Throwback Thursday

January 1959

This is a KDOT snowplow from 1959.  While our equipment has changed through the years, our crews commitment to serving Kansans remains the same.

 

Wednesday's Words

What does the Foxx say?

Anthony Foxx

“We’re trying to help create a 21st century context for decision makers at every level,” U.S. DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “Part of our responsibility is helping us think with our heads, and not just with our hearts, about where investments will give us the best return on value."

This is a quote from Secretary Foxx’s recent interview with the Associated Press.  Foxx spoke on a variety of topics—most notably he shared his optimism for Congress to help shore up funding to the federal Highway Trust Fund, which has been in danger of insolvency for years.

Click here to read the full interview.

Wednesday’s Words is a feature designed to recognize key quotes relevant to transportation.

Help us improve cycling and walking along Kansas Byways

If you’ve ever thought there just are not enough scenic places to ride a bike in Kansas or that some of the existing routes could be improved, KDOT needs your help. 

KDOT, the Kansas Byways Program and a consultant team led by CFS Engineers of Topeka and RDG Planning & Design of Omaha are developing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for the Kansas Byways System. This plan will include ideas for improving the user experience of the state’s eleven scenic and historic byways.

In an effort to gain Kansans input, a short, online survey is being administered.  This input will be critical for developing a plan that improves cycling and walking on scenic byways in Kansas.

Please click here to take the survey.

Five for Friday with the Gateway Project Director

Burt Morey at the Gateway Project site.

Today is an exciting day as it’s the launch of a new feature we like to call “Five for Friday” where we pose five questions to a key transportation stakeholder.  Today’s feature is on KDOT’s own, Burt Morey, who serves as the project director for the Johnson County Gateway Project.

What is the Johnson County Gateway Project?

“It’s an improvement of the I-435/I-35/K-10 interchange in Johnson County.  More than 230,000 travel through this interchange daily making it one of the most congested areas in the state.  And it’s expected to grow to over 380,000 by 2040, which is why improvements are needed.”

What is unique about this project?

“This is the first-ever design build project in Kansas.  The Kansas Legislature has authorized KDOT to complete one highway project by using this alternative delivery tool.  Traditionally separate contracts are issued for the design and for the construction of a project. With a design-build project, a single contract is issued for both design and construction of the project.”

What’s the benefit of design-build?

“The benefit of this approach is that you combine the skills of designers and contractors at a project’s onset, which can result in faster project delivery, more efficient use of materials and resources.”

Who’s going to build the Gateway Project and how much will it cost?

“On Jan. 10, we selected Gateway Interchange Constructors to build the project for $288 million.  GIC is a joint venture led by Kansas City, Mo.-based Clarkson Construction Co. They are partnered with Kiewit Infrastructure Co., which has national design-build experience on large scale projects such as T-REX in Denver. “

Given the size of this project and that it’s the first-ever design build project, that must make for a pretty extensive process to get this underway.  How do you think it’s going so far?

“It’s going very well.  We put together a great team to oversee the development of this project.  Everyone has been very supportive and has worked together well.  We’re pleased that we’ve been able to meet all of our deadlines and keep this project right on schedule.  I’m confident that we’ll continue to be successful as we enter the next phase of the process.”

The Gateway Project is scheduled to be completed in 2017.  You can keep track of how progress is going with the Gateway Project by visiting the project website at jocogateway.com

Built for the Growth of Kansas

KDOT Secretary Mike King

As the 2014 legislative session slowly ramps up in the beautifully-renovated Statehouse, I want to briefly tell you about some of the exciting things going in Kansas transportation. Some of you know my three priorities as Secretary are safety, economic development and completion of the T-WORKS transportation program. So I will talk about each in that order.

Safety

In 2013, Kansas recorded a record low number of fatalities. While that’s certainly a positive, it’s no consolation for the devastated families and friends of the 349 people who lost their lives. Reducing that number to zero is my top priority and at the core of everything we do at KDOT. We will continue to design safety into every road project and educate Kansans as to how they can protect themselves and their loved ones every time they get into a car or truck.

Economic development

KDOT projects pay dividends in the short-term and, literally, lay the groundwork for future economic success. We see that in the large, multi-year K-18 expansion project between Ogden and Manhattan that opened a few months ago. It provides the infrastructure to support the growth of Fort Riley, the future NBAF facility, Kansas State University and the Manhattan airport. And during construction, more than 170 businesses got work, injecting money from paychecks into local grocery stores, gas stations and hundreds more businesses.

While few projects have the huge economic benefit of a K-18, much smaller KDOT investments also make it possible for businesses to expand and add employees. McCarty Family Farms in Northwest Kansas and the Newell Rubbermaid plant in Cowley County are just two businesses that have been able to expand and add jobs because of KDOT-funded projects that improve transportation accessibility.

T-WORKS

I’m thrilled to report that we are in the biggest construction years of the T-WORKS program right now, and we are on track to deliver the program. The long-awaited $130 million South Lawrence Trafficway is finally under way! The design-build construction of the $288 million Johnson County Gateway project (I-435/I-35/K-10) starts in a few months. And this spring, the East Kellogg freeway expansion in Wichita will be under construction. Since T-WORKS got under way in 2010, much has been accomplished. Here are a few numbers:  

•       943 highway projects completed

•       7,567 miles improved

•       436 bridges repaired/replaced

•       $2.1 billion let to construction

Partnership

Finally, I’m very pleased to tell you that since the 2013 Legislature formalized the partnership between KDOT and the Kansas Turnpike Authority, innovation teams of staff from both agencies have identified more than $17 million in savings through shared resources, project coordination, co-location and more. We have conducted a Business Roundtable, hosted the first Kansas Transportation Summit and are organizing a freight advisory committee. We will continue to be creative and innovative as we build and maintain a transportation system that is world class. Together, we are one voice for Kansas transportation. And together, we have forged a partnership that is built for the growth of Kansas.

Thank you.

Transportation Secretary Mike King