Economic Impact of Interstate and Defense Highway 35 on Blackwell, Oklahoma

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Economic Impact of Interstate and Defense Highway 35 on Blackwell, Oklahoma

A. H. Christensen / B. C. Hartronft

The report shows the effects of Interstate 35 on Blackwell, Oklahoma, and compares it with Woodward, Oklahoma, the control city, which is not on Interstate Highway 35. Prior to the construction of Interstate 35, traffic flowed through the heart of the town and a portion of its residential areas. Interstate 35 in its entirety was opened from Wichita, Kansas, to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on January 11, 1963. This separated the local traffic in Blackwell from the through travelers. This interim report is a summary of the immediate trends over a 48 month period; 1961-1962 being the 'before' period and 1963-1964 being the 'after' period. In several ways, this Oklahoma study combines the features of many similar studies done in the past. The findings also are similar to findings from other similar studies--that bypassed businesses did not suffer, that transient type businesses depend on local trade more than is realized, and that traffic congestion was alleviated, etc. The variety of economic, social, and other indicators used included population, land use, employment and wages, sales tax data, gallonages pumped, opinions, educational levels, postal receipts, building permits issued, etc. (Author)