TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced that $37.2 million in federal funds has been awarded to 33 projects selected for inclusion in KDOT’s Transportation Alternatives (TA) program. The TA Program provides federal funding to promote and enable use of active transportation and for certain scenic and historic improvements, such as:
- Pedestrian/Bicycle/Non-motorized transportation infrastructure
- Abandoned railway corridors to trails conversion
- Safe Routes to School – construction and non-construction
- Historic transportation facility preservation and rehabilitation
- Scenic and environmental improvements
“Improving alternate modes of travel provides better mobility and connectivity opportunities that keep people moving across the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “As the state’s largest program that funds community projects focused on active transportation, the Transportation Alternatives program provides crucial support in every corner of Kansas.”
KDOT evaluated the 40 applications from this cycle and made selections based on the program criteria and input provided by internal and external partners. Criteria consisted of including proven safety countermeasures, demonstrating readiness and need, population size, and geographic distribution. KDOT also assessed data available as part of the state’s Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment Tool.
“The TA program prioritizes safety and accessibility for people who walk, bike, or roll to work, school, appointments, and other activities,” said Jenny Kramer, KDOT State Active Transportation Manager. “With the focus on safety, it is exciting that the Highway Safety Improvement Program is also investing $6 million towards this round. More funding allows for more projects, which enhances safety in more communities.”
The next call for projects is expected to open in spring 2028.
For more information and a map showing each project location, visit: https://www.ksdot.gov/programs/multimodal-programs/transportation-alternatives.
The 33 awarded TA projects are listed below:
| Project Sponsor | Project Title | TA Award | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Alta Vista | Prairie Heights Elementary Safe Routes to School | $689,000 |
| 2 | City of Atchison | AMS East Safe Routes to School – Phase 4 | $671,000 |
| 3 | City of Coffeyville | Sidewalks and Crosswalks | $856,000 |
| 4 | City of Columbus | Safe Routes to School Improvements – Priority 3 | $801,000 |
| 5 | City of Colwich | Community Connectivity Improvements | $826,000 |
| 6 | City of Council Grove | Safe Routes to School Phase 2 | $1,323,000 |
| 7 | City of De Soto | Sunflower Road Shared-Use Path Missing Link | $335,000 |
| 8 | City of El Dorado | 12th Avenue Multiuse Path Connectivity and Safety | $870,000 |
| 9 | City of Ellsworth | Douglas Avenue Sidewalk Crossing | $105,000 |
| 10 | City of Emporia | Safe Routes to School Improvements | $1,199,000 |
| 11 | City of Eudora | Wakarusa Boat Ramp Park Connection | $1,199,000 |
| 12 | City of Florence | Downtown Streetscape and Pedestrian Safety Improvements | $1,275,000 |
| 13 | City of Fort Scott | Buck Run Corridor Transformation Phase 1 | $1,451,000 |
| 14 | City of Girard | Phase 3: Pedestrian Transportation Facilities | $561,000 |
| 15 | City of Great Bend | Forest Avenue Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility | $356,000 |
| 16 | City of Great Bend | Downtown 10th and Main Pedestrian Crossing | $312,000 |
| 17 | City of Inman | Main Street Streetscape and Pedestrian Safety | $682,000 |
| 18 | City of Junction City | Ash Street Sidewalk Improvements | $740,000 |
| 19 | City of Lansing | South Lansing Side Path and Main Street Crosswalk | $2,662,000 |
| 20 | City of Lawrence | Lawrence Loop – Downtown | $1,227,000 |
| 21 | City of Lawrence | Safe Routes to School Sidewalks and Crossings | $1,105,000 |
| 22 | City of Leavenworth | Centennial Overlook to Downtown Improvements | $618,000 |
| 23 | City of Marysville | Blue River Rail Trail Corridor | $1,835,000 |
| 24 | City of McPherson | Northview 10-foot Multi-Use Path Phase 3 | $806,000 |
| 25 | City of Ottawa | Princeton Street and Princeton Circle Drive Sidewalk Connectivity | $926,000 |
| 26 | City of Pittsburg | Downtown Educational Locust/Elm Connector | $1,812,000 |
| 27 | City of Rossville | Safe Routes to School Plan Implementation | $1,592,000 |
| 28 | City of South Hutchinson | Blanchard Corridor Trail Connection | $735,000 |
| 29 | City of Spring Hill | 215th Street Sidewalk and Crosswalk Visibility Enhancements | $2,601,000 |
| 30 | City of Valley Falls | Sidewalk Improvements | $586,000 |
| 31 | Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy Inc. | Landon Trail – Shawnee Heights Road to 121st Street | $2,090,000 |
| 32 | Pottawatomie County | Excel Road and Side Path | $1,633,000 |
| 33 | Wallace County | Safe Routes to School Plan Implementation | $2,736,000 |
| Total | $37,215,000 |