By SALINA POST
Governor Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed announced Tuesday that more than $12 million state dollars will be awarded to 16 transportation construction projects across Kansas through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Cost Share Program for fall 2023.
This investment will leverage $7.2 million in community matching dollars for a total investment of over $19 million.
“No one can better pinpoint a community’s transportation needs than the people who actually live and work there,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “That’s why we’ve partnered with local communities to invest a total of $19 million in projects that will improve safety, support job retention, relieve congestion, and make it easier to travel across the state.”
The Cost Share Program was created as part of the Kelly administration’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, or IKE.
Joining Governor Kelly and Secretary Reed for the announcement were representatives from Atchinson and Pottawatomie counties and the City of Baldwin City, all among the funding recipients in this round of Cost Share awards. Each spoke of the program’s benefits to their respective communities.
Enhancements supported in this ninth round of Cost Share included county road improvements, bridge repairs, and safety improvements for roadways and walkways. With financial assistance from KDOT’s Kansas Active Transportation Enhancement (KATE), Cost Share was able to fund extra bike/ped projects and extend the reach of the program.
“It was very much evident during KDOT’s recent Local Consult listening tour how much the Cost Share program is appreciated across the state,” said Secretary Reed. “Kansans acknowledge how much Cost Share has resulted in much-needed and impactful community-based improvement projects.”
Secretary Reed noted the Cost Share Program has invested nearly $140 million in state funding toward 165 projects since the program was founded in the fall of 2019. An additional $100 million in matching local funds has been contributed.
After Governor Kelly announced the recipients of the Cost Share Funds, Salina Post spoke with Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Renee Duxler to learn more about the Magnolia Road project. Duxler said the total cost of the project, and all the proposed phases, would cost $10 million.
"It was on our legislative agenda last year and it will be on our agenda when we release it for 2024," Duxler said. "Due to the continued economic growth, improving the roadway would benefit the airport industrial complex, the housing developments that are going on in that area, and then certainly to Kansas State University Salina."
Duxler said Phase One will receive funding allocated via the Cost Share Program, but the project plans for more phases.
Future phases of the Magnolia Road Improvement Project would upgrade the roadway to a three laned road with medians and turn lanes. The project also plans to add a 10 foot wide hike and bike trail on the south side of the road and a sidewalk on the north side.
"That also includes street lighting, landscaping, and public art as well as bridge and culvert replacements and widening the railroad crossing," Duxler said.
Public Works Director for the City of Salina, Jim Teutsch said Phase One extends approximately half a mile west from the southbound Interstate 135 ramps and includes just beyond Virginia Drive.
We're extremely pleased with this latest opportunity. It's a $1.5 million award from KDOT," Teutsch said. "The city will be contributing another million dollars for a total of $2.5 million. It's a huge project that is one of the largest transportation connections that we need to make."
Magnolia Road serves as an important transportation artery that many residents use daily to get to work, school, or Interstate 135.
"More than 100 businesses and organizations are currently operating within that connecting area," Teutsch said. "I think it's vitally important to be able to connect that part of Salina with the downtown retail area and other businesses."
Fall 2023 Cost Share recipients:
City of Abilene – 14th Street and North Van Buren Street intersection
City of Baldwin City – U.S. 56– Pedestrian Crossing Safety improvements
City of Deerfield – Main Street reconstruction project
City of Halstead – North Street reconstruction and sidewalk improvements
City of Harper – Ash and Walnut streets restoration
City of Haysville – South Broadway pedestrian pathway project
City of Hillsboro – Adams Street improvements
City of Jennings – Chip seal city streets
City of Parsons – Main Street sidewalk replacement
City of Salina – West Magnolia Road – Phase 1
City of Syracuse – New Syracuse Street signs
Atchison County – Ottawa Road (RS 21) roadway rehabilitation and safety improvements
Brown County – 270th Street rehabilitation
Clark and Comanche Counties – Clark and Comanche Counties pavement improvement project
Pottawatomie County – Louisville Road bridge over Rock Creek
Russell County – Hell Creek Bridge (FAS 420) – Overlay and repairs
A map of this round of Cost Share projects can be found here.
More information about KDOT’s Cost Share Program is on KDOT’s website at https://www.ksdot.org/CostShare/CostShareProgram.asp.