TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Department of Transportation is trying to reduce the number of engineers leaving the agency by moving some jobs to Lawrence.

Transportation officials said Wednesday the agency has moved 18 employees, including 16 engineers, from its Topeka office to leased space in the Bioscience and Technology Business Center on the University of Kansas campus.

 

KDOT opens office on KU campus- https://t.co/PYQOg9XqAe pic.twitter.com/sZpNq5WsfR

— KDOT (@KDOTHQ) January 6, 2016

 

 

Transportation secretary Mike King says the all of the employees already live in Lawrence. He says the agency has lost “a significant number” of engineers recently.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the staff transferred to Lawrence do design and management work on state road and bridge projects.

King says he hopes the move will also help the agency recruit engineering interns from the university.