Here's what we know about transportation funding for 16 Kansas roadways, rails and more

Jack Harvel, Topeka Capital-Journal
·2 min read

The Louisville Road Bridge over Rock Creek in Pottawatomie County is one of 16 transportation projects that will get repairs under the Kansas Department of Transportation's cost share program.

Pottawatomie County Commissioner Dee McKee said the road has been an issue for years, and it's been unsafe for students traveling to Rock Creek High School.

"This particular road, the Louisville Road, connects one body of students to their new school out at Rock Creek. And that road has been a challenge for us," McKee said during a Tuesday news conference. "Last year, a 3-foot hole fell in it, and that brought it to the focus again."

The project is one of 16 across the state funded by a mix of state dollars and money from cities or counties. Pottawatomie County contributed 60% of the $1.4 million project, with the state footing the other 40% of the bill.

Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday shares what the 16 new cost share projects through the Kansas Department of Transportation will entail with representatives from three of the counties that will be receiving funds.
Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday shares what the 16 new cost share projects through the Kansas Department of Transportation will entail with representatives from three of the counties that will be receiving funds.

The Cost Share program can go to any type of transportation investment, including roadways, rail, airports, walking paths and transit. The local applicants must commit to paying at least 15% of the project's costs but are given additional consideration if it commits more than the minimum.

It's the eighth round of funding released under the cost sharing program, which was created in Fall 2019. Since then, it's distributed more than $140 million for 165 projects across the state, with the latest round being the largest amount distributed in the program's history.

"The cost share program is built on a central premise that no one can better pinpoint a community's transportation needs than the people who actually live and work," Gov. Laura Kelly said Tuesday. "Since then, the state of Kansas and local governments have worked together on projects to improve safety, support job retention and growth, relieve congestion, and generally make it easier to travel anywhere in the state."

Here's where transportation projects are being funded in Kansas

In the most recent round of funding, projects were financed in the following towns or counties:

  • Abilene.

  • Baldwin City.

  • Deerfield.

  • Halstead.

  • Harper.

  • Haysville.

  • Hillsboro.

  • Jennings.

  • Parsons.

  • Salina.

  • Syracuse.

  • Atchison County.

  • Brown County.

  • Clark and Comanche County.

  • Pottawatomie County.

  • Russell County.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: KDOT awards $12M to 16 communities, including Pottawatomie County