Why are they working on that road?

Why are they working on that road?

It’s a question KDOT officials often hear that can be answered in one word: preservation.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, pavement preservation represents a proactive approach to maintaining our existing highways. It enables a transportation agency to reduce costly, time consuming rehabilitation and reconstruction projects and associated traffic disruptions. Timely preservation provides the traveling public with improved safety and mobility, reduced congestion and smoother, longer lasting pavements.

Preservation isn’t a new concept. Consider how we incorporate preservation in our daily lives. We change the oil in our car to maintain engine life. We change furnace and air conditioner filters to keep our units running smoothly. The same goes for our roads. Applying the right treatment on the right road at the right time will extend the service life of the pavement or, in short, help keep good roads good.

Examples of preservation treatments include chip seals, milling and overlays, surface recycling and patching.  The average cost of these treatments is significantly less than complete reconstruction or modernization projects. The National Center for Pavement Preservation estimates that every dollar spent on preservation saves $6 to $10 that would have to be spent on future rehabilitation or reconstruction.

Pavement preservation programs are a proactive approach to maintaining our roads using low cost, preventative maintenance treatments. By keeping our good roads good, we can ensure that we are getting the most out of our pavement investment.

8 Midwest states receive federal grant to develop system to track truck parking

A $25 million federal grant to address critical truck parking issues in the Midwest has been awarded to a consortium of Kansas and seven other states.

The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant was awarded to the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials (MAASTO) to develop the multi-state Truck Parking Information and Management System (TPIMS). Other MAASTO states that will receive funding include Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. 

The grant was announced today in Wichita by Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. Kansas was the lead applicant among the states.

Safety issues arise when trucks parked along key freight corridors overflow onto the shoulders of rest area ramps, freeway ramps and adjacent roads. Often there may be adequate parking elsewhere along the route, but no real-time information is available to let truckers know where that might  be. 

“I’m excited and grateful to accept this grant on behalf of Kansas and the other seven states whose goals are to improve the efficiency, economic competitiveness and safety of the national freight network,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary and former MAASTO president Mike King. “By working together, we can provide our freight customers the reliability of a seamless, regional system." 

The TPIMS will disseminate parking information on electronic message signs, traveler information websites and smart phone applications. In Kansas, the system will include information about parking along I-70 and I-135.

            The Kansas Department of Transportation expects to receive about $3.3 million in federal funds and will contribute approximately$486,000 in state funds for the work in Kansas.

Nation's Top Federal Highway Official in Wichita to Make Major Funding Announcement

Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau will be in Wichita to make a federal funding announcement at 3 p.m. today.  Administrator Nadeau will be joined by KDOT Secretary Mike King at Groendyke Transport Inc, 3350 N. Ohio in Wichita for the announcement.  Stay tuned for more details later today.

Wednesday's Words

Standard and Poor’s, the bond-rating agency last week stated: “Millennials” — people born between 1982 and 2000 — “are driving less than older motorists did” at the same age — “and when they do get behind the wheel, they are . . . in smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.” 

This is consistent with a growing number of studies that show Millennials, more than previous generations, prefer having more transportation alternatives to driving such as walking, biking or using public transit.   While previous generations saw car ownership as a source of freedom, many Millennials believe it's a burden.

Transportation leaders will need to be mindful of this information both in terms of how mobility is provided and how it is funded in the future. 


Does thing ring true with the Millennials you know?  Sound off in the comment box below.

The Secrets of Southeast Kansas: Mined Land Wildlife Area

Those old strip mines carved through the landscape are no longer scenes of utter desolation. They’ve become lakes brimming with fish and rich in waterfowl. Adjoining wetlands, native grasslands, oak and hickory forests are now home to deer, wild turkey, quail, cottontail rabbit, fox and mink. This is the Mined Land Wildlife Area, a devastation-to-restoration story that plays out over 14,500 acres in Cherokee, Crawford and Labette counties.

The Mined Land Wildlife Area includes 46 tracts of land. The land was reclaimed following the departure of the coal companies, which had surface mined in the region from the late 1800’s through the early 1970’s. The 200-plus strip mine lakes vary in size and depth and are filled with different kinds of sportfish. In addition to fishing and hunting, camping and canoeing are permitted on many of the tracts.

So grab your fishing pole or hunter’s gear, binoculars and hiking boots, load up the boat or canoe – and prepare to enjoy some quality time on beautifully restored wildlife habitat in the southeastern corner of the state. For additional information go to www.ksoutdoors.com.

ICYMI: U.S. Bicycle Route 76 designated in Kansas

KDOT announces the addition of 487 miles to the U.S. Bicycle Route 76 (USBR 76), which follows the existing Trans-America Trail as it crosses Kansas. 

Kansas is the fifth state to designate USBR 76 and there are now 2,013 miles of the route completed between Virginia and Kansas. The entire proposed route crosses the United States from Virginia to Oregon. KDOT worked with the many local jurisdictions through which the route passes, as well as members of Adventure Cycling Association, on the designation.  

It connects with Missouri’s recently designated portion entering Kansas near Girard. The newly designated route travels west via K-146, U.S. 54, K-19 and K-96 before leaving the state near Tribune. 

“Bringing in bicyclists from across the U.S. as well as encouraging Kansas bicyclists to travel on the route will significantly increase tourism throughout the state,” Kansas Transportation Secretary Mike King said. “We have so many wonderful places to experience and are pleased to be a part of this national effort.” 

The route passes along many scenic and educational locations such as the Flint Hills, the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center and the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

Bicyclists interested in riding throughout the state can find a variety of maps and other helpful information on the KDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian website at www.ksdot.org/bikeped.