Kendra Bearden pumped 12 gallons of gas into her car this week at Eudora's Kwik Shop in preparation for her daily commute on Kansas Highway 10 to her job in Lenexa.
Reflecting on the $2.88 in fuel sales tax revenue her purchase contributed to the state, Bearden said she was doing enough to pay for highway improvements.
She and fellow K-10 commuters may soon be asked to do more as the Kansas Department of Transportation looks for ways to pay for two additional lanes that a 2005 study showed would be needed within five years on the highway from Kansas Highway 7 to Interstate 435.
In comments before the Senate Ways and Means Committee in Topeka earlier this month, K-10 was flagged as a possible toll road candidate because of its high traffic count.
"No, I don't want that," Bearden said. "I drive it every day. There's no other way to get (to work). I have to use K-10."
The motor fuel tax, a sales tax component and vehicle registration fees are the three sources of state funding for highway programs, said KDOT director of planning and development Terry Heidner. But those sources might need supplementing as his department looks to the future and funding for a new transportation plan.
KDOT's triad of funding sources aren't keeping up with the cost of building highways, Heidner said.
Another concern as KDOT planners look ahead is how existing funding sources could continue to pay for the program after it expires. The state borrowed $995 million before this year to pay for programs in the 1999 comprehensive transportation plan, and authority was given this year to issue another $210 million in bonds to help complete the project list.
Those realities have KDOT looking at other funding options.
KDOT is reviewing needs, traffic and demographic trends and revenue projections in anticipation of working with the Legislature to develop the next transportation plan, Heidner said.
Part of that review would look at what other states are doing, and that includes expansion of toll roads, Heidner said.
That option might also appeal to a Legislature reluctant to increase taxes or add to the state's debt.
Heidner said legislators have asked KDOT to study tolls for different Kansas roads in the past. But he said no such study had been conducted for 15 years and K-10 had never been studied.
Eudora Mayor Tom Pyle opposes converting the highway to a toll road.
"I say it's a money grab," Pyle said. "I'm not for it at all."
Making K-10 a toll road would harm the Eudora economy and economic development because motorists would be reluctant to deal with the hassle of paying tolls, Pyle said.
Should a K-10 toll be proposed, he would fight it, Pyle said.
A few miles up the road, however, De Soto Mayor Dave Anderson is open to the concept. Tolls could be limited to the new lanes, which would be reserved for those paying for express driving, he said.
"I think we can make it work with economic development," he said.
Anderson's idea that tolls be restricted to new lanes was a possibility, Heidner said.
"Other states have what are called hot lanes where those wanting to drive in less-congested traffic pay a toll and buses and car pools drive for free," Heidner said. "I'm not saying it's going to happen on K-10, but it's something worth looking at."
Comments
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KsTwister (anonymous) says…
If KDOT would quit funding projects like roundabouts there would be more in the budget. More toll roads? Most think Kansas is goofy for having the one here now.
Why take more from taxpayers for mismanagement mistakes? People in Lawrence who like the roundabouts say "the State pays for part of it anyway", then the State borrows from the Government and the Government borrows from China. Congrats, your current and future generations don't have anything. Blame yourself.
cnedwards (anonymous) says…
How about commuter train service instead of additional pavement????
lunacydetector (anonymous) says…
that would be even more expensive cnedwards.
OnlyTheOne (anonymous) says…
Absurd!
Look closely at JoCo. Constantly throwing lanes on crowded highways which allow more traffic so sprawl moves further out so they have to add more lanes so .......
dummies!
sourpuss (anonymous) says…
Let's make all the roads into Lawrence toll roads. That will really help Lawrence's prospects for attracting business.
I wonder, if they toll K-10, would they remove exits? It would be expensive to booth all of those access points. I guess you couldn't easily get to the airport for free after that.
Porter (anonymous) says…
"Most think Kansas is goofy for having the one here now."
Exactly. They think we're goofy because we ONLY have one. Many states have many, many toll roads.
merrill (anonymous) says…
All those lanes on 435 east fail to alleviate back up traffic during rush hours. One day all those who work downtown KC can buy a downtown loft and park those vehicles. All of a sudden they will have some extra bucks to spend on the finer things in life that which is not tons of gasoline or any other over priced fuel of the future.
Although highway miles in the proper vehicles pollute far less than inner city driving. Inner city driving is the polluting champion.
snowWI (anonymous) says…
Are more lanes really the solution? JoCO just continues to expand the number of lanes on the highways, while anyone who lives anywhere close to the highways gets all the noise of increased construction/traffic. All of the highways are also contributing even more to the "urban heat island effect."
Displayhawk (anonymous) says…
And of course KDOT won't let the people who actually use K-10 vote on this! Hell, it takes all kinds of studies and many traffic deaths before they would even put a light up at the intersection of Hwy 56 and 59!
KsTwister (anonymous) says…
Lawrence has increased its heat index compared to what it used too. Before 1999 it used to stay 3 degrees cooler than KC but not anymore. We have roundabouts and islands and roads going nowhere. Notice I left out sidewalks......because there many good ones. [ok, back to the subject]
KDot does have a website, but think catching the Dept head in Washington will do better. Now get outside and enjoy this before it heats up.
snowWI (anonymous) says…
KSTwister,
Kansas City still has a much larger urban heat island than Lawrence does. In fact, Lawrence Municipal Airport usually does read cooler than other reporting stations. I have friends in JoCO who hardly ever see temperatures below 0 because of the large urban heat island effect with highways, buildings, and houses everywhere.
budwhysir (anonymous) says…
Imagine that, make k-10 a toll road and collect even more money to keep the KU facilities in good working order. With all the money collected, why are roads in such bad shape???? I am sure a very small amount of this toll would be ear marked for improvements or repairs.
The simple fact of charging the citizens more money for everyday tasks has gotten out of hand. What will they do when everyone stops driving and rides the city busses??? Then how will we collect tax revenues? Just increase the amount of taxes on bus fares.
always4ever (anonymous) says…
I seriously hope they don't do it........ridiculous.
KS (anonymous) says…
This would be political sucicide for some legislators. It won't happen. Just another hair brained scheme of the liberal left wanting to get more of your money. Vote them out.
Ace_Ventura (anonymous) says…
Geeze whats next? Take taxes out of our tax refunds?
jimincountry (anonymous) says…
It will not happen! Who is bringing this dumb proposition before the public should be question to be pursued/uncovered!
KsTwister (anonymous) says…
Ask Brownback or Roberts and go from there.
Thats_messed_up (anonymous) says…
Merrill wrote: "Although highway miles in the proper vehicles pollute far less than inner city driving. Inner city driving is the polluting champion."
Yeah Merrill and your probably one of the Baker wetland mosquito lovers that refuse to complete the SLT!!!!!!! so 30,000 commuter cars sit idling and accelerating 20 times through Lawrence every day. Idiots!
bytheway (anonymous) says…
Kendra!!! I haven't seen Kendra in years!!! I hope she is doing well. I wonder if her Mom still works at LMH? Anyways. That is crazy. A toll road between Lawrence & Lenexa. This isn't Jersey! Why would anyone want to put a toll road between the two cities? They can't allocate funds elsewhere? What a sad government we have.