The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is leading a two-phase study of the changing transportation needs in the 5-county area that includes Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte Counties. The study, which was initiated in September 2008, has three goals:
- Assess the multi-modal transportation needs
- Prioritize the needs
- Develop strategies to address the needs
It is hoped that the study will develop recommendations that are technically feasible, politically acceptable and financially realistic, not an easy task at a time when northeast Kansas is growing rapidly and the economy has been rocked by economic upheaval.
In November, Elaine Giessel, Johnson County, was invited by KDOT to assist with the study on a Stakeholder Advisory Panel, as a representative of the League. During 2009, in Phase 1 of the study, this panel is to assist in evaluating needs, identifying community values, developing a long-range transportation vision and establishing criteria that will guide future priority setting (Goal 1). Phase 2 will involve developing a prioritized plan with strategies and potential projects (Goals 2 and 3), but it has not yet been funded.
Giessel attended a day-long Transportation Summit on December 17 in Kansas City, KS. KDOT Secretary Deb Miller, who introduced the 5-County project, was followed by local and national planning and transportation experts. Presentations, discussions and interactive exercises helped a broad range of interested parties to identify and to think creatively about solving the region's transportation issues.
A number of key issues were identified in Johnson County, including the proposed intermodal facility in Gardner and possible freight travel between Grandview, MO and Gardner. Interest in reducing congestion and in providing more efficient east-west travel between Kansas and Missouri was also expressed.
The Stakeholder Advisory Panel will hold its first meeting Tuesday, January 27 th from 8:30-10:00 am.
—Elaine's Giessel
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