OKC mayor says rail will ease traffic. Transportation experts disagree.

OCPA Ray Carter October 8, 2026

In his recent “State of the City” address, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt called for construction of a 39-mile passenger rail system running from Edmond to downtown Oklahoma City to Norman. A key reason to support the project, which is expected to cost as much as $1.8 billion and require a sales-tax increase, is that it will reduce traffic jams on area highways, Holt said.

“Collectively, this plan will preserve our quality of life by alleviating traffic congestion, it will preserve the mobility necessary to keep our economy strong and growing, and it will spur commercial development, among other benefits,” Holt said.

But transportation experts say that’s not the case.

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