COLBY – Today, Governor Laura Kelly congratulated the City of Colby for receiving $1 million in Cost Share funds as administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). The funds will be used to continue improvements on County Club Drive.
“Congratulations to the City of Colby for receiving $1 million in the latest round of Cost Share funding,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “By working with our local partners to invest in our communities, our Cost Share program is improving road safety, mobility, and helping recruit new families and businesses to our state. This project is proof that when we work together to make smart investments in our foundation, all Kansans see results.”
A component of the Kelly Administration’s 10-year, bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, or IKE, the Cost Share program is designed to help rural and urban areas advance transportation projects to improve safety, support job retention and growth, relieve congestion, and improve access and mobility. The Colby project was among 20 transportation construction projects selected for the Fall 2021 Cost Share recipients.
Project work will include reconstructing and widening Country Club Drive from E College Drive north to the Union Pacific Railroad crossing. New curb and gutter and drainage structures will also be built. The project is a continuation of the Country Club Drive project currently being constructed from I-70 to E College Drive.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to improve a part of this busy corridor,” said Colby Mayor Gary Adrian. “Country Club Drive is quickly growing as the main connecting route from U.S. 24 to I-70 and this project will help with much needed repairs.”
The total project cost is approximately $1.7 million, with the City of Colby funding roughly 42%.
Demand is high for Cost Share transportation dollars. Michelle Needham, Economic Development Programs Manager for KDOT, said 84 communities requested more than $54.5 million in funding for this, the fifth round of the Cost Share program.
“KDOT was impressed with how this round of Cost Share projects hit markers for economic development, safety and community support,” said Needham. “KDOT and our Cost Share partners are working collaboratively to expedite delivery on selected projects.”
KDOT is investing $9.4 million in this cycle of Cost Share, leveraging more than $5.3 million in community matching dollars, a total of $14.8 million in funding through state and local partnerships. Over the initial five rounds of Cost Share, more than 100 projects have received more than $96 million in state funding.
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