Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced $18.9 million in transportation awards would help improve the state’s aviation network.
The funding, part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) grants, will help 53 airport development projects across the state. The department said that by leveraging local matches, the awards will contribute $95 million in total improvements to the state’s aviation network.
“Investing in Kansas’ airport infrastructure is crucial to enhancing the connectivity that fuels our local economies,” Kelly said. “Through bipartisan collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and community leaders, we are leveraging state dollars to make vital improvements that benefit the entire state.”
The funding will support planning, construction and rehabilitation in general aviation airports critical to the state’s economy, as well as to emergency services.
KDOT Aviation received more than 100 applications seeking a total of $38.87 million for this round grants. The projects were selected from around the state and focused on maximizing the impact of the state funding for pavement maintenance, safety enhancements and air ambulance access improvements.
“Kansas airports are important components of our overall transportation system,” Secretary Calvin Reed, Kansas Department of Transportation, said. “The KAIP allows us to work alongside our local and federal partners to deliver a safe, reliable aviation network. By prioritizing safety and preservation today, we are building a transportation system that works for all Kansans well into the future.”
The KAIP program receives $15 million annually through the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE). This year, the program also considered multi-year phased projects to help smaller communities tackle larger scale improvements over time. The awards included $37,325 for the Johnson County Executive Airport (Olathe) to construct Runway 36 runup area; $1,200,000 for the Washington County Veteran’s Memorial Airport for runway rehabilitation; and $675,000 for the Miami County Airport (Paola) to reconstruct east taxilanes and hangar ramps.