FAQS

What is a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)?

The LRTP is an evaluation of the current status and future needs of all modes of the Kansas transportation system, including state highways and the local road network, transit, rail, trucking, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Is this a new Transportation Program?

No. The LRTP will, however, lay the foundation for a new transportation program by analyzing demographic and economic trends for the state along with existing and future transportation needs. The LRTP also will evaluate how transportation is currently funded in Kansas and explore other funding strategies that are being used around the country.

Will there be a list of projects in the LRTP?

No. The LRTP is a policy document and will be focused on transportation issues and needs rather than on specific projects.

How are transportation projects selected?

Kansas has primarily used a set of mathematical formulas (known as the Priority Formulas) for more than 20 years to select highway projects. These formulas use physical characteristics of the road, such as pavement structure, along with data on accident rates and truck and traffic volumes. Consideration is being given to expanding the way projects are selected to include feedback from local officials. The process of seeking more local feedback is called expanding the local consultation process.

Have highway projects been selected for work after the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) ends in 2009?

Because it's important to use all of the federal aid for which Kansas is eligible, fairly simple projects to work on after 2009 have been identified. These projects focus on preserving pavement, maintaining existing bridges and finishing some work that was initiated under the CTP. A process is underway to identify a few large projects that require many (5-7+) years to design using input gathered from local officials during the Local Consult meetings conducted in the fall of 2006. That work needs to get in the pipeline so that, should a new transportation program be authorized by the Legislature, projects would be ready to go to construction fairly quickly.

How do I get my project considered for funding?

A good way to bring up a project is to get involved in the Local Consult process. It is anticipated that an extensive Local Consult process would be conducted before projects are identified for a new transportation program.

What happens when the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) ends in 2009?

As Secretary Deb Miller points out, KDOT won't "lock the doors and turn out the lights." The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will continue to receive federal and state funds. However, the construction budget for major projects will be reduced from an average of $400 million annually under the CTP to something more in the range of $200-$250 million per year. Maintaining the state transportation system will continue to be a top priority.

When will a new program be passed?

It is up to the Legislature to develop and approve a new funding package.

What might a new transportation program look like?

Though no one knows today what a new program might look like, the Kansas Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) will provide the data and analysis upon which to build a program to address the current and future transportation needs of Kansas. Because the LRTP will play an important role in any new program, KDOT is working hard to make sure stakeholders across the state are heard and emerging economic and demographic trends are considered as the LRTP is developed.