Unique tolling approach for mid-size cities: the Kansas story

I was honored to join Gov. Kelly, Sharice Davids and FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt and others at the US-69 groundbreaking today.?We broke ground in Kansas not just on a new lane – but also on a new way to use toll revenue which represents a real opportunity for mid-size cities to modernize their transportation system.

In (probably) the first of its kind use in the nation, revenue from the express toll lanes will be used to pay for the city’s contribution towards a $572M project to rebuild and add a lane to US-69 in Overland Park, Kansas.?The toll revenue does not need to cover the full construction and maintenance costs.?

I’ve asked toll experts and colleagues across the transportation industry – I cannot find anyone familiar with this approach. I’m curious: does anyone know of this approach or are circumstances in Kansas so unique that this approach could only work here??(I doubt it).

I was so pleased to lead KDOT when expanded toll legislation was approved in 2019 and in 2020 when the IKE program was approved by 94% of the legislature and signed by Gov Kelly.?The combination of those bipartisan pieces of legislation and the principles upon which they’re built led us to today:

·???????Partnerships, Options and Problem Solving:?Overland Park needed to provide approx. $20 million in matching funds for the improvement, but the City didn’t have $20 million readily available. So, KDOT got creative and offered Overland Park the option to accumulate toll revenue in an “escrow” account to pay off the “debt” or required local contribution. I didn’t care how long it would take Overland Park to pay off the required contribution because KDOT assessed a small interest charge, and , over the long-term, it’s my hope that by building a managed lane, the state and city won’t have to build more new lanes in the future.?

I’ve always said transportation is a team sport and lots of thanks are in order:

·???????Kudos to the City of Overland Park for taking a hard vote to implement a new toll in Kansas. And thanks to the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and business community which supported extensive outreach and education efforts.

·???????Thanks to the Kansas Turnpike Authority which will collect the tolls. No doubt their outstanding customer service provides confidence that the toll collection system will work well. And appreciation to the Federal Highway Administration for their expertise and support in working through the various permitting processes with KDOT.

·???????Rep. Sharice Davids was key to securing IIJA funds so that an interchange can be included in the project, opening access to a new hospital and other development.

·???????And last, but certainly not least – a huge shoutout to Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) !?From taking on a very difficult project during COVID to updating sound wall policies so this project is a better fit for residents, you all are awesome!?

Today’s a great day for transportation in Kansas. In both the public and private sector, we need to work together with urgency to fulfill the promise of IIJA.

Ad Astra Simul – to the stars together!???