Last week our Ways and Means Committee heard from the Kansas Department of Transportation and Secretary Julie Lorenz, along with thirty other proponents that all supported the new ten-year comprehensive transportation program called FORWARD.
I have had the honor of serving on the transportation task force and I am pleased the way the new program has turned out.
The new program will cover the next ten years of road improvements for the state investing $9.9 billion. This program will guarantee a $8 million investment in all 105 counties as did the T-Works program. The FORWARD transportation program would create appropriations, including credit and credit enhancements to cities, and counties in meeting their responsibilities for the construction, improvement, reconstruction, and maintenance of transportation improvements.
KDOT has developed criteria for the incorporation of practical improvements to project designs. The assistance would include, but not limited to special city and county highway fund distributions totaling $1.6 billion, cost share strategic safety and local bridge programs totaling $300 million.
There will be dollars put into the program for federal aid for state funds exchange, a program for rail service improvements, a program for aviation assistance, a program for transit assistance, transportation technology, multimedia program for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Also included in this program will be $5 billion for preservation and maintenance. Something new in this program is preservation plus which is a city, county, state match for local projects.
The first thing to be done in this new program will be the completion of the delayed projects from the last transportation plan called T-Works. There will be $200 million available for economic growth projects and $200 million for modal programs.
One big difference the new FORWARD program will allow communities to update important projects every two years
SB 283 passed the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs and will head for debate on the Senate floor this week. The bill essentially amends the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act to allow sports wagering to be conducted through existing gaming facilities. The bill does not extend to Kansas lottery ticket merchants and other retailers and contains several amendments since its introduction.
This week we are getting ready for Town Hall Meetings. I invite everyone to join us at one of the following locations:
Friday February 28th - Ellis Public Library 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Palco-McKenna Center on Main Street 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Phillipsburg-Huck Boyd Community Center 11:15-12:15
Norton Library-Community Room 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Hill City-Graham Co. Courthouse, Commissioner’s Office 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Saturday February 29th – Sharon Springs- CAB Building 8:00-9:00 a.m. MT
Goodland-Farm Bureau 1610 Main 9:30-10:30 a.m. MT
St. Francis Library 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Atwood Jamboree Deli 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Oberlin-BEE Building 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday March 3rd -Colby-Colby Community College, Student Union Room 106 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Oakley-Buffalo Bill Cultural Center 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Hoxie-Midwest Energy Meeting Room-916 Sheridan 11:00-12:00
Quinter-Center Pivot-300 Main 1:00-2:00 p.m.
WaKeeney-Sale Barn 24088 G Terra