Jan. 20, 2006 ( 06-004)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

KDOT announces selection of 24 Local Partnership Program projects

Local partnership projects designed to enhance economic development opportunities and improve safety in communities across the state have been announced by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).

State and local funds totaling $24.6 million were approved for 24 construction projects in fiscal year 2009 through KDOT’s Local Partnership Program. 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.

“The Local Partnership Program has funded important projects all across the state,” said KDOT Secretary Deb Miller. “These improvements couldn’t have happened without local partners and KDOT working together. Communities care about these projects and show that by providing a share of the funding to make them possible.”

Local units of government must provide at least 25 percent of the total project costs for economic development projects and up to a maximum of 25 percent of total geometric improvement costs based on city population.

Economic development projects are intended to enhance economic development in the state. 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.

All 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.

Miller said this is the final year of funding for the Local Partnership program under KDOT’s Comprehensive Transportation Program.

“The impact of the Local Partnership program has been dramatic throughout Kansas and we hope funding will become available for its continued success in the future,” said Miller. “We have been able to provide funding for 415 economic development and geometric improvement projects during the existence of this partnership program.”

Since 1987, 275 Geometric Improvements have been funded in 136 communities and 140 Economic Development projects have been funded in 83 Kansas communities. A total of $320 million in funding - $220 million in state funds and $100 million in local funds – have been allocated to make improvements during the program.

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

Geometric Improvements - 16 projects

Leavenworth – K-7 and 20th Street, interchange construction; Manhattan – U.S. 24 and Marlatt Avenue, intersection realignment, turn lanes and traffic signals; Olathe – K-7 from Dennis Avenue to old U.S. 56, add turn lane for southbound K-7 to westbound old U.S. 56; Rossville – U.S. 24 from Cross Creek to Navarre, curb and gutter; Concordia – Intersection of U.S. 81 (Lincoln Street) and College Drive, widen College Drive to five lanes and relocate traffic signals; McPherson – U.S. 56B/U.S. 81B from Maple to Ash Street, reconstruction; Washington – U.S. 36 from 100 feet west of D Street east 1,100 feet to the U.S. 36/K-15 junction, reconstruction; Downs – U.S. 24 from Second Street east to Clark Street, widen to four lanes with curb and gutter; WaKeeney – U.S. 40B from First Street east to Fifth Street, reconstruction and curb and gutter; Burlington - U.S. 75 from Cumberland Street north to south of Neosho Street, reconstruction and curb and gutter; Eureka – Intersection of U.S. 54 and Jefferson Street, reconstruction and curb and gutter; Fort Scott – Intersection of U.S. 69/K-7 and National Street, realign side road and add acceleration lane to southbound U.S. 69; Newton - Junction of U.S. 50 and Anderson, acceleration and deceleration lanes at Anderson; Winfield - Main Street from south of 14th Avenue to 12th Avenue, curb and gutter, storm sewer, ramps and improve cross slope; Jetmore – U.S. 283 (Main Street) from the Buckner Creek bridge north to Tucker Street, reconstruction; Leoti – K-96 from Indian Street to Waters Street, curb and gutter and storm sewer.

Economic Development – Eight projects

Lyon County – Junction of U.S. 50 and Road F, widen for acceleration lanes and center turn lanes; Wabaunsee County – County road 1072, from K-4 east 2.5 miles, surfacing; Goodland - County road 14, ½ mile north of I-70 Exit No. 12 and County Road 65, reconstruction; Fort Scott – 18th Street from National Street west 900 feet, realignment; Derby – Madison Avenue from west of Water Street east to Buckner then south to Cherry, partial new alignment and partial reconstruction; Barber County – County Road 1346 from U.S. 160 north to Sun City, reconstruction; Ulysses – Road K from U.S. 160 north 3.1 miles then west one mile to K-25, surfacing; Colwich – Wichita Avenue, Colwich Avenue and Crocker Street east of First Street, reconstruction, curb and gutter and storm sewer.

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