Kansas City, Kan. — Plans for a new interchange along the South Lawrence Trafficway could become reality as part of a federal economic stimulus package being anticipated by state transportation officials.
Deb Miller, Kansas transportation secretary, told a crowd of 150 engineers, planners and government officials Wednesday that her department had compiled lists of projects that could be financed with federal stimulus money.
President-elect Barack Obama is promoting a recovery plan that would feature spending on roads and other infrastructure projects, energy-efficient government buildings, new and renovated schools and environmentally friendly technologies.
Projects could be started within six months or a year, and would cost an estimated $1.28 billion. Among the projects that could be started within a year: $10 million to add an interchange along the trafficway at Bob Billings Parkway.
Also possible: $100 million to add two lanes to a six-mile stretch of Kansas Highway 10, either in Douglas or Johnson counties.
“Everything that we’re hearing points us in the direction that there will be an economic stimulus package, and I think it will be of substantial size,” Miller said during a transportation summit in Kansas City, Kan. “We’re certainly, at the Department of Transportation … trying to get ourselves put into a position so that we can quickly and effectively utilize any resources.”
Miller emphasized that the lists were by no means complete, considering that they did not include any transit or rail projects. But the key is having work lined up the instant federal officials come through with money to get the economy moving.
“This is not a list of the highest priorities in the state of Kansas,” she said. “This is a list of the work we could get moving quickly, that we think is the most valuable.
“We just decided it was worth taking a risk that we’re going to get a big bill, so we started moving forward, contacting consultants, really trying to craft the program to be sure that we’ll be in good shape so that we’re able to effectively spend these dollars for Kansas.”
Sen. Sam Brownback, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, acknowledged that the package likely would be large: $500 billion to $1 trillion, with a “fair amount” of it in “green” projects.
“That’s what I’m hearing,” the Kansas Republican said, having already cautioned that he wasn’t inside the loop. “I’m not being solicited so much by the Obama administration on anything. I’d like to be, but I’m not.”
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consumer1 (anonymous) says…
Poetic Justice, A liberal President giving the state the money it needs to finish the bypass. Let the whining and whimpering begin. Oh, I guess the whining will have to wait until about 10:30 until the lefties have their Latte's. Har har har har har!!!
Liberty_One (anonymous) says…
More wasteful spending and malinvestment by the government. And you really thought that Obama would bring "change"?
Trobs (anonymous) says…
I don't like Obama. He is not change. He is a typical politician. This move however improves my view of him. If for no other reason then poetic justice. The hippies and tree huggers have tried to hold up the SLT for years. Finally funding will come along, from the new Democrat President. Justice indeed.
cg22165 (anonymous) says…
Curious that we couldn't get this done 10 years ago when there was a budget surplus and now we can, or might.
Trobs (anonymous) says…
cg - Our government has no idea how to operate without blowing up the budget.
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
It has NEVER been about the money. It has always been the far left trying to control the masses. That is why it is so funny that Obama is going to finish the SLT.... Again har har har har har har......Whew!
jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…
Git R Done
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
This is freakish. The liberal candidate's administration will free up "green" funds to build a road that local tree huggers have successfully fought throughout the administration of an oil-loving conservative president.You couldn't make this up. It's crazy. Whatever. Why vote?
somebodynew (anonymous) says…
OK, could some of you people at least read the article, or even the headline???This is NOT about finishing the SLT. (Lord, I wish it was) it is about building an interchange on the part that is already done. This way Bob Billings (15th Street) would connect.
jengaman (anonymous) says…
Touche somebodynew. Touche.
shutnmdown (anonymous) says…
If you don't like what he's doing, then you run for president next time..bet you won't win
somebodynew (anonymous) says…
Thanks, jengamen - I try not to pick on people, but sometimes it just gets too much. I understand these posts go off base quite a bit, but I at least want to stay close to what the article says.
honestone (anonymous) says…
"Somebodynew" is right. It isn't about the SLT. I can see multiple interchanges in addition to Bob Billings along this route thereby slowing it all down which is what the Johnson County bound people don't want...and"consumer1 (Anonymous) says… It has NEVER been about the money. It has always been the far left trying to control the masses. That is why it is so funny that Obama is going to finish the SLT…. Again har har har har har har……Whew!"It has been about the money...the money that would be made along the current alignment...why else would they spend more on the court battles they knew would occur then it would have cost to realign the orginal plans in the first place? Remember that was why they didn't want to realign the SLT. Again har har har har har har……Whew!"
shutnmdown (anonymous) says…
put your knowledge of know it all and hows to the test, suggesting what should be done is foolish unless you do it then talk about it;;;;.......'''''''////////////??????@@@###$$$%%%