28 Mar Kansas Dept. of Transportation Update | Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Outreach Events in APRIL
KDOT’s strategy for pursuing competitive grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is focused on maximizing Kansas’ likelihood of success. About 40% of BIL funding will be through competitive grants. U.S. DOT has indicated grant applications which benefit multiple communities/states and those that connect and build toward long-term priorities across the state will be the most competitive. With this in mind, KDOT’s strategy for pursuing and supporting federal BIL grants for highway modernization and expansion projects is focused projects in the development/construction pipeline.
KDOT will support highway modernization and expansion projects in the IKE development/construction pipeline. To get in the pipeline, projects must earn strong regional support, demonstrate a strong need, and generate a substantial economic or safety benefit. These are essentially our collective top priorities.
- If communities wish to pursue a federal grant for these projects, KDOT will provide a letter of support for the application. Of course, communities are welcome to pursue grants for any projects they choose, but if it’s a modernization or expansion highway project not currently in the IKE pipeline we want you to be aware that KDOT will refrain from writing a letter of support. As a reminder, IKE’s rolling program approach allows for new projects to be added to the pipeline every two years and BIL’s funding spans five years so additional projects will become eligible for KDOT support.
- Please note this only applies highway modernization and expansion projects not in the IKE pipeline, because we believe we should support our existing priorities first.
- We welcome the opportunity to support other transportation projects. If you’re not sure how your project would be categorized at KDOT, please contact Vanessa Lamoreaux to discuss it.
KDOT, in partnership with Missouri, will pursue a RAISE grant for the Centennial Bridge, which connects Leavenworth to Platte County, Missouri. This bridge replacement, an IKE development pipeline project, connects two states and serves as a major route to the Kansas City International Airport making it a strong candidate for federal funding. This bridge is nearing the end of its service life and is accumulating extensive maintenance costs.
Upcoming Local Consult meetings about BIL: KDOT will host a series of meetings to provide an update on the new funding that will be available for transportation under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This will include an overview of additional funding available for highways, bridges and rural transit and the new electric vehicle charging infrastructure program. KDOT will preview some of the investment areas under consideration for new funding and seek input from you all about what would be most helpful to communities. The content will be the same at all meetings, please participate in the one most convenient for you:
HAYS, KS: Monday, April 11
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm
Location: Hilton Garden Inn
KANSAS CITY, KS: Wednesday, April 13
Time: 9:00-11:00 am
Location: KCK Community College
WICHITA, KS: Thursday, April 14
Time: 9:00-11:00 am
Location: Kansas Aviation Museum
VIRTUAL MEETING: Wednesday, April 27
Time (Morning exact time TBD)
While these meetings are free to attend, registration is required. Registration will open soon and an email with a registration link will be provided. An agenda for these meetings will also be provided soon.