The future of an improved Highway 59 could be up in the air
State officials are warning that a potential shortfall in federal highway funds could jeopardize several projects in Kansas - including a 240 million dollar project to reconstruct Highway 59. Enlarge video
Topeka — Officials on Monday set off alarms about a potential shortfall in federal highway funds, which could jeopardize projects in Kansas, such as the widening of U.S. Highway 59 between Lawrence and Ottawa.
Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Deb Miller and Jack Basso, director of management and business development of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, will conduct a news conference at 9:30 a.m. today to talk about the issue.
State Sen. Les Donovan, R-Wichita, and chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said the possible reduction in federal highway dollars could jeopardize projects in the final years of the state's 10-year transportation plan, which started in 1999.
One of those projects is the $240 million reconstruction of U.S. 59, which was scheduled to be completed in 2011.
Officials said the federal highway fund is falling short because of flat gas sales tax receipts.
The Office of Management and Budget says the federal fund faces a $4.3 billion shortfall in two years. That means the federal government may have to reduce funding that it had earlier promised to the states.
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