Print edition: 
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The state is speeding up $50 million worth of road projects, including an estimated $8.2 million in south-central Kansas.
The projects, part of the 10-year, $8 billion T-Works transportation program, are being accelerated because of low construction rates and low inflation.
Democratic leaders suggested speeding up the projects last fall.
The decision to do so was announced Friday by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley and House Minority Leader Paul Davis, the legislature’s top Democrats.
"We can work together to create jobs," Brownback said. "People of Kansas expect us to work together to move the state’s economy forward."
He said the acceleration could create approximately 475 construction jobs and another 900 non-construction jobs as a result of a ripple effect. The Federal Highway Administration’s multipliers suggest transportation projects can affect other businesses, such as restaurants and gas stations.
Bidding could start as early as this summer, said Barb Rankin, acting secretary of transportation.
The projects are mostly repair and reconstruction of roads and bridges. Many of the projects had been scheduled for next year; others did not have a start date.
Two of the 32 projects are in Sedgwick County. One is a $578,000 bridge repair project to resurface bridge decks on K-96 near the Kansas Turnpike interchange. The other is $363,000 worth of preservation work on 1.9 miles of K-42 from the Sumner/Sedgwick county line to the K-42/K-49 junction.
Other projects in south-central Kansas:
• Preservation of K-14 from K-14/U.S. 54 junction north to the Kingman-Reno county line, $899,658
• Preservation of K-14 from the Kingman-Reno county line north to the K-14/K-61 junction, $1,320,000
• Preservation of K-42 from the K-42/K-2 junction east to the Sedgwick-Sumner county line, $1,251,710
• Preservation of U.S. 281 from Great Bend north to Hoisington, $1,051,970
• Preservation of U.S. 281 from the Barton-Stafford county line north to Great Bend, $625,670
• Preservation of U.S. 54 from the K-17/U.S. 54 junction east to the Kingman-Sedgwick county line, $2,130,240
Contributing: Associated Press
