independence for wheelchair users.
To align these efforts with the national “Safe Streets and Roads for All” standards, it is essential that the engineering designs for these sidewalks exceed minimum requirements and ensure seamless connectivity to the Mingo Trail.
The findings from the December 2025 assessment indicate specific areas where engineering adjustments are necessary to fulfill the promise of a safer transportation network.
Specifically, the intersection of 91st Street and Mingo Road requires the implementation of “Leading Pedestrian Intervals” in its signal timing to reduce conflicts between turning vehicles and crossing pedestrians.
Furthermore, the ongoing construction on 91st Street necessitates more “robust and clear ADA-compliant detour signage” to maintain a predictable path for those with visual or mobility impairments.
It is therefore requested that the City of Tulsa Public Works Department incorporate these localized safety countermeasures into the active project scope for 2026.
This includes a commitment to verifying that the “sidewalk infill on Mingo Road provides a minimum five-foot clear passage at all points to allow for universal accessibility.” Furthermore, it is requested that “the city provide a public update on the inclusion of these safety features in the upcoming January 14, 2026, Public Works Committee meeting” to ensure transparent communication with the impacted neighborhood associations and advocacy groups.
The successful implementation of these measures will move Tulsa closer to its goal of eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries.
By prioritizing the most vulnerable users in the design and construction of the 91st Street and Mingo Road corridors, the City of Tulsa demonstrates its commitment to a modern, equitable, and truly safe transportation system for all citizens.
(PACE TULSA, Pedestrian Awareness Crosswalk Education, is measuring their work against national civil rights and safety standards.)
PACE TULSA 