Topeka — State officials on Friday announced putting 32 road projects worth nearly $50 million in the fast lane to take advantage of low construction prices and spur job growth, officials said.
"By starting these projects ahead of schedule, we can create hundreds of construction jobs sooner than planned and provide an economic benefit to thousands of Kansans and businesses," said Gov. Sam Brownback.
The highway acceleration proposal was part of legislative Democrats' Kansas Jobs First plan. Democrats thanked Brownback, a Republican, for moving forward with the plan, and Brownback said the Democratic proposal was a good one.
Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka said the accelerated projects will help the economy and "hundreds of Kansas families trying to make ends meet."
The projects are mostly road rehabilitation, preservation and bridge repairs. The total is worth $49.8 million, and will produce 470 construction jobs and another 900 indirect jobs, officials said. Construction can start this fall, Kansas Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Barbara Rankin said.
Many of the projects had initially been scheduled to start in 2013 or later, Rankin said.
There are seven projects in northeast Kansas worth $15.1 million but none were in Douglas County. The most expensive one in northeast Kansas is a $2.4 million bridge repair in Topeka of the Oakland Expressway.
Funds for the program are part of the state's $8 billion, 10-year transportation plan.
Comments
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vegieman (anonymous) says…
How about expaditing the SLT by allowing the opponents to build a Casino in the Wetlands.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) replies…
This is the second time you've posted this borderline racist comment.
Actually, that's not fair-- it isn't borderline at all.
notwhatyouthink (anonymous) says…
Sorry you can't consider it racist anymore in KS. The state runs a casino now.
carrwatt (anonymous) says…
Yes, but WHO will get the jobs???
National Data | January Jobs: Half of New Jobs Go To Immigrants—96% To Hispanics!
American Worker Displacement Index, compared Hispanic and non-Hispanic job growth since January 2001 as a proxy for immigrant displacement of American workers.
http://www.vdare.com/articles/nationa...
alas, you are racist though if you try to give the jobs to Natural 'born' Americans!!