ARKANSAS CITY – Today, Governor Laura Kelly congratulated Arkansas City for receiving $227,500 in Cost Share funds as administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). This project will resurface North Summit Street.
“Congratulations to Arkansas City for receiving $227,500 in the latest round of Cost Share funding,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “By working with our local partners to invest in our communities, our Cost Share program is improving road safety, mobility, and helping recruit new families and businesses to our state. This project is proof that when we work together to make smart investments in our foundation, all Kansans see results.”
A component of the Kelly Administration’s 10-year, bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, or IKE, the Cost Share program is designed to help rural and urban areas advance transportation projects to improve safety, support job retention and growth, relieve congestion, and improve access and mobility. Arkansas City was among 20 transportation construction projects selected for the Fall 2021 Cost Share recipients.
“We are a growing community and this will give our citizens a sense of accomplishment to complete such an important infrastructure project that advances safety in our busiest commercial corridor,” said Arkansas City Commissioner Karen Welch, who served as mayor when the project was designed.
City Manager Randy Frazer said the asphalt on North Summit Street is at least 20 years old and is in poor condition in many places.
“This project will achieve all of the Cost Share program’s goals by promoting safety, improving both access and mobility and improving surface conditions and relieving congestion on the city’s busiest street,” Frazer said.
“This will substantially reduce the tax burden on our citizens and also open up some possible opportunities to add enhancements to the roadway, which also serves as the main access route to four local schools,” said Arkansas City Mayor Scott Rogers.
The total project construction cost of $728,700 involves a 68.78% community match comprised of funds from Arkansas City and a Community Development Block Grant. The project, with bid letting scheduled for January 2022, will involve the milling and overlay of deteriorated 2-inch asphalt, base repair, new concrete street entrances, sidewalk, ADA-compliant ramps and pavement markings on North Summit from Kansas Avenue to Radio Lane.
Demand is high for Cost Share transportation dollars. Michelle Needham, Economic Development Programs Manager for KDOT, said 84 communities requested more than $54.5 million in funding for this, the fifth round of the Cost Share program.
“KDOT was impressed with how this round of Cost Share projects hit markers for economic development, safety and community support,” said Needham. “KDOT and our Cost Share partners are working collaboratively to expedite delivery on selected projects.”
KDOT is investing $9.4 million in this cycle of Cost Share, leveraging more than $5.3 million in community matching dollars, a total of $14.8 million in funding through state and local partnerships. Over the initial five rounds of Cost Share, more than 100 projects have received more than $96 million in state funding.
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