Topeka — A Senate committee has jumped into a dispute over the type of drainage pipe used in highway construction projects, expressing concern over a change in state policy to allow more metal pipe.
The issue arose as the Ways and Means Committee endorsed a $948.3 million Department of Transportation budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
The KDOT budget fluctuates with the timing of construction projects, and it would decrease by about $189 million, or 16.2 percent from current spending.
The agency has modified its policy to allow project engineers and designers to use corrugated metal pipe instead of concrete pipe in projects. KDOT estimates that the amount of concrete pipe it uses will drop from 75 percent to 45 percent.
Committee members said they had heard complaints from concrete pipe manufacturers, who note that most concrete pipe used in Kansas projects is produced in the state. Metal pipe is imported, they said.
"It's an issue we need to talk about," said Chairman Steve Morris, R-Hugoton. "We would just urge KDOT to take a look at it."
Before approving KDOT's budget on a voice vote, the committee added a rider saying that it is concerned about an increase in use of metal pipe and wants more information from the agency.
Sen. Dave Jackson, R-Topeka, proposed the rider, saying he is concerned that the move could hurt Kansas businesses.
According to KDOT, new metal pipe has an expected life of more than 50 years and can cost $30 per meter compared to $45 per meter of concrete pipe. In addition, the agency has said the policy is intended only to give engineers and designers more flexibility.
Jackson questioned the cost estimates and said concrete pipe lasts longer than metal pipe.
But Senate President Dave Kerr, R-Hutchinson, was reluctant to get into the controversy.
"We need to be very careful about what ought to be a design and engineering issue," he said.
The Senate committee also endorsed a separate bill appropriating nearly $105 million in fiscal 2002 for various capital improvement projects.
In doing so, the committee pared down some agencies' requests significantly.
The State Fair Board requested $25.4 million, a figure that included $24.7 million for a comprehensive repair of its buildings and grounds. The committee approved less than $742,000, deferring a decision on the comprehensive repairs until the end of the legislative session.
The committee also gave the Kansas State Historical Society only $75,000 out of the more than $1.27 million it sought. Most of the request was for preservation and development of historical sites.
Committee members said they would look for ways to provide money for the society's projects. The society wanted to pay for them with general tax dollars.
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