2006 Kansas Code - 68-2314a

      68-2314a.   Comprehensive transportation program; intent of legislature; projects; programs. (a) In order to plan, develop and operate or coordinate the development and operation of the various modes and systems of transportation within the state, the secretary of transportation is hereby authorized and directed to initiate a comprehensive transportation program.

      (b)   The comprehensive transportation program shall provide for the construction, improvement, reconstruction and maintenance of the state highway system. These expenditures may include but not be limited to the following:

      (1)   Maintenance programs to efficiently maintain a safe state highway system in its original or improved condition. It is the intent of the legislature that the surface condition of the state highway system and its bridges, as measured by the Kansas department of transportation pavement and bridge management systems, shall be maintained or improved;

      (2)   construction and reconstruction programs to develop, to the extent practical, the state highway system including major modification projects to improve service, comfort, capacity, condition, economy or safety of the existing system and priority bridge projects to replace or rehabilitate bridges that have a deteriorated condition or that have deficiencies in load carrying capacity, width or traffic service;

      (3)   system enhancement projects which include additions to the system of highways or which substantially improve safety, relieve congestion, improve access or enhance economic development. It is the intent of the legislature that, as nearly as possible, the amount of $1,050,000,000 shall be expended or committed to be expended for system enhancements for the period beginning July 1, 1999, through June 30, 2009. The Kansas department of transportation shall utilize the selection methodology developed by the department, to select system enhancement projects;

      (4)   a highway demonstration project for the purpose of demonstrating advanced and innovative pavement technologies which may include financing, design, construction and performance guarantee. The secretary is authorized to procure such demonstration project in the same manner as engineering services are procured under K.S.A. 75-5801, et seq., and amendments thereto, and such demonstration project need not comply with the provisions of K.S.A. 68-410 or 75-430a, and amendments thereto, or any other applicable statute to the procurement of state highway construction contracts.

      (c)   The comprehensive transportation program shall provide for assistance, including credit and credit enhancements, to cities and counties in meeting their responsibilities for the construction, improvement, reconstruction and maintenance of the roads and bridges not on the state highway system. These expenditures may include but not be limited to the following:

      (1)   Apportionment of the special city and county highway fund to assist cities and counties with their responsibilities for roads and bridges not on the state highway system;

      (2)   programs to share federal aid with cities and counties to assist with their responsibilities for roads and bridges not on the state highway system;

      (3)   programs to assist cities with the maintenance of city connecting links as specified in K.S.A. 68-416, and amendments thereto, and local partnership programs to resurface or geometrically improve city connecting links or to promote economic development; or

      (4)   programs to assist cities and counties with railroad crossings of roads not on the state highway system.

      (d)   The comprehensive transportation program shall provide for a railroad program to provide assistance in accordance with K.S.A. 75-5040 through 75-5050, and amendments thereto, for the preservation and revitalization of rail service in the state.

      (e)   The comprehensive transportation program shall provide for an aviation program to provide assistance for the planning, constructing, reconstructing or rehabilitating the facilities of public use general aviation airports, in accordance with K.S.A. 75-5061, and amendments thereto.

      (f)   The comprehensive transportation program shall provide for public transit programs to aid elderly persons, persons with disabilities and the general public, in accordance with K.S.A. 75-5032 through 75-5038, and amendments thereto, and K.S.A. 75-5051 through 75-5058, and amendments thereto.

      History:   L. 1999, ch. 137, § 1; July 1.