Richard Carlson
will depart the Kansas Department of Transportation this week. Carlson has
served as the Secretary of Transportation since July 2016.
A St. Marys
native, Carlson first became involved in politics through his work as a
Pottawatomie County Commissioner, a position he held for 12 years before being
elected to the state legislature. He then served in the Kansas House of
Representatives for 10 years, representing the 61st District of Pottawatomie
County and northern Wabaunsee County. In addition to his work as Chairman of
the House Taxation Committee for six years, Carlson was also a member of the
Appropriations Committee and Commerce and Labor Committee. He later served as
the Legislative Liaison and Tax Policy Adviser for the Kansas Department of
Revenue from December 2014 until his transportation appointment.
During his time
as KDOT’s Transportation Secretary, several projects have reached completion.
Here are a few
highlights:
Aerial view of a portion of the Johnson County Gateway |
Johnson
County Gateway Phase 2: This $288 million project is a vital
economic corridor for the region and for Kansas. The project consisted of reconstruction and capacity
improvements within the I-435, I-35 and K-10 interchange area, along with improvements
at several major local interchanges. Within the project area, there were 56 new
lane miles added as well as 22 new and five rehabilitated bridges, including
three new two-lane flyover bridge ramps and widened bridges on I-435 and I-35. The conclusion of the project took place in
December 2016.
The South Lawrence Trafficway is a four-lane, six-mile free way. |
South Lawrence Trafficway: After more than two decades of
planning, and construction, the South Lawrence Trafficway opened to travelers
in November 2016. The four-lane, six-mile freeway provides an important
connection for Douglas, Johnson and Shawnee counties. Travelers have
experienced traffic congestion relief and a reduction of travel time. The
project also impacted the environment in a positive way. Although KDOT used
approximately 58 acres of wetlands, a mitigation package expanded the original
wetland area and restored 317 acres of wetlands, 37 acres of upland prairie and
16 acres of riparian habitats.
Two transload facilities were opened in 2017. Photo credit by Brandon Stelnert. |
Two transload facilities in Great Bend
and Garden City: In 2017
KDOT celebrated the opening of two transload facilities in Kansas. These facilities
are designed to increase opportunities for freight shipping and provide cost effective
ways to improve state infrastructure and benefit the communities where they are
located.
Three major construction projects along U.S. 54 were continued or initiated during Sec. Carlson's tenure. |
Progress on projects in Wichita: Three major construction projects along
U.S. 54, the main east-west highway through Wichita, continued or were
initiated during Sec. Carlson’s tenure. The first phase of the interchange
reconstruction of I-235 and U.S. 54 has nearly finished and includes seven new
bridges, two new flyover ramps, auxiliary lanes on I-235 and many other safety
and transportation efficiency improvements.
Extension of
the U.S. 54 freeway in east Wichita is also advancing. Two projects from Webb
Road to the interchange with K-96 extends the six-lane freeway three miles,
adds new interchanges at Webb and Greenwich roads and includes open road tolling on
new entrances and exits of the Kansas Turnpike. These two projects are the
result of an enhanced KDOT partnership with the City of Wichita and the Kansas
Turnpike Authority.
The TPIMS system was deployed last week and will help professional drivers locate real-time parking availability easier and safer. |
Truck Parking Information Management
System: KDOT deployed
the TPIMS, which is designed to help professional drivers locate real-time
parking availability easier and safer. This regional project exists because of
the partnership between eight participating states. Drivers will receive availability
information through dynamic message signs, smartphone applications, in-cab technology
and traveler information websites.
Division of Innovative Technologies: KDOT created a Division of Innovative
Technologies in fall 2017 to propel Kansas into the future. It will also work
to bring innovative technologies that relate to transportation, management and
data to the state.
These are just
a few of the many accomplishments Carlson has helped KDOT achieve and we would
like to thank him for leading the agency for the past two and a half years.
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