Despite serious budget problems, the citizens of Kansas still want the Comprehensive Transportation Program funded and the promised projects built. That’s the finding of the Transportation 2000 Task Force, a group of government, business and community leaders, appointed by Governor Bill Graves.
The T-2000 group held public meetings across Kansas gathering the opinions and comments of hundreds of Kansas residents. In the report presented to Governor Graves this week, the group states, “The citizens of Kansas overwhelmingly support the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, are opposed to any funding reductions in the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, are alarmed at how State Highway Fund dollars are being used to balance the state budget, and are demanding that the promises made when the Comprehensive Transportation Plan passed in 1999 be kept.”
The City of Wichita has secured funding for two major local transportation projects through the Kansas Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The State has promised $50-million in construction funding for the Central Rail Corridor and $35-million in construction funding for the Kellogg and Rock Road portion of the Kellogg Freeway project. Both projects have been designed and construction is scheduled to start in 2003. There is concern that the Legislature will break its commitments to help pay for the two Wichita projects. The Transportation Program also helps pay for vital public transit for the disabled. That money is also at risk.
The full text of the report can be found on the internet at http://www.ksdot.org/ under Public Information. Kansas Department of Transportation News Contact: Marty Matthews (785) 296-3585.