Federal grants brought a huge influx of cash to transportation projects in recent years, Kansas Department of Transportation leaders reported at Thursday’s Local Consult meeting.
In addition to seeking input on projects, the state officials also outlined opportunities for communities to take advantage of those grants. During breakout sessions, KDOT officials identified staff members who could help.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation in particular will provide millions of dollars to help the state and its communities. A Kansas Infrastructure Hub has $215 million to provide technical support ($15 million) and a new “match support” that will provide a total of $200 million for gap funding to help communities meet a grant’s match requirements.
“This is really about leverage, using that $200 million as a lever to bring up to $800 million to Kansas to make an even bigger impact,” Reed said.
Though roads and bridges get most of the attention when it comes to transportation needs, KDOT officials noted “transportation” includes much more than that.
It’s also about airports, railways, public transit, bicycles, pedestrian traffic and even new technology such as broadband internet services and electric vehicle charging stations.
In 2022, KDOT awarded $11 million for 66 aviation projects; $13 million for transit programs to serve 6.6 million riders; $5 million for nine short-line railroad projects; and $28 million for 32 bike/pedestrian projects in 28 counties.
Allen County has benefited from some of those grants, particularly at the airport.
Regarding new technology, the Kansas Office of Broadband Development has awarded nearly $43 million in grants to address the so-called “Middle Mile” that connects large servers around the world to internet service providers and customers. Those grants added 682 miles of fiber to serve 27,000 homes.
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program also has approved $39.5 million to Charge Up Kansas, a plan that would add electric vehicle charging stations to 1,600 miles of Kansas highways. Charging stations are planned along I-35 and I-135 to form north-south corridors, and along I-70 and U.S. 400 from the west and east.
But an expected surge in electric vehicles adds new concerns for the future of transportation, Reed noted. The state relies on a motor fuels tax for much of its funding for improvements. As more motorists transition to electric vehicles, the state will need to reconsider its funding model. KDOT has been studying options for a road usage charge, common in other states.
