Traffic on U.S. Highway 59 south of Lawrence on Tuesday passes a home on a trailer ready to be relocated when the new Highway 59 is constructed just to the east of the current Highway 59. funding could be in jeopardy because of dwindling federal highway funds, officials say.
Highway 59 funds in jeopardy
Highway 59 is among projects that could be in jeopardy if federal highway funds are cut. Enlarge video
Topeka — A federal funding shortfall could jeopardize reconstruction of U.S. Highway 59 from Lawrence to Ottawa, and numerous other projects across Kansas, officials said Tuesday.
State and federal officials sounded the alarm about a projected $4.3 billion shortfall in the federal highway fund that if not addressed could result in a cut of $130 million to $150 million to Kansas for road projects.
If the cuts occurred, "without question it is going to delay some projects or eliminate some projects," Kansas Transportation Secretary Deb Miller said.
Miller said no decisions have been made on what would be cut, but she included a list of projects that would be let during the budget cycle that starts in October 2008, saying those would be considered.
That list included grading and bridge work from the Douglas-Franklin county line north 11 miles, along with surfacing work for a total of $110 million.
The list also included $4.5 million for research and development of advanced vehicle technology concepts at Kansas University, and $400,000 for a bike and pedestrian path along K-10 between Douglas and Johnson counties.
Among other projects were the $2.5 million reconstruction of an interchange at U.S. Highway 73 and 20th Street in Leavenworth, the $2 million reconstruction of De Soto Road in Lansing, and the $5.6 million replacement of the Topeka Boulevard Bridge in Topeka.
The funding problem is attributed to a slump in sales tax revenue from heavy truck sales that feeds into the highway fund, according to Peter J. "Jack" Basso, director of management and business development for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Basso said an increase in the motor vehicle fuels tax to bridge the shortfall is politically impossible.
But the Senate Finance Committee has approved a stopgap measure to shore up the highway fund. That includes increasing enforcement of fuel tax evasion, dipping into the federal general fund and getting credit for monies spent on emergency relief operations.
But Basso said President Bush opposes the measure, saying that highway officials should consider more toll roads and public-private partnerships as alternative ways to finance projects.
Basso urged state officials to contact their congressional representatives and ask them to work on the problem.
"It's going to take some real grass-roots effort," he said.
State Sen. Les Donovan, R-Wichita and chairman of the state Senate Transportation Committee, said even if the highway fund were fixed for the next fiscal year, it will face more shortfalls in the future because of the demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles.
In addition to sales taxes from heavy trucks, the federal highway fund is financed through motor vehicle fuel taxes.
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KsTwister (anonymous) says…
Rename the article for tomorrow --"How frivolous spending and roundabouts come back to bite taxpayers in the A@!!"
a_flock_of_jayhawks (anonymous) says…
how 'bout "paving roads in Iraq, but can't maintain our own infrastructure"
matahari (anonymous) says…
[quote]It's going to take some real grass-roots effort," he said.[/quote]
and we all know what that means! hey folks pay the price the the almightly privledge of driving an automobile...yes, I have one, but I drive less than 70 miles a week (more like 50) I spend about $5 a week on gas........I take the bus or bike or moped or walk, or don't go (stock up when I do go) and plan my out trips so no backtracking...
I feel for those who have to work outside of Lawrence and must commute, but I imagine the situation replicates or is worse elsewhere....
Driving is not longer considered an entertainment possibility. The reality is not a pretty one, Thanks Georgie!
Keith (anonymous) says…
Hey Marion, it's a Federal Highway, that used to mean all Americans paid for the upkeep through taxes, not just Kansans.
sleepylady (anonymous) says…
Makes "sense" to me!
toefungus (anonymous) says…
KDOT has been the biggest tax burden in the state. Over the years KDOT convinced the public and politicians that roads would be the key to Kansas' economic success. This has not proven true. Our population has not grown, our youth leave for jobs, and only the area surrounding Kansas City has grown. What we have done is build massive infrastructure to help others drive across the state for no cost. Some one earlier posted that this was a scare tactic to help boost taxes for roads. There is no money left in folks budgets for more taxes anyway, so they can scare all they want. But, at least the roads from KUMC to St. Lukes and Lawrence to Arrowhead are in pretty good shape. I wonder too if state and local governments are staking out claims to higher taxes as property values stagnate or decline.
benjaminlox (anonymous) says…
You ever wonder where all our money goes? It would be very very interesting if all these appropriated funds could be accounted for. Fleecing of America at its best. Who knows how much tax money is lining the pockets of these contractors that get these jobs. Expanding highway 59 serves as much purpose as putting another bank on a corner. As for making it a toll road?, that just leaves two major roads out of Larryville that wont cost money. Take a drive down 59, traffic is not bad, be sure to honk at the cows!
none2 (anonymous) says…
toefungus (Anonymous) says:
"...KDOT has been the biggest tax burden in the state. Over the years KDOT convinced the public and politicians that roads would be the key to Kansas' economic success. This has not proven true. Our population has not grown, our youth leave for jobs, and only the area surrounding Kansas City has grown. What we have done is build massive infrastructure to help others drive across the state for no cost..."
Kansas is the 14th largest state (geographically) in the country. Of course it is going to take a lot of roads to make all parts of the state accessible. What do you want us to do, just have roads around your neck of the woods, and let everybody else rely on the old Santa Fe, Oregon, Chisholm trail routes through the state? Plus if roads should only be maintained or expanded in areas with growth, then keep in mind that maybe we need to make sure that Lawrence doesn't get any road work since we aren't currently growing to any significant amount.
I would say that I'm surprised that we have the turnpike (toll road) from the KC area to south of Wichita, yet I-70 is free from Topeka on west. I would think that I-70 should also be a toll road too.