KDOT photo contest winners announced

The Kansas Department of Transportation releases the print copy of its annual report each January and the upcoming issue will feature two incredible photos on the front and back covers.

Lorraine D. Palmer's winning entry of K-14 in Lincoln County will be featured on the cover of the next annual report.  

KDOT received more than 70 entries from across the state. The first-place winner is Lorraine Palmer, who sent in a photo of K-14 in Lincoln County, and it will be featured on the front cover.

“I am a transplant that has been here for 34 years,” Palmer said. “Kansas is a beautiful place and I love photographing its many colors, moods and seasons.”

Palmer said this is the first photography contest she has won.

“It’s very special to me,” Palmer said. “This photo is one of my favorite locations that really shows the vast beauty of Kansas. I always get comments on the surprising beauty from friends and family that do not live here.”

Linda Hamlin's photo of a foggy morning on a Kansas highway took second place and will be featured on the back cover of the next annual report. 

The second-place photo was taken by Linda Hamlin and it depicts a foggy morning on a Kansas highway. It will be featured on the back cover of the annual report.

This year’s photo contest was judged by a panel of professional photographers and KDOT officials.

Relay for rescue: saving lives one mile at a time

Two dogs, Gracie and Cienna were heartworm positive and were transported from a shelter in Texas to a rescue in Colorado where they will receive care and be eligible for adoption. 

By Lisa Mussman

Northwest Kansas Public Affairs Manager 

It happens every week on the highways and byways across the country. Hundreds of volunteers working together giving shelter animals hope, one mile at a time.

What is this phenomenon? Volunteer animal rescue transport.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 6.5 million companion animals are surrendered to shelters annually. Even though adoption numbers are on the rise, nearly 1.5 million are euthanized each year. And, while there are many potential rescues and adopters willing to take in these at-risk animals, they often do not have the resources to transport them to safety whether it be across the state or across the country.

Simon and Garfunkel, two kittens that tested positive for
FeLV in North Carolina were transported to a shelter in
Colorado that specializes in treating cats living with this
illness. 

This is where volunteer animal transporters step in. An online search for “volunteer animal rescue transport” brings up numerous groups available to help move animals from point A to point B. Transports aren’t limited to rescuers, anyone needing help moving an animal may submit a request to these groups.

Once the request has been submitted, a transport coordinator will develop a run sheet for the trip, breaking it down into legs that are usually one to one to 1 1/2 hours long on average. The run sheet is then emailed or posted on social media/online for volunteers to start signing up for legs, overnights or week-long stays depending on the length of the trip. Most transports take place on the weekends when drivers are more readily available. Transport coordinators will continue reaching out to volunteers until each leg is spoken for, sleepovers are secured and the run is filled.

Then the trip is on! Drivers ready their vehicles, laying down blankets and towels and packing leashes, toys, fresh water and treats to help their four-legged passengers feel more comfortable on their long trip. The first volunteer picks up the animal and the journey begins, sometimes with lots of singing and talking, and always with lots of love. The animals get a chance to stretch, have a drink of water and a potty break at each exchange. There are usually lots of pets, hugs, pictures and sometimes a few tears as they make their way down the road, a process that gets repeated over and over until they reach their final destinations.

Thanks to the work of these volunteer transporters, thousands of animals who may not have had a chance at a loving home are getting those chances. The sight of these animals beginning to relax and realize they are safe, their nudges, kisses, cuddles and silent “thank yous” to the drivers; these are what keep volunteer transports going.

For more information or to get involved with a volunteer transport group, search online or contact an animal rescue in your area.

Johnson County Gateway named one of nation’s top transportation projects

The Johnson County Gateway Project Phase two was KDOT's first design-build project.

KDOT’s Johnson County Gateway Phase 2 project has been named one of the Top 12 national finalists in the 2017 America’s Transportation Awards competition.

The $288 million project, the first and largest design-build transportation project completed in Kansas, emerged as a finalist out of a record 92 project nominations from 38 states. The Johnson County Gateway project will now compete for the grand prize and the People’s Choice Award.

The grand prize will be determined by an independent panel of transportation industry experts. The People’s Choice Award will be decided by online popular vote, with votes scaled to state populations. Online voting is now underway and continues through midnight on Thursday, Sept. 21. Kansans are encouraged to cast a vote for the project by visiting the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) website at http://AmericasTransportationAwards.org. Individuals can vote once a day.

“The Johnson County Gateway is a vital economic corridor, not only for the region but for the state of Kansas,” said Gov. Sam Brownback. “As the improvements achieved through this project encourage new development opportunities and job growth, the economic benefit is expected to exceed $1 billion over the next two decades. I am pleased to see the Gateway recognized as one of the top transportation projects in the nation.”

“We are honored to see this project receive national recognition,” said Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson. “The design-build team worked hard to minimize the impact on travelers, ultimately completing the project six months ahead of schedule. The Gateway improvements address more than 90 percent of the traffic problems in the project area, and we are excited to celebrate its success.”

The Johnson County Gateway included reconstruction and capacity improvements within the I-435, I-35 and K-10 interchange area along with improvements at several major local interchanges. Within the project area, there were 56 new lane miles added as well as 22 new and five rehabilitated bridges, including three new two-lane flyover bridge ramps and widened bridges on I-435 and I-35.

The America’s Transportation Awards competition is celebrating its 10^th year and is sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Two KDOT projects named regional winners in America's Transportation Awards Competition

Two major Kansas Department of Transportation projects that were completed in Overland Park and Lawrence last year were announced yesterday as regional winners in the 2017 America’s Transportation Awards competition.

An aerial view of the Johnson County Gateway I-35 and 95th Street Diverging Diamond Interchange. The JoCo Gateway tied for first in the "Operations Excellence, large project" category at the America's Transportation Awards.

KDOT’s Johnson County Gateway Phase 2 project, the first and largest design-build transportation project completed in Kansas, tied for first in the “Operations Excellence, large project” category. The K-10 South Lawrence Trafficway East Leg was selected the regional winner in the “Operations Excellence, medium project” category. Both projects will now be considered for inclusion as national finalists to compete for the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award.

An aerial view of the South Lawrence Trafficway at the Haskell Avenue Interchange in Lawrence. The SLT was the regional winner in the "Operations Excellence, medium project"  category at the America's Transportation Awards.

“These well-deserved awards are a testament to the excellence of Kansas highways,” said Gov. Sam Brownback. “Our state highway system is one of the best in the nation, and Kansas will continue to see the benefits from these projects for years to come as they serve commuters and facilitate commerce in vital economic corridors for the state.”

Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson said, “I am proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by KDOT professionals to help make these projects successful. From the beginning of the planning process to a project’s completion, our staff is committed to pursuing excellence every step of the way, and the Johnson County Gateway and South Lawrence Trafficway were no exceptions. These projects are great examples of KDOT’s commitment to providing a highway system that meets the needs of Kansans.”

Aerial view of the I-35/I-435 Interchange two-lane flyover. The JoCo Gateway tied for first in the
"Operations Excellence, large project" category at the America's Transportation Awards

“Every project nominated in this competition represents the hard work and dedication of state DOTs across the country to meet the transportation needs of the communities we serve,” said David Bernhardt, president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. “For 10 consecutive years, the America’s Transportation Awards have given state DOTs the recognition they deserve for providing the essential connections that keep people, goods and our economy moving forward.”

An aerial view of the South Lawrence Trafficway. The SLT was the regional winner in the "Operations Excellence, medium project"  category at the America's Transportation Awards

The Johnson County Gateway project included reconstruction and capacity improvements within the I-435, I-35 and K-10 interchange area along with improvements at several major local interchanges. Within the project area, there were 56 new lane miles added as well as 22 new and five rehabilitated bridges, including three new two-lane flyover bridge ramps and widened bridges on I-435 and I-35.

The South Lawrence Trafficway East Leg included construction of a new four-lane, six-mile freeway around the east side of Lawrence, connecting the existing K-10 with the new highway. Construction work included 24 bridges, 29.4 highway lane miles, 16.3 miles of local roads and three new interchanges.

The America’s Transportation Awards competition is celebrating its 10^th year and is sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.