Gov. Laura Kelly was in Westmoreland Tuesday to announce more than $40 million will support 33 local and off-system bridge projects across the state in fiscal year 2024, including one in rural Pottawatomie County.
Joined by Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz and Pottawatomie County Commission Chair Pat Weixelman, Gov. Kelly highlighted the local project along Armstrong Road over Vermillion Creek, just northeast of Havensville. It’s one of just two in the area that crosses the creek.
“Without it, locals would have to drive a long way out of their way to get home. But the bridge was built in 1910 and it’s no longer safe. With this announcement, Pottawatomie County is receiving $1 million and is committing its own funds, to finally replace that bridge,” she said.
Commissioner Weixelman noted the cost-sharing will help immensely. The county contributed a local match of about $147,000.
“This structure, upon completion, will be used everyday for at least the next 60 years. That’s getting a bang for your buck over a period of time. I look forward to the financial help that they (state/federal government) give us in the future,” he said.
The Pottawatomie County project is one of 22 off-system bridge program projects announced, totaling $20.5 million. That program provides funds to replace or rehabilitate bridges not included in the federal-aid system. The program will also support a $950,000 project along Old Milford road northeast of Junction City and a $930,000 project along Fairfield Road over Hendricks Creek, northeast of Alma.
In addition, 11 Local Bridge Improvement Program projects were announced, totaling $21 million. That program provides funds to replace or rehabilitate city and county-owned bridges throughout Kansas. The programs were re-shaped to take advantage of new revenue streams generated by the federally approved Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Outgoing Kansas Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz praised the governor’s efforts to shut down the so-called Bank of KDOT, by not diverting any funds to general government uses.
“Instead of putting those on state highways, we can share that money with local government. With cities and counties. It doesn’t matter how good our state highway system is, if you can’t get to it — if you can’t get across a local bridge.
A complete list of the projects that will take advantage of the two programs is shared below.
|
Kansas – 2024 Off-System Bridge (OSB) Program Projects |
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|
County |
Bridge Location |
Local Cost |
Local Cost % |
Total Funds Awarded (covering 100% of construction and CE) |
|
Brown County |
1 mile south of Fairview – carrying 220th west of U.S. 75 |
$49,141 |
7.9% |
$570,000 |
|
Pottawatomie County |
Armstrong Road over Vermillion Creek – 2 miles north, 1 mile east of Havensville |
$147,423 |
11.3% |
$1,160,000 |
|
Wabaunsee County |
Fairfield Road over Hendricks Creek – 1 mile north, .2 mile east of Alma |
$89,546 |
8.8% |
$930,000 |
|
Chase County |
Main Street over Cottonwood River – .8 mile west of Cedar Point |
$125,583 |
6.7% |
$1,740,000 |
|
Geary County |
Old Milford Road – 3 miles north, 1 mile west of Junction City |
$94,460 |
9.0% |
$950,000 |
|
Jewell County |
1.3 miles south, 6 miles west of Mankato |
$185,863 |
16.4% |
$950,000 |
|
Ottawa County |
Laramie Road – west of Minneapolis |
$87,362 |
4.7% |
$1,790,000 |
|
Ellis County |
370th Avenue over Big Creek – 6 miles south, and 1 mile west of Walker |
$50,233 |
4.0% |
$1,210,000 |
|
Osborne County |
S 180th Avenue – 1 mile south, .7 mile west of Covert |
$49,141 |
6.6% |
$700,000 |
|
Phillips County |
Kiowa Road – 6.5 miles north, .5 mile west of Agra |
$50,233 |
6.1% |
$770,000 |
|
Rawlins County |
0.8 mile south, 2.2 miles west of Blakeman |
$44,773 |
8.2% |
$500,000 |
|
Rooks County |
2.2 miles south, 2.5 miles east of Plainville |
$44,773 |
8.1% |
$510,000 |
|
Smith County |
2.7 miles south, 7 miles east of Smith Center |
$50,779 |
4.7% |
$1,040,000 |
|
Chautauqua County |
0.6 mile south, 2 miles east of Cedarvale |
$60,061 |
9.1% |
$600,000 |
|
Labette County |
25000 Road, 4 miles east of Parsons |
$103,742 |
9.8% |
$960,000 |
|
Montgomery County |
1800 Road, 1.5 miles east of Coffeyville |
$70,982 |
4.5% |
$1,490,000 |
|
Butler County |
SW Prairie Creek Road over Eight Mile Creek – 1 mile east, 1.3 miles north of Rose Hill |
$147,423 |
24.3% |
$460,000 |
|
Kingman County |
SE 100 Street – 3.2 miles north, .2 mile west of Rago over Rose Bud Creek |
$27,301 |
4.7% |
$550,000 |
|
Pawnee County |
40th Avenue – 7 miles east, 4.5 miles north of Larned |
$60,061 |
5.7% |
$990,000 |
|
Reno County |
Victory Road over Little Arkansas River – .5 mile east, 2 miles south of Buhler |
$62,245 |
7.1% |
$820,000 |
|
Stafford County |
NE 130th Avenue – 7.1 miles north, 13.5 miles east of St. John |
$65,521 |
5.2% |
$1,200,000 |
|
Ness County |
2 miles north, 4 miles east of Beeler |
$87,362 |
12.5% |
$610,000 |
|
Totals |
$1,754,008 |
7.9% |
$20,500,000 |
|
—
|
2023 Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program Projects |
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|
Local Government Agency |
Location |
Local Cost |
Local % Match Requirement |
Maximum KDOT Match Funds |
Funds for Bridge Removal |
Maximum Funds Awarded |
|
Atchison County |
314th Road over Deer Creek – 3.5 miles north of Atchison |
$127,313 |
15% |
$930,000 |
$90,000 |
$1,020,000 |
|
Cloud County |
190th Road over Republican River – 1.7 miles north, 4.4 miles east of Concordia |
$554,271 |
10% |
$4,173,000 |
$97,000 |
$4,270,000 |
|
Saline County |
McReynolds Road – 1 mile south, 1.5 miles east of Smolan |
$92,071 |
15% |
$350,000 |
$50,000 |
$400,000 |
|
Cheyenne County |
10 miles north, 3.5 miles west of St. Francis |
$ – |
0% |
$500,000 |
$50,000 |
$550,000 |
|
Gove County |
3.4 miles north, 2.6 miles east of Quinter |
$22,933 |
0% |
$450,000 |
$ – |
$450,000 |
|
Greenwood County |
1.6 miles west of Hamilton |
$ – |
5% |
$1,095,000 |
$215,000 |
$1,310,000 |
|
Neosho County |
2 miles north of Chanute |
$2,237,968 |
15% |
$5,400,000 |
$ – |
$5,400,000 |
|
Barber County |
Kingfisher Road – 3.1 miles north, 4.5 miles west of Hardtner |
$49,141 |
0% |
$700,000 |
$ – |
$700,000 |
|
Barton County |
East Barton County Road – 2.9 miles east of Great Bend |
$209,369 |
15% |
$1,000,000 |
$ – |
$1,000,000 |
|
Edwards County |
Q Road and 280th Avenue – 6.2 miles south, 1 mile east of Belpre |
$28,393 |
0% |
$450,000 |
$ – |
$450,000 |
|
Hamilton County |
Road B – 1 mile south of Coolidge |
$283,926 |
0% |
$5,450,000 |
$ – |
$5,450,000 |
|
|
|
$3,605,385 |
|
$502,000 |
$21,000,000 |
|
