Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson traveled across the state last week for ceremonial signings of a long-term, $8.2 billion transportation program. The effort will be financed with proceeds from an estimated $1.7 billion in revenue bonds, a portion of a 1% sales tax increase, and higher fees for heavy trucks.
Parkinson said the 10-year program, styled as T-Works — Transportation Works for Kansas — would stimulate the state’s economy while also providing better mobility.
“This bill isn’t only about the miles of road, rail or runway,” the Democratic governor said. “It’s about putting Kansans back to work.”
The program includes $1.8 billion for new state highways and $4.6 billion for highway maintenance projects, and $1.6 billion for city and county roads. Additional funds are devoted to rail, aviation, and public transit efforts.
Kansas Department of Transportation expects to issue $300 million of bonds this summer to complete road maintenance projects that were deferred in January due to a decrease in state revenue.
The new transportation measure passed by the Legislature earlier this month authorizes KDOT to issue bonds totaling up to 18% of the department’s annual revenue.
