Smart transportation investments are a team effort

A strong transportation system is critical to developing and expanding commerce. Quality transportation infrastructure also makes Kansans safer, reduces shipping costs, and connects rural and urban areas. It should serve people and grow our economy.

What better way to ensure that it does that than by allowing everyone the opportunity to shape the investment?

That’s the goal of KDOT’s new Cost Share program, which is a welcome approach for how the state, cities, counties and businesses can work together to generate more economic opportunities for Kansas. These projects are nearly 50-50 funding partnerships between the state and local entities to enhance safety, support jobs and improve our transportation system.

Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz recently announced $20 million of cost-share projects across Kansas, with more than $4 million awarded to south central Kansas in communities like Kingman, Newton, Wichita, Augusta, Marion, and Peabody. Combined with the previous Cost Share investments announced this past fall, which included funding for the critical Wichita North Junction interchange, among others, this equates to $25 million being invested in our region for the year. These investments will address longstanding transportation needs, create jobs and deliver long-term economic opportunities.

As Kelly said, “Projects like infrastructure cost share are a perfect example of how government can make smart, economic innovations that will make our economy more dynamic and competitive.”

We agree.

These investments could not come at a better time. Our region is working to reignite our economy after the double-drenching of cold water from the 737 MAX production suspension and the COVID-induced recession. Fortunately, this round of Cost Share selections placed greater emphasis on projects that could be let to construction sooner, with nearly 25% of them estimated to begin by this fall.

Not only do state and local partnerships bring more funding to the table, they also ensure that projects are tailored to fit the specific needs of communities.

Kansas Sen. Carolyn McGinn, who co-chaired the legislative task force that recommended leveraging state transportation funding with local dollars, stated it this way: “The value of the Cost Share program is not only that the state and communities can work together to stretch their dollars, but also to craft solutions that best serve the community.”

Which solutions best serve the community? The South Central Kansas Transportation Coalition is helping to identify these needs in our region by bringing private sector leaders and government agencies together. The Coalition then advocates for these regionally significant infrastructure priorities to ensure our communities’ needs are met.

Here’s more good news: Thanks to the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE) the Kansas Legislature passed this year, KDOT will select projects more frequently and collaborate with communities in an ongoing fashion to craft the best solutions to transportation problems.

”Our economic recovery won’t wait on the red tape. KDOT is committed to doing all we can to cut through it to provide timely transportation investments,” KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz said. “We can expedite the delivery of projects and still be collaborative with our local partners.”

Let’s all work together to champion projects that have a positive impact on communities and businesses across our state, and get them delivered quickly.

This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 1:47 PM.