Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation has selected 20 projects for inclusion in its Transportation Alternatives program.

KDOT received 43 applications from local units of government for funding consideration totaling more than $22.5 million.

Transportation Alternatives projects under this federal program include facilities for pedestrians and bicycles; rehabilitation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas; conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails; community improvement activities such as downtown streetscape enhancements and the control or removal of outdoor advertising.

The total cost for the 20 selected projects is $11.5 million. A minimum of 20 percent of the project cost must come from the applicant.

A list of selected projects and the federal funding awarded is below:

Historical Projects
Goodland – Rehabilitation of historic brick street on Main Street ($308,408); Kansas Historical Society – Restoration of Hollenberg Pony Express Station near Hanover ($44,000); Manhattan – Rehabilitation of brick street on Juliette Avenue ($517,799).

Scenic/Environmental Projects
Baldwin City – Improvements to the exterior of the Baldwin City Depot ($145,390); Barton County – Construction of viewing tower at K-4 Overlook ($185,968); Girard – Streetscape improvements in downtown area ($1,232,000); Hiawatha – Streetscape improvements in downtown area ($750,880); Hutchinson – Streetscape improvements in downtown area ($762,040); Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism – Implementation of Kansas Byways Interpretive Plan including informational kiosks and interpretive boards on turnouts, overlooks or viewing areas of all 11 byways ($800,000); Little River – Streetscape improvements in downtown area ($475,000).

Pedestrian/Bicycle
Atchison – Shared use path along U.S. 73 ($1,171,235); Cimarron – Construction of shared use path on Main Street ($191,452); Concordia – Shared use paths through College Drive Park ($462,387); Junction City – Shared use path along K-18 ($950,000); Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism – Phase II development of the Flint Hills Nature Trail ($1,972,592); Manhattan – Shared use path along Knox Lane ($165,100); McPherson – Shared use path along Avenue A ($302,910); Ottawa – Sidewalk and bike lanes on 15th Street ($223,203); Pittsburg – Shared use path along South Rouse Avenue ($656,103); Topeka – Implementation of Phase II of the Topeka Bikeways Master Plan ($223,075).