68-2314a. Comprehensive transportation program; intent of legislature; projects; programs.

68-2314a

Chapter 68.--ROADS AND BRIDGES
PART III.--MISCELLANEOUS
Article 23.--EXPRESS HIGHWAYS AND FREEWAYS

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

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

      (1)   Maintenance programs to efficiently maintain a safe state highway systemin its original or improved condition. It is the intent of the legislaturethat the surface condition of the state highway system and its bridges, asmeasured by the Kansas department of transportation pavement and bridgemanagement systems, shall be maintained or improved;

      (2)   construction and reconstruction programs to develop, to the extentpractical, the state highway system including major modification projects toimprove service, comfort, capacity, condition, economy or safety of theexisting system and priority bridge projects to replace or rehabilitate bridgesthat have a deteriorated condition or that have deficiencies in load carryingcapacity, width or traffic service;

      (3)   system enhancement projects which include additions to the system ofhighways or which substantially improve safety, relieve congestion, improveaccess 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 systemenhancements for the period beginning July 1, 1999, through June 30, 2009.The Kansas department of transportation shall utilize theselection methodology developed by the department, to select system enhancementprojects;

      (4)   a highway demonstration project for the purpose of demonstrating advancedand innovative pavement technologies which may include financing, design,construction and performance guarantee. The secretary is authorized to procuresuch demonstration projectin the samemanner as engineering services are procured under K.S.A. 75-5801, etseq., and amendments thereto, and such demonstration project need notcomplywith the provisions of K.S.A. 68-410 or 75-430a, and amendments thereto, or anyother applicable statute to the procurement of state highway constructioncontracts.

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

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

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

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

      (4)   programs to assist cities and counties with railroad crossings of roadsnot on the state highway system.

      (d)   The comprehensive transportation program shall provide for a railroadprogram to provide assistance in accordance with K.S.A. 75-5040 through75-5050, and amendments thereto, for the preservation and revitalization ofrail service in the state.

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

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

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