Ribbon cutting ceremony marks grand opening of new Great Bend transload facility

A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official grand opening of the new Great Bend Transload facility. The ribbon was cut by a train traveling across it. Photo courtesy: Brandon Steinert. 

A ribbon cutting ceremony today marked the official grand opening of the new Great Bend transload facility. Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson and other officials participated in the event, which celebrated the economic benefits to south central Kansas.

“The Great Bend transload facility is an important addition to the region,” said Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer. “With more than $1.4 million directly spent in the local community and 13 new private sector jobs created, the region is already seeing the economic benefits from this new facility.”

Great Bend was selected as a transload facility site in 2015, and construction began in July 2016. The facility is currently being used for the storage of wind energy components and will be operational for aggregate and cement within the next month.

“Freight plays an important role in moving the state economy, and this transload facility is already providing infrastructure that will benefit the community and increase opportunities for freight shipping and cost effectiveness,” said Secretary Carlson. “KDOT is proud to have played a role in helping make this project possible.”

KDOT Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson addresses a crowd
 attending the Great Bend Transload facility ribbon cutting ceremony.
Photo courtesy: Brandon Steinert. 

KDOT contributed $3 million in state funds to the $8 million project for new rail construction. An additional $360,000 in federal funds will improve the rail crossing on U.S. 56 just north of the Airport Road/U.S. 56 intersection. The remaining funds were contributed by private industry.

“This facility is an incredible addition to our community and we are appreciative of all of the project partners who have contributed significantly to this development,” said Great Bend Mayor Mike Allison. “It will have an enormous impact on the future growth of our area, the region, and our state in serving the agribusiness and industrial markets.”

Transload equipment that will move aggregate through the facility.

The Great Bend transload facility provides the infrastructure needed to move goods from truck to trail and rail to truck. Partners for the project are Watco Companies and the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad (K&O Railroad), Sherwood Companies, the City of Great Bend, Fuller Properties, and The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development. Kansas Transload Services operates the facility. 

Summer travel safety reminders

Due to the Fourth of July holiday, this weekend and early next week will consist of some of the busiest travel days of the year. If you and your loved ones will be traveling this weekend, or at any time during the summer, it is always best to be prepared for the unexpected. Stash a summer emergency kit in your car.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Red Cross have some great recommendations for assembling your summer road trip emergency safety kit.

Water	Non-perishable foods
Insurance papers	Medical Prescriptions and list of medications
Map	Spare keys for car and house
Blankets	Spare tire
Coolant	Brake fluid
Motor oil	Windshield washer fluid
First-Aid Kit	Flashlight
Mobile phone and charger	Fuel
Battery-powered radio	Tool box
Duct tape	Paper towels
Jumper cables	Tow rope or chain
Jack – if you need to change a tire	garbage bags
Umbrella	Rain poncho
Jumper Cables

Seat belt fine increase:
KDOT reminds motorists of the new seatbelt fine that will be implemented this Saturday, July 1, at midnight. The fine for a person 18 years and older who is not wearing a seatbelt increases from $10 to $30 per person. For each violation of a city ordinance, $20 from each $30 fine will be directed to the Seat Belt Safety Fund. The bill also directs 2.2 percent of all fines, penalties and forfeitures received from clerks of the district court to the Seat Belt Safety Fund.

The money received for the Seat Belt Safety Fund will be used for the promotion and education of occupant protection among children, including, but not limited to, school programs in the state of Kansas, such as Seat Belts Are for Everyone.

Alcohol, fireworks and driving don’t mix:
If drinking will be part of your Fourth of July weekend plans, remember to designate a sober driver. Never get behind the wheel even if you are just a little buzzed. Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Don’t let a celebration turn into a tragedy.

Work Zone Wednesday: I-435 to Metcalf Avenue in Johnson County

I-435 eastbound at U.S. 69

Improving and maintaining Kansas highways is part of KDOT’s mission for the state. In March, pavement reconstruction began on I-435 from one-half mile west of U.S. 69 to just east of Metcalf Avenue in Johnson County.

The $16.3 million project will replace old, deteriorating concrete pavement with new concrete pavement. This will alleviate the constant maintenance work that has been performed on this stretch of highway. The project work also includes bridge deck patching and resurfacing of approach slabs for the bridges over Indian Creek and Metcalf Avenue. The northbound U.S. 69 to westbound I-435 loop and a portion of the westbound I-435 collector-distributor road will also receive a face lift with a new asphalt overlay.

I-435 eastbound at Antioch in Johnson County. 

The I-435 pavement reconstruction project will take two constructions seasons and is scheduled to be completed by mid-November 2018, weather permitting. 

The 2017 construction season schedule includes work on eastbound I-435 lanes. 

For more information on this project, check out our I-435 Pavement Reconstruction Page here.

Updated daily traffic information for this project and for the entire Kansas City Metro Area can be viewed at: www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp. 

Motorists are asked to use extra caution in the work zone area.

Walk this way: Shunga Trail addition celebrated

KDOT's Division of Planning and Development Director, Chris Herrick (Center) and other Topeka and Shawnee County officials celebrate the completion of a one-half mile extension of the Shunga Trail. Photo courtesy of WIBW-TV.

Outdoor recreation fans in Topeka have a huge reason to celebrate. A ribbon cutting marking the completion of the newest extension of Shunga Trail took place on Thursday. The new, one-half mile addition to the trail will provide patrons with direct access to a portion of the city that was previously difficult to reach on foot. It runs west of Fairlawn Road underneath I-470 and S.W. 29^th Street to a sidewalk along S.W. McClure Road.

Chris Herrick, KDOT’s Division of Planning and Development Director, said the City of Topeka completed this project with a Transportation Enhancement grant from KDOT.

“We are pleased to have been able to assist with this project, which is important to the public,” Herrick said. “This project is a great example of the different levels of government working together for the common good. The whole community can enjoy and benefit from this trail addition.”

Matthew Messina, KDOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, said that this project made a safe connection to the city’s trail network by bypassing barriers that aren’t safe or legal for pedestrians and bicyclists to use.

“The main benefit is creating the connection with the southwest Topeka community and continuing the development of a safe trail network that people can use to recreate or access daily essentials like school, work, church, grocery stores, restaurants, shops, healthcare centers and more,” Messina said.

Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast said that although the extension only creates an additional one-half mile to Shunga Trail, it provides a safe route for school students attending French Middle School and McEachron Elementary.

“Students walking to school will no longer have to cross a busy intersection at S.W. 29^th Street,” Wolgast said.

Shawnee County Commissioner Bob Archer said that the extension of the Shunga Trail was significant.

A shot of the Shunga Trail's new addition. Photo courtesy of WIBW-TV

“It opens direct access to the trail to an entire new area of our community south of S.W. 29^th Street,” Archer said. “The Shunga Trail is the largest trail within Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, now totaling 8 1/2 miles, with park patrons using it to walk, jog, bicycle and even commute to and from work.”

There are multiple benefits for this new addition, one of them being an economic development angle.

“Our parks and recreation department asked that the trail be located along the south side of Shunganunga Creek where it will enhance the planned Wheatfield Village retail and residential development at 29^th Street and Fairlawn Road,” Archer said.

John Knight, Director of Shawnee Parks and Recreation, said connectivity of the trails is important.

“In our research for our Master Plan, the public told us that the number one amenity they desire in our parks and recreation system is trails and nature areas,” Knight said. “People can now ride a bike from south of S.W. 29^th Street all the way to N.E. 2^nd Street where the Shunga Trail connects with the Deer Creek Trail.”

“KDOT looks forward to developing more trails like this in the future, in Topeka and other Kansas communities as well,” Messina said.

Motoring Mondays: Castle Rock and Monument Rock

Monument Rock located in Gove County

Classified as a National Natural Landmark, the chalk monolith duo - Castle Rock and Monument Rocks - are in Gove County. The chalk monuments were created when chalk accumulated during the crustacean period, more than 80 million years ago, and eroded into interesting shapes. 

Castle Rocks, which eroded into a spire shape, is located on the eastern side of Gove County. Monument Rocks, also dubbed “Chalk Pyramids,” are on the western side of Gove County.
The Monument Rocks can be seen along the Western Vistas Historic Scenic Byway.

If you are interested in experiencing some of the fossils discovered in Gove County, The Sternberg Museum in Hays is a great place to see them. One fossil especially fascinating is the fourteenth-foot Xiphactinus, a large marine fish, which ate a sixth-foot Gillicus, another fish, shortly before dying. This fossil was discovered in 1952.
To learn more about this dynamic duo, visit Monument Rocks & Castle Rock, Gove County

#IAMKDOT: Gelene Savage

This month’s #IAMKDOT feature is Gelene Savage. Gelene is the Managing Attorney for KDOT’s Office of Chief Counsel.  Gelene began her career with KDOT as a Law Clerk while still in law school in 1991.  She was hired as a Staff Attorney after passing the bar exam in 1992, and has been with the agency for 26 years.

 She has served as OCC’s main Litigation Attorney for several years, defending lawsuits of every nature brought against the agency.  Gelene is well-known throughout KDOT for presentations she makes on safety, risk management and other topics of interest to employees in the Districts.  She makes it a point to stop at any nearby Subarea or Area offices whether she is travelling on agency or personal business. 

Gelene is well-respected by judges and other lawyers throughout the state for her professionalism in the defense of KDOT.  She is very proud to tell other counsel, “I am KDOT,” so it is fitting that she was nominated by her co-workers for the #IAMKDOT campaign.  A graduate of Kansas State University, Gelene is a Wildcats football fan, particularly during the last four years when her nephew, Logan, played for the Wildcats.  She is “Aunt Genie” to many nieces and nephews. When not at work, Gelene also enjoys gardening.

#IAMKDOT is an illustration project that recognizes KDOT employees who work hard to keep Kansans moving. This series also serves as a reminder for travelers to slow down and remember that underneath those neon vests are individuals with families, friends and hobbies waiting for them at home.

Do you know a KDOT worker that deserves recognition? Nominations are open! Email Mallory.Goeke@KS.gov today to get started! 

Work Zone Wednesday: U.S. 54 Expansion in Seward County

Work on the U.S. 54 expansion east of Liberal in Seward County has begun to wrap up. The project, which was started last April, will expand the 3 1/2 mile highway to four lanes and add a bridge over the Cimarron River.  

Work has begun to wrap up on the U.S. 54 expansion east of Liberal in Seward county. The project broke ground in April 2016, with Michel Corporation of Brownsville, Wis. as the primary contractor on this $14.6 million project that addresses the needs for a four-lane expressway on U.S. 54 and improves access to the Arkalon Energy Plant on this route. 

Crews remove old highway material from U.S. 54. Work is now in its
final phases.

This 3 ½ mile project includes building a four-lane expressway and a second bridge over the Cimarron river.  Most of the work has been completed off the original roadway limiting detours and delays for motorists and allowing for enhanced safety.  Greg Adams, KDOT Area Construction Engineer, attributes the enhanced safety and lack of accidents on this project to Michels Paving Project Manager, Charlie James, who has played a crucial role in keeping the project and site accident free.  “Consistent, active and visible safety leadership, positive recognition for safe work behaviors, and holding our people accountable is an important part of Michels' culture.  It has earned Michels Paving the reputation of being one of the safest contractors in the industry,” according to James.

The project is in its final phases, with crews working on signing, striping and completing tie-ins during the next several weeks.