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Above, Secretary Julie Lorenz and below, Craig
Cox,
President of Kansas Association of Counties and
Riley County
Deputy Counselor,
spoke about benefits
of the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program
to cities and
counties at the event announcing
the reinstatement of the program.
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The
Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has reinstated a popular program
designed to help replace and rehabilitate city and county deficient bridges.
KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz announced the program Aug. 7 at an event in Butler
County joined by leaders from the Kansas Association of Counties, the Kansas
County Highway Association and the Kansas Contractors Association.
The Kansas
Local Bridge Improvement Program is a $5 million
state-funded program that helps cities and counties by providing up to $150,000
toward the replacement or rehabilitation of a bridge on the local roadway
system. To qualify, bridges must be rated as deficient, have a daily vehicle
count of less than 100 and be 20 to 50 feet in length. Cities and counties can garner an additional
$50,000 by closing a deficient bridge. Local jurisdictions that are awarded
funds must provide a 10 percent match.
“Kansas’
local road system is critical for getting people and goods where they need to
go,” said Gov. Laura Kelly regarding the program. “I’m pleased to see state and
local government working together and combining resources to replace aging
infrastructure - creating healthier communities and economies.”
Funding for the program is part of the $216 million in
sales tax authorized by Gov. Kelly to remain in the state highway fund in
fiscal year 2020. Those funds will be used to increase highway preservation,
help complete delayed T-WORKS projects, improve safety and provide new funding
opportunities for cities and counties.
“This was a popular program when it was offered in 2014 and
I’m very happy that we’re able to bring it back,” said Secretary Lorenz.
“Reinstating the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program was one of the top
recommendations coming out of last year’s Joint Legislative Vision Task Force
and is a great way for us to work together with cities and counties to address
needed improvements.”
There are approximately 19,000 bridges
on Kansas’ local road systems. About 20 percent – or 3,800 -- of those bridges
are in poor condition – or unable to meet today’s weight and vehicle
requirements.
Under the previous program, 110 bridges
were replaced or permanently closed during the two years it operated.
“The
counties are excited and appreciative of this new bridge replacement program,”
said Justin Mader, Saline County Engineer and president of the Kansas County
Highway Association. “It will be good for agriculture, good for safety,
will put construction workers to work and boost the Kansas economy while
building and rehabilitating bridges that will benefit Kansas for decades into
the future.”
Applications
will be accepted through mid-September and KDOT will select projects in early
October. Details are posted on KDOT’s website and can be seen at the links
below:
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