5/29/26 – Approximately 50 Owasso residents attended a public meeting Thursday evening to learn more about the City of Owasso’s planned improvements along 96th Street North between Mingo Road and Garnett Road.
One of the most discussed aspects of the project is the proposed roundabout that will replace the traditional intersection at 96th Street and Mingo Road. City officials acknowledged that some drivers may feel intimidated by roundabouts if they have not used them before, but they emphasized the significant safety benefits these intersections provide.
According to information presented during the meeting, roundabouts can reduce overall crashes by 37%, decrease injury crashes by 75%, and reduce fatal crashes by as much as 90% when compared to traditional intersections. They also reduce pedestrian-related accidents by approximately 40%.
The overall project includes widening 96th Street North into a three-lane roadway with one travel lane in each direction and a center turn lane or median section. Plans also call for improved pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, including five-foot bike lanes with two-foot buffers, sidewalks on both sides of the roadway (one 8′ and one 5″), and curb-and-gutter drainage improvements with storm drains.
Residents who expressed concerns about adding another major road project while other roadway improvements remain unfinished were assured that additional projects are also moving forward. Utility relocations for the 96th Street project are expected to begin in late summer or early fall, with construction anticipated to be completed by mid- to late-2028.
Bailey Elementary School, which is located along the project corridor, is also working with the City of Owasso on traffic improvements. Current plans include relocating the school’s pickup and drop-off operations to the rear of the building, helping reduce congestion along 96th Street and improving traffic flow during peak school hours.
While the project will undoubtedly bring additional road construction and temporary inconveniences for drivers who regularly travel the corridor, city officials stressed that the long-term benefits will include improved safety, better traffic flow, enhanced pedestrian access, and expanded bicycle accommodations.
As Owasso continues to grow, city leaders believe these improvements will help meet future transportation needs while creating a safer and more efficient roadway for residents, students, and visitors alike.
