What's happening in Kansas Transportation?

Summer is busy time for everyone and in case you haven’t been able to keep track of the latest Kansas transportation news here’s a quick recap of recent announcements.

Kansas Aviation Expo will be Sept. 22-26.

 After a successful inaugural event last year, state aviation officials are gearing up and partnering with the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education to host the 2nd Annual Kansas Aviation Expo, Sept. 22-26. This year’s Expo will feature a week’s worth of events, including the Fly Kansas Air Tour, two around-the-world pilots and business seminars.  More information about the Expo including the tour stops and list of speakers can be found here.

20 Transportation Alternatives projects selected.

KDOT received 43 applicants from local units of government for funding through the Transportation Alternatives program and announced the 20 projects that were selected on Tuesday. Transportation Alternatives projects under this federal program include facilities for pedestrians and bicycles; rehabilitation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas; conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails; community improvement activities such as downtown streetscape enhancements and the control or removal of outdoor advertising. Total cost for the 20 selected projects is $11.5 million. A minimum of 20 percent of the project cost must come from the applicant.  To see the list of projects selected click here.

Traffic fatalities are higher than last year in Kansas.

From January through June in 2013, there were 153 traffic Fatalities in Kansas.  This year there have been 184—or 31 more in the same time period.  However, 2014 still falls below the 5-year average of 187 for same time frame.  More motorcycle and pedestrian deaths are one of the key reasons the numbers are higher in 2014 than last year.  Read more about this troubling trend here.