Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lawton public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues in roads
Rogers Lane lighting improvements
TLS Group won the $1.49 million contract to install lighting along Rogers Lane — a street safety improvement for drivers and nearby residents.
Gore Boulevard Traffic Signal Improvements
Ten of eleven signals along Gore Boulevard have been converted, and a $494,000 LMPO grant can now fund full traffic activation (Phase 3), which studies show could cut travel times by about 40 percent. Council members relayed constituent frustration with flashing yellow arrows and desynchronized lights.
Traffic calming on NW Oak and NW 35th
Speed cushions are coming to NW Pershing Drive after a neighbor documented speeding, killed waterfowl, and pedestrian risk near the park and fishing area.
Neighborhood Traffic Control Measures
Stop signs near the Chick-fil-A access road and Stone Ridge Apartments, plus radar speed signs on NW Ozmun and SE Aberdeen Avenue, were on the consent agenda after committee recommendation.
Phase 4 Citywide Street Resurfacing
The council was scheduled to award a $7.85 million contract to T&G Construction for Phase 4 of the pavement rehabilitation project, funded from the 2019 Capital Improvement Fund. Street conditions across Lawton could improve once work begins.
ADA compliance and LATS bus conditions
Advocate Rocco Banaki told the council the city's buses are falling apart — one friend was stranded in 100-degree heat — and urged creation of a commission on persons with disabilities.
Citywide road safety study grant
A $400,000 federal Safe Streets for All grant will fund a year-long study of every intersection in Lawton. Once the plan is adopted, the city can compete for major federal and state dollars to actually fix dangerous roads.
LATS Transfer Center site purchase
The city is buying the current LATS headquarters property to build a new transit transfer center and give police evidence storage room to expand. It's the first concrete step in relocating LATS.
SW Lee/SW 13th traffic signal retention
Staff said traffic counts no longer justify the signal and wanted it removed, but wheelchair users and Goodwill Village residents rely on it to cross to businesses. Council kept it anyway, 8-0.
South Lawton infrastructure and equity gap
The needs assessment found residents want basics — safe roads, working drainage, secure housing — more than flashy new development, with South Lawton and Lawton View flagged for targeted upgrades.
Bridge improvement program
Eleven bridges from the 2023 bond program's Project B remain to be addressed. The Council was asked whether bundling them into one contract could attract more bidders and cut costs.
Goodyear Boulevard Phase 2 reconstruction
A Resolution of Necessity lets the city acquire property needed to rebuild Goodyear Boulevard from Lee Boulevard to the railroad.
Airport investment via FAA grants
Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport landed three federal grants: $4.7M for the terminal, $534K for rubber removal and remarking, and $76K for a runway safety study.
Sidewalk accessibility gaps
A resident who walks to medical appointments described missing and broken sidewalks on Gore Boulevard, 17th, Sheridan, Ferris and Lee, forcing him into the street facing traffic. He asked the city to fix the gaps for everyone who can't safely use those routes.
Streets and Development Committee established
A new permanent committee replaces the ad hoc streets committee and absorbs Traffic Commission and Engineering Selection Committee duties — meant to fix quorum problems and streamline how street and engineering projects get reviewed.
Citywide road rehabilitation
Three contracts totaling about $7.5 million were awarded for citywide road rehabilitation — good news for drivers dealing with rough streets. Work was also reported progressing on Southwest 38th Street with curb and gutter installation.
Safe Streets federal planning grant
The City won a $500,000 federal grant to study unsafe intersections and streets citywide, positioning Lawton for future implementation money to fix dangerous roads.