Guiding Principles of the IKE Program

The IKE program is built on four guiding principles to provide effective and future-proof transportation investments for Kansans: 

Flexible and Responsive: 

• IKE uses a two-year rolling program to adapt to economic and technological changes. 
• Emphasizes preservation projects to protect and extend transportation investments. 
• Allows for adjustments in project priorities and scopes to meet current and future needs. 

Problem Solving: 

• Addresses transportation challenges impacting health, safety, jobs, and family time. 
• Encourages holistic solutions, integrating safety improvements and broadband connectivity. 
• Supports diverse transportation options, including rail, aviation, public transit, and more. 

Leveraging Partnerships: 

• Collaborates with local communities to maximize resources and input. 
• Increases funding flexibility to tailor projects to specific needs. 
• Promotes community involvement and local matching for project selection. 

Transparency & Accountability: 

• Provides public visibility of fund usage and project progress. 
• Regular updates and reporting to maintain accountability. 
• New resources and metrics to provide data to policymakers and the public.

IKE Program Funding

The IKE program includes significant investments across various categories to maintain and improve Kansas' transportation system: 

• Preservation: $5.0B 
• Preservation + Innovation Technology: $300M 
• Modernization/Expansion: $2.3B 
• Economic Development: $200M 
• Modes (Aviation, Transit, etc.): $200M 
• Cost Share/Safety/Local Bridge: $300M 
• Special City/County Highway Fund: $1.6B 
• City Connecting Link: $40.7M 

IKE Transparency and Accountability

IKE Program Accountability

Five-Year Investment Targets

The IKE Program is designed to be transparent, allowing Kansans to track how funds are being used.

As directed in the IKE legislation, before any IKE modernization or expansion projects began, at least one phase of all delayed T-WORKS projects were let to construction. Being let to construction means KDOT has put a project out for bid and it has been awarded to a contractor.

• Modernization and Expansion: Minimum investment levels are set for each district, with at least 40% of the minimum amount to be let to construction by 2025.
• Preservation:The majority of the program's investment, with all projects to be let to construction by 2030.
• IKE Program Details Fact Sheet

More Information on Five-Year Investment Targets

$8 Million Promise

Governor Laura Kelly, the Kansas Legislature, and KDOT have committed to investing at least $8 million in each Kansas county. This promise includes investments in highway preservation, expansion, modernization, aviation, transit, rail, bicycle/pedestrian projects, and other areas addressing technology and economic development.

More Information on the $8 Million Promise

To deliver transparency for large transportation projects, KDOT provides detailed information about IKE projects with construction costs over $5 million. This includes general project information, bid costs, and the awarded contractor. Updates are provided monthly, and a full list of bids is included in KDOT’s Annual Report Appendix each January. 

By maintaining transparency and accountability, KDOT aims to use transportation funds efficiently and effectively, supporting the state's infrastructure and economic growth.

More Information on projects over $5 million

History of IKE

The Power of "And" - Part 1: "The Father of the Interstate System" 

The IKE program is named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who championed the Interstate Highway System. He envisioned it as more than just a network of roads, but as the Interstate AND Defense Highways. His experience as Supreme Allied Commander during WWII, particularly during the D-Day operations, highlighted the importance of efficient transportation for military logistics. 

Eisenhower's Red Ball Highway, a system of expressways in Europe, demonstrated the power of rapid and organized transport. This concept influenced his vision for the U.S. Interstate System, which he later implemented as President. His early experiences, including the 1919 Transcontinental Motor Convoy, underscored the need for a unified and robust road network.

Lessons from Ike for IKE: 

• Listen and Learn: Good ideas can come from anywhere, including the private sector. 
• Safety First: Providing safe travel for everyone is paramount. 
• Beyond Concrete and Asphalt: Transportation is a public good that drives progress and connectivity. 

Part 2: The Program 

The IKE program, supported by bipartisan legislation and signed by Governor Laura Kelly on April 2, 2020, aims to fund Kansas' transportation infrastructure for the next decade. The first 40 highway expansion and modernization projects were announced on May 14, 2020, marking the beginning of this ambitious initiative. 

Kansas has a long history of committing to statewide infrastructure improvement programs, starting in 1991. The state's strategic location, within a two-day drive to 85% of the nation, and its rich natural resources, particularly in agriculture, make transportation a vital economic lifeline. 

Kansas has implemented several 10-year transportation programs to maintain and enhance these lifelines: 

• Comprehensive Highway Program (CHP): 1991 - 1999 
• Comprehensive Transportation Program (CTP): 2000 - 2009 
• T-WORKS: 2010 - 2019 
• Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE): 2020 – 2029 

Each program under IKE focuses on strengthening the transportation system to meet both current and future needs, providing continued support for commerce and connectivity across the state. 

IKE Program Management Consultant (PMC)

The IKE Program is a 10-year initiative with many components, requiring timely, budget-conscious, and transparent delivery. To achieve these goals, KDOT employs a Program Management Consultant (PMC). This approach combines in-house management with external expertise, leveraging a broader range of talents and best practices from the private sector. 

Role of the PMC 

• Project Management: The PMC oversees a portion of the IKE Program's Expansion and Modernization projects, working with KDOT staff on right-of-way acquisition, environmental requirements, and project design. 
• Construction Support: They may assist with construction engineering and inspection for ongoing projects if needed. 
• Consultant Procurement: While KDOT selects consultants, the PMC aids in the procurement process and helps manage contractor and inspector partnerships. 

Who is the PMC for the IKE Program? 

IKE Transportation Partners, a joint venture between Burns & McDonnell and Garver, serves as the PMC. This partnership combines extensive experience with KDOT processes, large program management, and innovative project controls. 

• Burns & McDonnell: With over 40 years of advising on KDOT projects, they bring expertise in policy development, long-range planning, safety analysis, and public engagement. 
• Garver: Known for managing design consultants and contractors, Garver's experience with the Arkansas DOT's Connecting Arkansas Program (CAP) brings valuable insights to the IKE Program. 

Together, these firms assist in the successful delivery of the IKE Program, supporting KDOT's mission to enhance Kansas' transportation infrastructure.