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.”

Kansas and Missouri DOTs partner on driver alert technology pilot program

Travelers in the metro areas of Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka and Salina areas will have another way to receive digital alerts with the driver technology alert pilot program. 

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has teamed up with its counterparts in Missouri to initiate a pilot program in four Kansas metropolitan areas that alerts drivers when motorist assist vehicles are nearby.

Drivers in Kansas City, Wichita, Salina and Topeka can receive digital alerts via the Waze mobile navigation app when they are approaching Kansas Motorist Assist Program vehicles or, in Missouri, the Emergency Response program vehicles that are actively providing roadside services.

A total of 19 Kansas vehicles and 12 Missouri vehicles are using the technology. The digital alerting service uses GPS and cellular technologies to precisely track and transmit the digital alerts to nearby motorists. This provides drivers with advance warning and time to safely slow down and change lanes in compliance with Kansas’ Move Over Law and Missouri’s Move Over, Slow Down law.

Collisions and struck-by incidents are common nationwide and rank as leading causes of death for firefighters and police offi­cers as well as other first responders like EMS, motorist assistance vehicles, tow truck operators and highway maintenance workers.

“We’re excited to adopt this technology to make our roads safer for both our emergency responders and highway motorists,” said Shari Hilliard, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Engineer for KDOT. “We believe this digital alerting service will prevent collisions and save lives, and we’re pleased to be partnering with Missouri offi­cials to pursue this goal together.”

The Kansas Motorist Assist Program is funded by KDOT and administered by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Motoring Monday - Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm



The  Mahaffie stone farmhouse was one of the first stops for travelers on several trails.

Visitors enjoy a stagecoach ride.

The stone farmhouse built by J.B. and Lucinda Mahaffie in 1865 was one of the first stops for westbound travelers using the Westport Route of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails. The couple operated a stagecoach stop for the Barlow and Sanderson Stage Line from 1863 to 1869, providing livery service and meals. The Mahaffie’s stayed at the farm until 1886.

The City of Olathe purchased 20 acres of the original farmstead in 1979, and now the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site is the only Santa Fe Trail stagecoach stop that is open to the public. Depending on the day of week and time of year, visitors can ride a real stagecoach, visit the blacksmith, sample something cooked from the wood-burning cookstove or help with the farm chores that revolve with the seasons and include planting, cultivating and harvesting the gardens and fields.



Children play on the 20 acres of open area.

The visitor center features a gift shop along with exhibits and interactive videos telling stories of the Mahaffie family, stagecoach travel, the western trails and the Border War/Civil War era in Kansas.

The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm is also a certified site on the National Santa Fe Trail by the National Park Service.

Find out more about the location and upcoming activities at www.mahaffie.org

 

Be prepared for Independence Day and summer travel

Summer travel is heating up across the country and many people will celebrate this holiday weekend by hitting the road and traveling to - and through - the Sunflower State. The Kansas Turnpike Authority and Kansas Highway Patrol and The Kansas Department of Transportation are partnering to remind motorists to travel safely during Independence Day, and throughout the rest of the summer.

From July 3 through July 5, KHP personnel will be working in support of the Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) enforcement, along with personnel from other states. C.A.R.E. focuses on occupant protection, impaired driving laws, and other crash-causing traffic violations. C.A.R.E.’s goal is increased safety and ease of travel on our nation’s roadways.

Being prepared for any summer travel is a big factor in keeping your trip running smoothly,” said Steve Hewitt, Kansas Turnpike Authority CEO. “For our travelers on the Turnpike, if you find yourself needing roadside assistance, our State Farm Safety Assist program is available in our busy corridors to help get you back up and running.”

Before travelers pack their cars, they can check their route for potential delays or construction with the help of KanDrive, www.kandrive.org. KanDrive includes camera images and interactive maps as well as links to rest areas and travel and tourism sites.

Smartphone users can access the site by going to www.kandrive.org and bookmarking it to your home screen so it’s ready when you need it. If users would prefer to use the text-based mobile website, it can be found at 511mm.ksdot.org.

Much of the same information can be accessed by calling 5-1-1 in Kansas or 1- 866-511-KDOT (5368) in the U.S. Before hitting the road, drivers and their passengers need to buckle up.

“Drivers need to set a good example by wearing their seat belts,” said Julie Lorenz, Kansas Secretary of Transportation.

Studies in Kansas show that if the driver is belted, about 95 percent of all other passengers in the vehicle are properly restrained.  If the driver is NOT belted, it’s only 25 percent of the other passengers.

“Seat belts save lives every day,” Lorenz said. "It is easy to do and could save your life.”

The agencies wish all of those traveling during the upcoming holiday, safe travels. If you are in need of help on a Kansas highway, you can call KHP for assistance at *47 (*HP) or *KTA (*582) for the Kansas Turnpike.

As you enjoy your summer travels and celebrate Independence Day, the agencies offer some tips to help you and your family have a blast:

• It’s hot out there so make sure your vehicle is in proper working order for the heat of summer - check fluids, tires, the air conditioning and cooling system.
• When you leave, start off with a full tank of gas and a fully charged phone.
• Plan your route of travel and check www.kandrive.org for construction, and other issues with your travel plans. The site also has links to other states’ travel information. Also give a family member your travel plans. 
• As you travel, remember to Move Over for first responders and highway maintenance crews. If you are unable to Move Over, then Slow Down.
• In case of a break down, keep emergency supplies in your car, including bottles of water, a phone charger, and non-perishable food items.
• Ensure everyone in your vehicle is using their seat belt and/or an appropriately-fitted child safety seat.
• Arrange for a designated driver ahead of time if you’ll be consuming alcohol. Do not drink and drive.
• If you’re hosting a party, have non-alcoholic drink alternatives available for designated drivers. 

Motoring Monday - Cimarron National Grassland



Pretty flowers can be seen throughout the area. Credit: Cimarron National Grassland

Point of Rocks. Credit: Cimarron National Grassland

Travelers to the extreme southwest corner of Kansas will find the Cimarron National Grassland, one of only 20 natural grasslands in the U.S.  A place that if you close your eyes for a few minutes can take you back in time almost 200 years to the gentle call of the Cimarron River, the quiet solitude of middle spring and the creaks and groans of the wagon trains as they bumped along the Santa Fe Trail.

The Middle Spring was a reliable water source. Credit: 
Larry & Carolyn and the Santa Fe Trail Research site.

With more than 100,000 acres, the Cimarron Natural Grassland is the largest area of public land in Kansas and home to the longest publicly-owned section of the Santa Fe Trail. Visitors will find Santa Fe Trail ruts still visible today, as well as Point of Rocks and Middle Spring.  Point of Rocks is a large outcropping of rock that could be seen from miles around and marked the way for trail weary travelers to Middle Spring, one of only three reliable water sources along a 50-mile stretch of the trail. 

Following its Santa Fe Trail days, the area was used extensively for ranching and grain production.  However, the Dust Bowl in the 1930s heavily damaged the area with Morton County, which is home to most of the Grasslands. It was named the most devastated county in the nation.  The Federal government began buying the land from bankrupt farmers and implemented aggressive conservation efforts that restored the Grasslands to their natural beauty.

Today, the Grasslands are home to three distinct ecosystems - the shortgrass prairie, sand-sage prairie and wooded riparian along the riverbed.  Visitors will find deer, antelope and other wildlife on the grasslands and opportunities to enjoy bird watching, scenic driving, picnicking, camping and fishing. 

I-70 reconstruction project continuing in Gove County

By Lisa Mussman, 

Northwest Kansas Public Affairs Manager  

A multi-year reconstruction project on a portion of I-70 in Gove County in northwest Kansas has kicked into high gear for the summer.

The eastbound lanes have been milled down in preparation for the new pavement this will be installed this summer and fall.

 Project work includes pavement replacement on both the eastbound and westbound lanes on a nine-mile stretch starting one mile west of the K-23 spur near Grainfield and ending four miles east of K-211. Work began last fall with the installation of temporary crossovers in preparation for the new pavement, with the eastbound lanes scheduled to be completed in 2019 and westbound lanes in 2020.

Construction crews work on the new span bridge that will carry eastbound I-70 over Gove County Road 62. 

Additional project work also includes pavement replacement at the eastbound and westbound rest areas near Grainfield, construction of new right of way fencing, lighting installation at exits 95 and 99, and reconstruction of the box structure carrying Gove County Road 62 under I-70 into two new span bridges.

Part of the project includes polymer overlays on the bridges at exits 95 and 99. Crews first prepare the surface for treatment by shotblasting, followed by an application of epoxy and covered by chat. The surface is then cleaned and a second layer of epoxy and chat are applied. The overlay will help seal any cracks and not allow water and salt to penetrate into the surface, helping to extend the life of the bridge.

 

Traffic through the construction area has been to one lane in each direction in the westbound lanes. Drivers are urged to slow down and use caution when traveling through work zones!

Updates on the project and current travel impacts can be found at www.I70Gove.com. For information on additional construction projects around the state, visit www.kandrive.org.

What to expect when you’re expecting road construction

A common question on KDOT’s social media pages is “When are you going to fix that road?” There are steps that take place before a highway construction project begins.  

One of the first steps is the appearance of neon orange or white numbers spray painted on the shoulder or on the road if there is no shoulder. 

One of the first signs of a project are painted numbers on the side of the road. 

In addition, stakes will also be placed on the roadside in the grass or brush.  The numbers and the stakes are references used to measure quantities of materials that are used during the project. This also allows the contractor and KDOT to track the amount of material used per 100 feet of roadway.

Stakes are also added as reference points in the grass or brush. 

KDOT’s local maintenance crews also play a large part in preparing for a project.  They are responsible for mowing and weed eating the work zone prior to a project.  This increases visibility for motorists and crews and helps reduce the fire hazard during a project. KDOT’s local crews will also repair shoulders and patch potholes if the number of traffic lanes is being reduced to one lane during a project. Local crews will also install passing and no-passing signs in the construction area as highway markings may be removed during construction.

Crews construct no-passing signs because highway markings may be removed during construction.

At some point, a site will be cleared and leveled, and piles of aggregate will be moved near the work zone.  Aggregate may include sand, rock or other material as needed.  Approximately one to two weeks before the project begins, a mobile plant which produces concrete or asphalt, will be moved into the site and set up. 

For some projects, the contractor will create a temporary plant site to haul and store aggregate and set up equipment to produce asphalt for the project using a mobile plant. 

Finally, work zone signs and traffic control devices will be placed along the side of the road in the days before the project begins.  This gives motorists time to prepare for changes in traffic flow before the project begins and is a sure sign that construction is just around the corner.

Always know before you go by visiting kandrive.org for the most up to date highway construction projects and detours. Remember to ditch the distractions, slow down and obey work zone warning signs.