2017 National Work Zone Awareness Week

Starting Monday, April 3 and running to Friday, April 7, new blogs will be posted each day as part of our National Work Zone Awareness Week series. Highway workers, contractors and law enforcement will share stories highlighting why work zone safety is so important.

Thanks for reading and sharing these blogs to help improve safety in work zones.

KDOT announces Kansas airport improvement projects

Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson announces KAIP grant recipients at KSU Polytechnic Campus at Salina Municipal Airport. 

Topeka – Twenty-six airports have been selected for Kansas Airport Improvement Program
funding to repair or improve facilities and enhance air ambulance access.

The projects selected for this Kansas Department of Transportation program will receive a combined total of just over $4 million in fiscal year 2018. KAIP requires airport sponsors to share in the project costs by paying a minimum of five percent of the total project costs up to a maximum of 50 percent, depending on project category (such as modernization, equipment, design, and preservation). The combined total value of the approved projects is estimated at $4.45 million.

Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson selected the new KAIP projects to improve airports in the State of Kansas. “These projects will help us make critical air services available to more Kansans all across the state,” said Secretary Carlson. “Improvements currently underway at rural airports will help ensure that 93 percent of our population has air ambulance access.”

KAIP receives $5 million annually through the T-WORKS transportation program. KDOT’s Division of Aviation, which manages the program, considered 123 applications for projects totaling $31.7 million.

“The aviation industry and general aviation are key economic engines in the State of Kansas,” pointed out KDOT Director of Aviation, Merrill Atwater. “The KAIP program helps us continue building that growth to maintain aviation as an important part of the Kansas economy, which results in jobs for its residents.”

“The applications we receive each year for KAIP projects are very competitive, indicating the value local officials attach to maintaining and developing their airports,” said State Aviation Planner Greg Chenoweth.  “KAIP allows us to advance the effectiveness of our airport system on a state-wide basis.”

KDOT Director of Aviation, Merrill Atwater (left) and Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson (second from the left) presented representatives of the KSU Polytechnic Campus with a KAIP grant yesterday. Photo credit: Kansas State Polytechnic Communications and Marketing 

Communities selected for funding and the amount requested include:

Abilene –  pavement maintenance and repair, $96,525

Augusta – pavement maintenance and repair, $76,500

Baldwin City – runway drainage repair, $43,055

Chanute – design of pavement repair, $9,500

Colby – pavement maintenance and repair, $49,750

Dodge City – ADA accessible aircraft boarding ramp, $28,690

Eureka -- pavement maintenance and repair, $47,295

Great Bend – airfield lighting improvements, $34,545

Greensburg – grading and drainage for new airport, $1,080,000

Herington – self serve fuel system upgrade, $41,225

Hutchinson -- pavement maintenance and repair, $315,000

Independence – self serve fuel system upgrade, $29,750

Jetmore – on-site weather reporting system, $135,000

Kingman – on-site weather reporting system upgrade, $28,800

Lawrence – pavement repair, $133,560

Lincoln – grading and drainage for new airport, $720,000

Lucas -- pavement maintenance and repair and development planning, $132,270

Mankato -- pavement maintenance and repair, $117,000

McPherson – turf runway rehabilitation, $60,750

Parsons – design of airfield maintenance and repair, $9,500

Rose Hill – pavement maintenance and repair, $7,200

Salina – design and pavement maintenance and repair, $428,990

St. Francis – airfield safety equipment replacement, $37,800

Syracuse – pavement maintenance and repair, $27,000

Wellington – design pavement maintenance and repair, $71,250

Winfield / Arkansas City -- pavement maintenance and repair, $267,650

Dedication ceremony for road improvement in Lyons

A dedication ceremony was held on Friday to celebrate the completion of an economic development project in Lyons. 

The City of Lyons had a lot to celebrate on Friday during a dedication ceremony of the completion of an economic development project.

The KSTW Ltd. Mahindra tractor distribution center now has the opportunity to grow and create additional jobs in the community thanks to the partnership between KDOT, the city of Lyons and KSTW Ltd.

This important economic development project converted 17^th Road, commonly known as Foundry Road, from gravel to a more efficient concrete surface.   The improvements allow for safer access for truck traffic entering and exiting the distribution facility which allows the company to increase in location size and allow for additional employees.

KDOT provided funds for the design and construction, which cost $500,000. KSTW Ltd. and the City of Lyons were able to fund the remaining construction engineering costs which brought the total dollar amount of the project to $562,000.

Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson had the opportunity to meet with those who celebrated the new opportunities the concrete surface creates.

“This was a great example of cooperation between the public and private sectors the benefit of everyone, and KDOT was proud to be a part of this joint effort between the state, the city and the company.” Carlson said.

Mike Young, the Mayor of Lyons, credited KDOT as a vital contributor to this project.

“I would like to express an immense appreciation towards KDOT for the support and guidance of this project,” Young said. “Without KDOT this project would not have been possible. KDOT has and continues to be a major part of the success of our community.”

This project was let on October 21 of last year and was completed earlier this month. 

Happy National Puppy Day! Here are some safe travel tips for you and your furry friend

Today is National Puppy Day and what better way to celebrate than to take your canine companion on a C-A-R   R-I-D-E to some of his favorite places.

Some pet parents really enjoy traveling with their furry family members. According to a AAA/Kurgo Pet Passenger Safety Study, around 56 percent of all Americans travel with their pups at least once a month.

Whether you are heading down the street, the dog park or even out to a dog-friendly business, there are some “pawesome” ways that you can ensure that you and your best friend enjoy your time together and arrive safely.

Avoid doggy distractions, and leave the front seat for your human family members. Distracted driving can be caused by more than cellphone use and changing the radio station. Allowing your pup to ride on your lap can result in a number of dangers. Your dog could get stuck in the steering wheel while you are driving, or jump down and block the brake and acceleration pedals.  Even the “cute factor” of seeing your dog enjoy the ride is enough of a distraction to keep him delegated to the back seat. Your dog will still be just as cute and happy at your destination. 

Dogs belong inside the vehicle. As much as we believe that our dogs love to hang out of car windows and feel the wind on their faces, we are exposing them to a number of risks. Pollution from the cars around you can make your dog ill and dust and debris could be kicked up into their nose, ears and eyes. A passing vehicle could also clip them and turn what could have been an enjoyable car ride into a tragic nightmare. Keeping your windows rolled up prevents injury and even escape, which brings us to our next tip.

Restrain or secure your pup.  There are several ways you can do this. Some pet supply stores offer harnesses and doggy seat belts that will help your pooch stay in the back seat. There is a difference from a restraint and a secure harness.

A restraint will simply keep the dog in the back seat. It will provide the dog with enough movement to lay down comfortably.  However, in the event of a car crash, this will not keep your dog as safe as a secured harness would. Some dogs may not tolerate that level of restriction so training may be required.

Dogs shouldn’t be left alone inside cars. Just as with human children, leaving your dog unattended in an enclosed car is life-threatening. On warm days it doesn’t take long before a car can reach a deadly level of heat inside the vehicle, even when the windows are cracked. Leaving your pet alone can also attract pet thieves. If you can’t bring your dog with you, have someone wait in the car or simply leave them at home. They will be safer and happier.

Always have your dog’s collar, ID tag and leash with you when you travel. This will keep your dog with you, and help bring them home if they get lost.

Doggy car activities will help keep your dog occupied while you travel. Some good items could be your dog’s favorite type of chewing treat, a dog-puzzle toy or even a brand new.

Extra food and water are essential to traveling. If you are going out of town with your dog, be prepared for an extra day or two’s worth of food and ensure that your pet stays hydrated. Traveling can be stressful, and your dog will need plenty of water—and stops to stay healthy.




Visit the vet before you travel long-distance. Make sure your dog is healthy enough to travel before you leave. Your vet may also have some medical suggestions that can help your dog stay comfortable on your journey. Use this time to get a copy of your dog’s vaccination records in case you want to take your dog somewhere that may require it such a pet festival or to the groomers.

Wherever you choose to take your dog, remember to consider its safety. Dogs love unconditionally and will be happy because they are with you. 

Common Courtesy Day: Reminders for the road

Does this scene sound familiar?

It’s rush hour. The stop and go traffic is exhausting and you may feel your blood begin to boil when an impatient driver cuts you off.  Your first reaction may be to lay on the horn angrily and yell at the driver in front of you.

Road rage is a very real behavior that has a way of snowballing out of control. Today is National Common Courtesy Day, and KDOT would like to provide you with some tips that will help you share the road with others. Hopefully, these tips will allow you to take moment and breathe when stressful situations occur

Don’t tailgate: While driving, it is easy to grow impatient and provide “hints” to drivers in front of us that they are going too slow. Don’t bully them into going faster.  If they have to brake suddenly, you could crash into them. Try to follow the three-second rule. Pick an object on the road, such as a post or a sign. When the car in front of you passes that object start counting, if you reach that object before you count to three, you are following too close.
  

Use your turn signal: In any relationship, communication is important. When you are on the road you are sharing your time and space with others, even if it’s only for a few seconds. It is important to indicate your intentions. Will you be turning at the next street? Do you need to exit? Your turn signal is a valuable communication device and will help other drivers know what you plan to do next.

Let others merge:   Small, kind gestures can make a world of difference in the lives of the people around you. Sometimes that can be as easy as acknowledging that someone needs to merge into your lane and allowing them time and space to do so safely. This could help you avoid a car crash.

Be patient/Don’t be a hazard: Driving isn’t a video game. Weaving in and out of traffic is unsafe. Try to go with the flow of traffic and follow the speed limit. Likewise, try to keep up with the speed limit so you don’t become a roadblock for other drivers.

Don’t blind other drivers:  When traveling at night it is always important to use your headlights. Sometimes the situation does require you to use your high beams to see farther away. But when you see another driver approaching you should switch them to your normal setting to avoid temporarily blinding them. They’ll appreciate you for it.

Provide space and time for bikers and pedestrians:  Pedestrians who use crosswalks need time to get across the street safely.  Be aware of their position and don’t move forward until they are safely out of your vehicle’s range of movement.

Focus on driving: Distracted driving can put you and others at risk. Put the phone away, have your music selected before you drive and remember that your car is not a dressing room. 

Many of these tips are common sense but in our busy, fast-paced world it is easy to be focused on what we need instead of the needs of others.

Today and every day, as you drive, keep in mind that those who you share the road with could be dealing with a lot of stress and simply being a courteous driver could help them more than you know.

Kansas couple accomplishes aerial feat

There are 137 public-use airports in Kansas and Kent and Cindy Stone decided to visit all of them.

On Friday, March 10, as their plane landed at the Philip Billard Municipal Airport in Topeka, they accomplished their goal with a total of 12 days of flying under their wings.   

Cindy and Kent Stone were honored with a certificate of merit from Kansas Department of Transportation Division of Aviation for visiting all 137 public-use airports. 

The couple began their flight in December and according to their Facebook page, they had visited all 52 airports in Western Kansas in just four days.

“Boredom got us going,” Kent said. He and his wife kept flying their renovated Beechcraft E33 Bonanza to the rest of the public-use airports in Kansas.

Although the couple took a break for a few weeks, they started up again early last month. Their arrival in Topeka ended their saga and earned them a certificate of merit from the KDOT Division of Aviation and the compliments of Aviation Director Merrill Atwater. 

“Kent and Cindy show how passion fuels aviation,” Atwater said. “They exemplify for anyone that aviation has something for everyone.”

Kent Stone (middle) shows off his well-earned certificate with representatives of  KDOT Division of Aviation: Dennis O'Connor (right) and Lindsey Dreiling. (left) 

After visiting 137 airports, the Stones said they still found something new each time they landed.

“Every airport has a story to tell or an experience to be enjoyed,” Kent said.

                                     
Their endeavor may have had a turbulent start over thirty years ago when the couple bought their Beechcraft E33 Bonanza.

“There was a long interval of engine troubles after buying the plane in 1986,” Kent said. “It kept cutting in and out after (doing) virtually everything to fix it. I had three choices: Hanger it, sell it, or start over and restore it.” 

It would appear that they made the correct choice.

This image from Kent and Cindy's Facebook page shows all 137 airports they visited. 

For more information on their journey check out their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/flykansas138/

Don't press your luck! This St. Patrick's Day, plan before you party

St. Patrick ’s Day is widely celebrated across the country and can be really fun. But that fun brings a dangerous side effect: Drunk driving. On this holiday, more drunk drivers are likely to drive on roadways.

In fact, the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period from 2011-2015 saw the loss of 252 lives due to drunk-driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2015, 30 people were killed in drunk driving crashes over this holiday period.

After consuming alcohol there is no such thing as being, “OK to drive.” Just one or two beverages can impair your judgement and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse. Nothing is worth putting your own and other lives at risk by drinking and driving.

Planning ahead is the key to staying safe after you’ve been drinking. Before the party begins, make a plan for how to get home safely. 

Most drivers aren’t leprechauns and don’t have a pot of gold on hand to pay for a DUI. The average DUI can cost $10,000. You’ll save more money if you use public transportation, or get a ride home from a friend.

The decision is up to you, whether you drink or you drive - but you can’t do both. Help those around you be responsible party goers as well. Walking while intoxicated can also bring bad luck as lack of attention and coordination puts you at risk of getting struck by a vehicle. If you know someone who has been drinking, take away their keys and help them find a safe ride home.

During this holiday, remember that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.