Governor Kelly Announces Over $8.1M forRural Road Safety Improvements

For Immediate Release:         

April 10, 2025          

Contact:         

Grace HogeGrace.Hoge@ks.gov

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday 11 rural roadway projects will receive a total of $8.1 million in federal funds through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program.  

“Made possible through the IKE Transportation Program, these projects address much needed upgrades of rural roadways,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By improving intersections, signage, and other critical roadway features, we are building momentum for a safer, stronger Kansas.” 

The HRRR program is federally funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program and is designed to improve the safety and efficiency of rural roads. An additional $1.6 million in local funds will be utilized for the selected projects. This year’s 11 HRRR projects were selected from 29 applications seeking $29.9 million in funds.  

“With over 20% of fatal and serious injury crashes occurring on county roads, strong partnerships will be necessary to achieve the goal of zero roadway fatalities,” said Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed. “KDOT's collaboration with local governments through programs like HRRR benefits our communities and strengthens connections across the state.” 

Projects in this program fall into one of two categories: Systemic (encompassing a local roadway network) or Site Specific. The county, category, amount awarded, county match, and brief description for the selected projects are below:

COUNTY	CATEGORY	AMOUNT AWARDED	COUNTY MATCH	BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Douglas	Systemic	$500,000	$128,000	High friction surface on CR1055 and CR 1061.
Ellsworth	Site Specific	$1,300,000	$240,000	Add aggregate shoulders on Avenue L, from K-156 to the west city limits of Kanopolis.
Finney	Site Specific	$600,000	$60,000	Add aggregate shoulders and rumble strips to old U.S. 83 from U.S. 83 to U.S. 83 Business.
Johnson	Systemic	$250,000	$60,000	Add edge line rumble strips to paved county roads.
Labette	Site Specific	$250,000	$70,000	Install pavement markings and rumble strips, upgrade signage on 24000 Road west of Parsons.
Meade	Site Specific	$800,000	$400,000	Add shoulders at 26 Road, Cemetery Road, Old 54, 10thAvenue, and 27th Road.
Montgomery	Site Specific	$1,700,000	$480,000	Add shoulders and widen culverts on Peter Pan Road from Cr 4600 to Cr 4800.
Osborne	Systemic	$600,000	N/A	Upgrade signing on 160 miles of county roads west of U.S. 281.
Pratt	Site Specific	$1,100,000	$150,000	Add shoulders to NE 70thAvenue.
Stafford	Site Specific	$500,000	$50,000	Add safety edge wedge to NW 30th Street from NW 70th Street to the west city limits of St. John.
Trego	Systemic	$500,000	N/A	Upgrade signing on all rural local roads.