Hochatown Residents Take Action to Improve Walkability on US-259
November 26, 2024 – Hochatown, OK
A group of over 25 local stakeholders—residents, business owners, landowners, public health advocates, engineers, and elected officials—joined forces for a walk audit of the US-259 corridor in Hochatown to identify ways to make the growing area safer and more walkable.
Organized by AARP and the Southeastern Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SERTPO), the audit took a unique form: participants were shuttled along a 2.1-mile stretch from Carson Creek Road to SH-259A, stopping at key locations to walk, observe, and share ideas for pedestrian-friendly improvements.
This stretch, fondly nicknamed the “Golden” or “Magic” Mile, is seen as the future downtown of Hochatown—a space full of economic potential and community energy. To harness this momentum, participants recommended:
Installing sidewalks on both sides of US-259 in high-traffic zones
Adding protected pedestrian crossings and HAWK beacons
Reducing speed limits, especially in pedestrian-heavy areas
Developing multi-use trails along the power line right-of-way
Creating a trailhead network and bike park on East Government Mountain
Enhancing the area’s identity through uniform signage and night-sky friendly lighting
Building infrastructure that anticipates future Town Hall and business growth
The audit findings reflect strong local desire for walkability that supports health, safety, tourism, and economic development.
📄 Download the full Hochatown Walk Audit Summary (PDF):
👉 Hochatown_Walking_Audit_Summary.pdf
🌐 View more walkability studies and audits at:
👉 sertpo.org/community-walk-assessments
