The Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) Local Bridge Improvement Program recently awarded $5 million to 27 counties.
The program assists cities and counties with bridge replacement or rehabilitation. Projects are awarded up to $150,000.
Bridges must be on the local roadway system, have a daily vehicle count of less than 100, and measure 20 feet to 50 feet in length to qualify for the program.
Bridges that are longer or have higher vehicle counts may apply, but funding is limited to the same state funding amounts.
“Improving the overall transportation system in our state is important, and that includes those structures under local authority,” Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz said. “It takes partnerships between the state, cities, and counties to move people and goods as efficiently as possible across Kansas.”
In Kansas, there are approximately 19,000 bridges on the local road system, 20 percent of which are in poor condition.
KDOT received 86 applications from 70 local public agencies requesting $14.2 million. Bridge repair totals were between $150,000 to $800,000.
Some counties submitted two deficient bridges to receive an additional $50,000.
So long as the state government can keep expenses and revenues aligned, KDOT will continue to fund the program on an on-going basis, Lorenz said.