Transportation Secretary named to two prestigious national boards

Kansas Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz
was appointed to the Executive Committee of the
Transportation Research Board and will chair
a national Aviation Board. 

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board and will chair a national Aviation Board.

Lorenz recently was asked to join the Executive Committee of the prestigious Transportation Research Board (TRB) to provide leadership in transportation innovation and progress through research and information exchange that is objective, interdisciplinary and multi-modal.

“This invitation is extended upon the recommendation of the Chairman and the Executive Director of the Transportation Research Board, and with my approval,” said Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences and chair of the National Research Council.

The TRB is an integral part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The institution, which Congress established in 1863, is a nonprofit, charitable scientific corporation organized and operated to serve public rather than private interests.

“Secretary Lorenz’s selection to these esteemed industry trade roles is recognition of her national expertise and leadership on transportation issues. She brings a wealth of knowledge and transportation experience to these important committees,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “Not only will she represent our state’s transportation and aviation industry well, she’ll also be a key contributor to efforts that help the entire transportation sector move forward.”

Lorenz also was selected to chair the Council on Aviation for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). AASHTO will assess and recommend policies related to aviation legislation and regulation. This organization works jointly with the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) to recommend aviation policy.

“The importance of aviation policy is increasing as we enter an era of unprecedented growth of integrated manned and unmanned operations across our national airspace,” said Secretary Lorenz. “Active leadership in this space will ensure Kansas stakeholders in the aviation industry are fully represented.”

KDOT announces Kansas airport improvement projects

Topeka – Forty-one projects totaling a combined award of $5 million have been granted for the Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for planning, constructing or rehabilitating public use general aviation airports.

The aviation industry represents $20.6 billion economic impact and employs more than 92,000 Kansans. In addition, 94 percent of the state’s population is within 30 minutes of air ambulance operations.

“We are proud of the collaboration between our department and airport sponsors to increase safety, enhance economic development and support the transportation needs of Kansans,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz.

The KAIP program requires airport sponsors to share in project costs by paying a portion of the total project. The KDOT Division of Aviation, which manages the program, considered 119 project applications this year with a combined total value of more than $29 million. 

“KAIP has not only funded key improvements at local airports, it has helped create a statewide aviation network that enhances both the health and economic wellbeing of the entire state,” said Bob Brock, KDOT Director of Aviation.  

Communities selected for funding and the amount requested include:

Anthony – Airports Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) survey and flight check – $52,250

Atchison – Surface seal of runway – $56,925

Atwood – Update fuel card reader – $17,000

Augusta – Reconstruct apron access to community hangar – $76,500

Beloit – Airfield maintenance equipment – $16,250

Benton – 17/35 runway preservation – $321,867

Elkhart – Airports Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) Study – $76,000

Emporia – 1/19 runway sealcoat and preservation –$411,500

Fort Scott – Airports Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) updates and runway extension design – $152,000

Gardner – 8/26 runway/apron/taxilane pavement preservation – $90,000

Garnett – 1/19 runway seal and repair high severity cracks – $40,500

Hiawatha – 10/28 runway edge lighting design – $19,000; 17/35 runway edge lighting design – $19,000; taxilane renovation design and construction – $61,890

Hoxie – Phase II: runway rehab – $303,440

Independence – South apron runup area renovation – $721,500; fuel systems – $36,335

Kingman – Precision approach path indicator (PAPI) replacement – $182,963

Kinsley – construct tiedowns – $10,949

La Crosse – Operations support equipment – $45,000

Lakin – Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) III – $176,250; 14/32 runway mill and overlay design and construction – $303,250

Liberal – Runway marking removal and replacement – $248,500

Oberlin – Height and hazard survey – $38,000

Ottawa – Pavement preservation on parallel and connection taxiway system – $173,250

Pittsburg –Replace Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) ceilometer –$43,200; remove obstructing trees – $18,000

Quinter – Install Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) III – $135,000

Rose Hill – Crack seal– $16,200; upgrade fuel credit card terminal – $14,875; mill and overlay runway 17/35 – $174,600

Salina – Phase II: ramp reconstruction – $720,000

St. Francis – Extend SE taxiway – $133,200