Office of Governor
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced over $8.77 million in federal funds will go toward 13 projects to enhance safety on rural roadways in Kansas. The effort is part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program.
“Kansas’ rural roads are an integral part of our state’s transportation system, playing a key role in connecting communities and supporting the Kansas economy,” Kelly said. “These funds will provide crucial assistance to local governments across Kansas as they deliver projects to improve safety in our rural communities.”
In addition to the $8.77 million in federal funding, nearly $1.4 million in local matching funds will make these projects possible. This year’s 13 HRRR projects were selected from 32 applications seeking $28.2 million in federal funds.
“More than 50% of Kansas’ fatal and serious injury crashes happen on the local road system,” said Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation Calvin Reed. “The High Risk Rural Roads Program targets funding where it will have the most impact in reducing roadway fatality and serious injury crashes.”
Projects in this program fall into one of two categories: Systemic – encompassing a local roadway network; or Site Specific.
Selected area projects and award amounts include:
Osborne County; Systemic; $365,000 award; County match N/A; Upgrade signing on all major and minor collectors north of U.S. 24 and west of U.S. 281
Pawnee County; Site Specific; $905,000 award; County match $160,000; Add 1-inch aggregate shoulders and improve slopes
Smith County; Systemic; $480,000 award; County match N/A; Upgrade signing on all major and minor collectors south of U.S. 36
Trego County; Systemic; $450,000 award; County match N/A; Upgrade signing on all rural local roads south of MCS9808 and west of U.S. 281