By Associated Press
Tulsa, Okla. – TULSA, Okla. (AP) A key Oklahoma Department of Transportation official says the state still is pursuing funds for proposed high-speed rail routes, even though it got nothing from the federal government during a recent competition for billions in rail construction money.
The Tulsa World reports from its Washington bureau that David Streb, ODOT's director of engineering, says Oklahoma has made several applications in hopes of landing smaller grants for high-speed rail planning.
Streb says one of the applications focuses on a proposed route linking Oklahoma City and Tulsa. He says that grant would provide $3 million to conduct environmental-impact and service-development studies.
He says another application is seeking $500,000 to develop a state rail plan. Oklahoma also is a co-applicant with Texas for an $8 million grant to fund studies on rail routes between Oklahoma City and Texas.