Sec. of Transportation speaks on '10 legislation

Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Deb Miller addresses local leaders during Thursday afternoon's presentation at the Holiday Inn Express in Pittsburg. (Michael Pommier/Tribune)

PITTSBURG -- Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Deb Miller visited Pittsburg Thursday afternoon to discuss the future of transportation in Kansas.

Miller said she wanted to talk about strategies for improving the quality of the roads and bridges in Kansas as well as the future of KDOT. With the Kansas Comprehensive Transportation Program expiring last July, she said KDOT is looking for ideas to get the ball rolling on a new program.

"The time is now to talk about it," Miller said.

According to Miller, the biggest criticism of the past CTP, at least in its last few years, was it's lack of flexibility to adapt to new projects. In addition, KDOT is working to adapt to a new understanding of the purpose transportation.

"Transportation is not an end, it's a means to an end" Miller said. "Ten years ago, we didn't understand that."

Adding to the improvements is the goal to make the decisions, determining which projects to select, a more collaborative effort between KDOT, the communities, and the citizens. Miller said this change has been widely accepted.

"I think we have seen huge benefits," Miller said. "We are having more fun doing it."

While working on a new transpiration program, Miller said the citizens need to know that improved transportation does not guarantee economic development. However, transportation is very important to economic development. Miller said the four-lane expansion of U.S. Highway 69 from Louisburg to Fort Scott employed 1,770 people at an average wage of $18 per hour and 618 separate companies provided products and services to the project.

The most important part of a transportation program is the funding. Miller said that KDOT believes that the worst of the economic recession has passed and that revenues will stabilize. If revenues have not stabilized, then KDOT will not approach the legislature about creating a new comprehensive transportation plan.

According to Miller, 25 years ago 49 percent of the roads and bridges in Kansas were considered to be in good condition, currently as a result of the CTP 83 percent are now in good condition. If a new plan is not set in place, KDOT's projections show that only 50 percent of the state's roads and bridges will be in good condition by 2020.