Quicker commute ahead? What we know about plans for a commuter rail connecting OKC, Edmond & Norman.

The Regional Transportation Authority said on Tuesday that it is in the final planning stages for a new commuter rail line that would connect Norman, Oklahoma City, and Edmond. 

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded the RTA a $500,000 grant to study 52 metro railroad crossings for efficacy and improvements. When the study is complete, plans for the commuter rail can move forward, one spokesperson told News 9. 

“We're now the 20th largest city in a continuing-to-grow region. We have to be able to plan for the future and when you look at major metropolitan areas that really have got the future figured out, they have good transportation infrastructure,” said Jason Ferbrache, Interim Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Authority. 

The Regional Transportation Authority said it believes a commuter rail between Norman, OKC, and Edmond is the answer to a growing population. 

“Although we talk a lot about the commuter rail-- 38 miles of commuter rail connecting Edmond, OKC and Norman, the RTA has envisioned even additional high-capacity transit. One of those high-capacity transit lines rail connecting downtown Oklahoma City to the airport,” Ferbrache stated. 

Before any of that can happen, however, the RTA said it must study existing railroad crossings. 

“Some of those railroad crossings have traffic counts of more than 10,000 cars a day and so those are areas we want to take a really good look at,” he continued. 

With the grant, “We'll be able to study those railroad crossings, be able to identify which ones we might be able to provide grade separation, which ones might need some safety enhancements; which ones-- in some cases-- may be up for closure.” 

Ferbrache added, “Within the next 12 months, voters are going to be much more informed about the RTA; about the commuter rail, and then, asked to vote for funding such a transformative project for our region.” 

The RTA confirmed it does not anticipate a sales tax election this year, but will continue working with member cities to pick a 2026 election date.