The four principles that guide each and every decision were selected to support vital action today and ensure strength for Kansans tomorrow. KDOT is working to future-proof investments by being flexible and responsive when projects are selected for development through a two-year rolling program. Several new programs have been developed creating resources for better problem solving using more holistic transportation solutions. An ongoing dialogue between KDOT and local communities will allow IKE to leverage partnerships and strengthen each dollar spent. IKE is supported by a strong foundation of transparency and accountability with regular reporting and opportunities for Kansans to let their ideas be heard.
With the accelerating rate of economic and technological change, the new transportation program, IKE, must be flexible and responsive to meet shifting needs and address safety concerns. IKE implements a two-year rolling program approach, helping Kansas work toward future-proofing its investments.
IKE’s flexibility helps Kansas communities capture emerging opportunities. Selecting highway modernization and expansion projects every two years for the development pipeline allows communities to adjust their own priorities and project scopes to better address both current and future needs. The program also places a high emphasis on preservation projects, which protect and prolong our transportation investments.
Statewide, the program is designed to develop and maintain a stable project pipeline, allowing the state to more effectively leverage federal funds and improve the transportation business climate as projects move from development to construction. And, the program’s limited alternative delivery contracting ability will allow KDOT to deliver projects faster.
Transportation impacts multiple facets of Kansans’ lives – their health, safety, jobs and time with their families. Communities, too, often face transportation challenges that are difficult to address on their own. IKE helps KDOT be a better partner to communities and Kansans by giving the agency the ability to use more of our resources to creatively address local challenges alongside community members, rather than being limited by internally defined program and project categories.
KDOT is now able to direct its resources to the most pressing needs statewide each year and consider more holistic transportation solutions where possible, such as adding safety improvements and broadband connectivity to preservation projects. Based on feedback from stakeholders, the agency is developing a streamlined, more consistent application process for communities to make local improvements.
IKE also supports more transportation choices for Kansans. New programs allow KDOT to help support short line rail capacity across the state, promote innovative transportation technology, and help more drivers receive driver’s education training. Aviation, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects have more flexibility in their annual budgets, along with some of the agency’s most popular programs that match local dollars, such as Cost Share, Economic Development, and the Local Bridge program.
To maintain the performance level Kansans expect in their transportation system, IKE will leverage partnerships with local communities to generate more local match and input on practical improvements and project phasing to stretch dollars further. These partnerships will help projects go better as KDOT and local communities work in the same direction and collaboratively define problems and solutions.
IKE increases funding to address more needs statewide, improves flexibility to tailor projects to fit current and future needs, and expands opportunities for Kansans to provide input on projects. The program supports communities that bring their own resources and ideas forward, allowing KDOT to give additional consideration to select projects for construction where communities provide a local match or phase a project.
The program is designed to be transparent so Kansans can see how their funds are being used to benefit them. KDOT will provide regular updates on the program’s progress. Schedules and budgets will be monitored closely and reported to the public.
While the program gives the agency greater flexibility to meet transportation needs, a commitment to accountability and transparency is critical to ensuring that transportation funds are used efficiently and properly. KDOT is developing new resources, including the IKE website, to provide more data to policymakers and the public on-demand.
The IKE legislation also includes a new requirement to hold Local Consult sessions every two years to gather feedback on local and regional priorities and also to report additional information to the Kansas Legislature and the public.
We can’t allow the health of our transportation system to decline. KDOT is developing performance metrics to define the level of investment needed to support the system. These metrics, required in the legislation creating the IKE program, will be the first of their kind in Kansas history, and demonstrate the commitment to maintaining the state’s transportation system. Investing in preservation is the first priority for KDOT, after agency operations and debt service payments.
| T-WORKS Original | T-WORKS Aug 2018 | IKE Estimated Investments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preservation | $4.6B | $3.2B | $5.0B |
| Preservation + Innovation Technology | $300M | ||
| Modernization / Expansion (Without T-WORKS) | $1.7B | $1.2B | $2.3B |
| Economic Development | $100M | $100M | $200M |
| Modes | $200M | $200M | $200M |
| Cost Share / Safety / Local Bridge | $300M | ||
| Special City/County Highway Fund | $1.6B | $1.5B | $1.6B |
| City Connecting Link | $40.7M | $32.5M | $40.7M |
| Total | $8.2B | $6.2B | $9.9B |
Governor Laura Kelly, the Kansas Legislature and KDOT believe it is important for all Kansans to benefit from the IKE program. Thus, IKE legislation requires at least $8 million to be invested in each county across Kansas. This $8 million Promise to Kansans will be made up of investments in highway preservation, highway expansion and modernization, aviation, transit, rail, bicycle/pedestrian projects and others that address technology and economic development.
Track KDOT’s progress on the $8 Million Promise here.
Do you have a question, comment, suggestion or concern? Contact us by emailing IKE@KS.gov or by using the message fields located at the bottom of every page. You can also find out more about how we put your ideas to good work with our local consult process here.