The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) recently awarded 27 local and off-system bridge projects $40.5 million in state and federal funding as part of two local bridge improvement programs.
KDOT awarded approximately $20 million through the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program to 11 bridge replacement projects and four deficient bridges that will be permanently removed from local systems. The program provides local public authorities funds for the replacement or rehabilitation of deficient city and county-owned bridges, or for the removal of deficient bridges.
KDOT awarded $20.5 million through the Off-System Bridge program to 16 projects. The program uses a specific portion of federal funds for bridges not on the federal-aid system. Funding is a combination of federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funds, Bridge Program Funds and state funds.
“By funding bridge projects across our state, we are directly investing in the future of our communities,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “Repairing and replacing aging bridges ensures people and commerce can move safely and efficiently throughout Kansas.”
KDOT received 163 applications requesting $189.3 million for this cycle of grant awards.
Statewide, there are more than 19,000 bridges on local road systems, more than 5,000 of which need to be updated to meet modern standards.