BURLINGTON - Today, Governor Laura Kelly congratulated Coffey County for receiving $1 million in Cost Share funds as administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). The funds will be used to improve safety by adding acceleration and deceleration lanes at six intersections along U.S. 75.
“Congratulations to Coffey County 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 intersection improvements in Coffey County are among 20 transportation construction projects selected for the Fall 2021 Cost Share recipients.
According to Coffey County Engineer Wayne Blackbourn, the acceleration and deceleration lanes at the intersections will be built on the existing gravel shoulders of U.S. 75. No additional right-of-way or utility relocation will be required.
“We are doing more with less,” Blackbourn said. “You’ll have controlled turning and controlled acceleration as a result… people will all benefit from it.”
Blackbourn said the Cost Share project is scheduled to be let in August 2022, with construction completed by the following December. The estimated cost of construction is $1.4 million. Coffey County is providing a 28% funding match to KDOT’s $1 million.
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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