Public invited to Transit Day at the Capitol on Feb. 27

The public is invited to attend the annual Transit Day at the Capitol in Topeka from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 27. 

It is hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Public Transit Association.

Meet the state’s service providers, tour new transit and para-transit vehicles, learn how transit reinforces economic development in the state and find out more about new technologies being used. 

The free event will include display tables in the first-floor rotunda and vehicles available to tour outside on the apron surrounding the capitol. A briefing on public transportation in Kansas will take place at 10 a.m. that day in the first-floor rotunda area.

Speakers will include:

• KDOT Division of Planning and Development Director Chris Herrick,
• House Transportation Chair Rep. Richard Proehl,
• Senate Transportation Chair Sen. Mike Petersen,
• Anne Smith, Chair of the Kansas Public Transit Association.

The event highlights the work that more than 150 different agencies from across the state do to provide transit and para-transit services to people across Kansas.

“Public transit is here for all – rural, urban, young and old alike. It supports the local economy and gives access to jobs and healthcare,” said KDOT Public Transit Manager Mike Spadafore. “Transit Day will give everyone the opportunity to learn about transit and para-transit services in Kansas and our goal of keeping the people of Kansas living in and connected to their communities for as long as possible.”

Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force – Kansas City meeting

Approximately 125 people gathered in Kansas City for the second Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force yesterday, including legislators, industry leaders, local government representatives, and stakeholder advocates.

Kansas is Beachfront Property – Since the beginning of T-WORKS, we’ve emphasized the importance of our state’s central location as a natural advantage in logistics markets. Within one day and 5 miles of the task force meeting, Overstock.com announced it is filling a distribution center in the Turner district and will employee 100 people. Our geographic advantage is vital for business, as more and more companies move distribution centers to Kansas, and transportation infrastructure will be a key component of future economic development.   

Business supports transportation investments – Joe Reardon, CEO, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce addressed the Task Force on behalf of businesses in Kansas City, telling the Task Force nothing affects economic opportunity and quality of life more than transportation.  His briefing emphasized the vital role transportation plays in the state and regional economy and he told the Task Force the Kansas City business community supports funding for transportation.

Opportunities and Impacts. KDOT presented information on demographic and economic trends along with information on aviation, transit and bike/pedestrian modes. Even as Kansas becomes more urban, rural residents depend on quality transportation options to access specialized and urgent care that may be miles from their homes. As the state’s population continues to age and technology like automated and connected vehicles continues to develop, how to adapt the state’s infrastructure and programs must be considered. Whether it’s a potential increase in demand for transit, the need for improved signs and pavement markings or new revenue sources, our transportation system and programs will need to adapt in the future.

Local Testimony Highlights Importance of Transportation Options. The Task Force heard about many ways that transportation is important to Kansans:  regional transit agencies help Kansans get to work on time and to medical appointments, a private citizen talked about the importance of improving the safety of an intersection to reduce traffic collisions, and bike and pedestrian advocates outlined the need for additional funding to increase safety and infrastructure availability for a mode that is seeing increased use around the state. Other stakeholders shared the importance of improving transportation infrastructure to drive economic growth.

The next meeting will be at Pittsburg State University on Sept. 20. Topics include projected transportation needs and funding and financing approaches in Kansas. The Task Force will also look at system conditions and the approach to funding and finance in other states.

The public is encouraged to attend a meeting and provide public testimony about why transportation is important to you, what’s working well and what could be improved.

Future meetings will discuss transportation modes in more detail:

• Freight / freight rail / passenger rail – Newton, Oct. 4 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
• Aviation / transit / and bike/pedestrian – Wichita, Oct. 18 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Presentations from the meeting, information about future meetings, and instructions for providing testimony can be found on the Kansas Legislature website.  

New projects announced for U.S. 69 and K-99

Kansas is an important state. We grow and raise food that feeds the world and more than $600 million worth of freight moves across our state every day. Parts of the state are seeing an increase in traffic volumes and the need for economic development have also made it obvious that infrastructure updates are needed.

Those who live and travel in Kansas are about to see some improvements to U.S. 69 and K-99. And although these highways are in different parts of the state, the updates will provide crucial benefits.

Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. announces U.S. 69 improvements in Crawford County. 

U.S. 69 in Crawford County

Two U.S. 69 projects were announced yesterday, and they are in the Crawford County Corridor. A combined $57.4 million will expand 11.5 miles of U.S. 69 to a 4-lane upgradable expressway for those who travel out of Pittsburg north to the Bourbon County Line. Studies have shown a nearly consistent growth in vehicle traffic and a steady increase is projected. This expressway will increase capacity and support economic development in the area while relieving traffic density concerns around the community of Pittsburg.  

It is thanks to the legislature’s commitment to modernizing and expanding transportation infrastructure across the state that both delayed T-WORKS projects are now moving forward.

The estimated letting date for the southern section is Fall 2019 and Fall 2020 for the northern section. KDOT is currently acquiring right of way for this project.

Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. announces K-99 improvements at the Caterpillar facility in Wamego.

K-99 Wamego Project

Another project announced yesterday was the K-99 Wamego Project. The city of Wamego, Caterpillar and KDOT have worked together for more than eight years to support the economic development of the area through joint solutions to address an immediate need to route commercial traffic to an improved bypass. KDOT will provide $3.5 million of the $8 million that will help the county sustain its economic growth and improve the quality of life for the residents of Wabaunsee County.

Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson and Governor Colyer discuss the K-99 project with locals. 

A segment of K-99 between Wamego and I-70 has been identified for improvements. This section of road will be straightened out and flattened to meet current design standards. Wider shoulders will also be added. The combined improvements will create better stopping distance and help drivers see farther away. This project is nearly four miles long and it will cost around $18.8 million to complete.

These projects are a perfect example of KDOT working with locals to improve our great state.

Kansas officials tour the Caterpillar facility as seen through this photo of a mirror from one of the Caterpillar machines. 

This project is expected to let in Fall 2020 and will last 18 months. KDOT will begin acquiring right of way later this summer.