Kansas spends big to enhance rural freight corridor
An important freight transport route in rural Kansas is about to undergo a high-priced facelift.
Dubbed the Great Plains Rural Freight Technology Corridor Project, the $14.6 million venture aims to install fiber-optic cable and advanced technologies on a 100-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 83. Officials say around 5,000 commercial vehicles use the route daily.
The corridor runs from southern Finney County to northern Thomas County in western Kansas. Sensors and cameras installed along the corridor will provide real-time information to drivers. Drivers will be able to access the information via hands-free devices or via KDOT’s KanDrive website. KDOT says the new system also will improve communication with emergency responders.
“This project will greatly assist in the efficient movement of agriculture products and other freight along the U.S. 83 corridor,” said Mike Floberg, KDOT’s director of innovative technology. “Expanding different transportation opportunities across rural areas of Kansas will improve connectivity and will help our state’s transportation system be more connected.”
Funding for the project comes from two sources. On Aug. 10, KDOT was awarded a $6.7 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration. The project was one of only 10 selected nationwide by FHWA. In addition, KDOT is providing $7.9 million in matching funds.
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said that the investment into rural areas of the state can have a big impact on an often forgotten – yet very important – part of the state.
“Enhanced connectivity in our highly productive but remote areas of the state is a continued challenge voiced by agriculture leaders in multiple sectors of our ag economy,” Beam said. “This cutting-edge service will make a significant impact to this important corridor in Kansas.”
As far as start date for the project goes, that is still up in the air. A spokesperson for KDOT told Land Line that the department still needs to meet with FHWA to complete funding agreements before beginning the multimillion-dollar endeavor. Once that has been completed, the department expects to complete public involvement, planning, design and construction within two years. Following completion, the department plans to monitor and evaluate the project for an additional two years. LL