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KDOT Announces Local Partnership Program Projects

Dec 8, 2004 (04-160)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Contact: Stan Whitley, (785) 296-3585

KDOT Announces Local Partnership Program Projects

State and local funds totaling $24.5 million were approved recently for 26 construction projects in communities across Kansas through the Kansas Department of Transportation's Local Partnership Program.

"The Local Partnership Program has been very popular in the state and these improvements couldn't have happened without local partners and KDOT working together," said KDOT Secretary Deb Miller. "Over the past six years, 133 economic development and geometric improvement projects totaling nearly $114 million have been initiated through this program with KDOT funding approximately $79 million in improvements and local governments $35 million."

The program financially assists local governments in making needed road improvements on city and county roads. Projects were awarded under the categories of Geometric Improvements and Economic Development.

Geometric improvement projects are designed to help cities widen pavements, add or widen shoulders, eliminate steep hills or sharp curves and add needed acceleration and deceleration lanes. Economic development projects are intended to enhance economic development in the state.

Most cities with City Connecting Links of the State Highway System within their boundaries are eligible to apply for Geometric Improvement funds. Any local unit of government or state agency may be considered for Economic Development funds for a highway or bridge construction project that has the potential to enhance and increase the area's income, employment and land values. Enactment of the Comprehensive Transportation Program by the 1999 Legislature allowed continuation of the three local partnership programs, which have been in existence since 1986. As part of the CTP, funding for the local partnership projects increased.

Following is a list of approved cities, highways and Local Partnership Program projects.

Geometric Improvement - 14 projects

Lawrence - Intersection of K-10 and Harper Street, construct left turn lane on northbound Harper Street; Manhattan - Intersection of U.S. 24 and Manhattan Town Center Shopping Mall entrance, additional left turn for westbound traffic; Rossville - U.S. 24 from Pearl Street east to the east city limits and Orange Street, intersection improvement with Orange Street and curb and gutter; Herington - U.S. 56B, Lime Creek Bridge east to Broadway on Trapp Street, reconstruction; Lindsborg - U.S. 81B from K-4 (McPherson Street) to Swensson Street, pavement replacement, patching and curb and gutter; McPherson - U.S. 56/U.S. 81B, Ash Street to ½ block west of Cherry Street on Kansas Avenue, reconstruction.

Goodland - U.S. 24B and Cherry Street, intersection improvement for turns lanes; Hoxie - K-23 (Main Street) fom Utah Avenue to Queen Avenue, reconstruction; Louisburg - K-68 and East Crestview Circle, reconstruction; Pomona - K-68, East D Street to East E Street on Franklin Street, reconstruction; El Dorado - K-254, School Road to Haverhill Road on Central Avenue, construct left turn lanes, storm sewer and inlets; Hoisington - U.S. 281 from Third Street to Sixth Street, reconstruction; Lyons - K-14/ K-96, intersection of American Road and Grand Avenue, construct new radius with curb and gutter; Tribune - K-27, Broadway Avenue from Newton Street to Harper Street, reconstruction.

Economic Development - 12 projects

Basheor - Frontage Road north of U.S. 24/U.S. 40 between 155th and 158th Streets, construct new roadway; Gardner - Moonlight Road from Madison Street north to Prairie Village Drive, widen to four lanes; Emporia - I-35 eastbound exit ramp off of I-35 to Industrial Road, reconstruct exit ramp on new ailgnment; Jackson County - Intersection of K-16/North Road, 2.5 miles west of U.S. 75, intersection improvement; Morris - County route 1618 from U.S. 56 northeast 2.8 miles, surfacing; Colby - Country Club Drive from Horton Avenue north to I-70, reconstruction.

Hays - 41St Street from east of Sherman Avenue east to Canterbury Drive, reconstruction to three lanes; Garnett - Intersections of U.S. 59 and 7th Avenue and U.S. 169 and Main Street, intersection improvement and realignment; Paola - Industrial Park Drive from Hospital Drive east approximately 1,600 feet, asphalt surfacing; Hutchinson - Halstead Street from 4th Avenue to 11th Avenue, reconstruction; Maize - Junction of 53rd Street and Maize Road, intersection reconstruction; Hodgeman County - K-156, eight miles west of Jetmore, intersection relocation and acceleration/deceleration lanes.

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