Governor Laura Kelly Announces 16 Counties Receive $8.5 Million for Rural Road Safety Improvements

Today, Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced 16 counties have received approximately $8.5 million through the Kansas High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program.

The HRRR program is a state/local partnership initiative designed to improve safety on off-system rural roads. This year’s HRRR selections include 16 counties with total projects costs of $11 million. When Coronavirus Relief Funds and Highway Infrastructure Program funds became available earlier this year, KDOT was able to distribute twice the funds typically available for HRRR annually. 

“This $8.5 million will go a long way to improve critical local roadways, protect Kansans, and spur economic growth,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “As our economy continues to recover from COVID-19, we must use every tool in our disposal to ensure a strong, resilient foundation for years to come. Congratulations to the 16 Kansas counties that submitted successful applications.”

Chip Westfall, Harvey County Commissioner and whose county was a successful applicant, acknowledged the HRRR funds will enable needed safety enhancements to proceed on locally-owned roads. Westfall is also Chairman and President of the Kansas Association of Counties.

“I am always pleased when our Harvey County Road and Bridge Department can partner with KDOT to improve or make our county roads safer,” said Westfall. “The county is going to upgrade signage at approximately 28 intersections that use multiple stop signs.”

Kansas HRRR funds cover 90-100 percent of total project cost with the counties making up the difference if required. KDOT was able to select six additional HRRR projects for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2022 and several projects previously scheduled for FFY 2023 have moved up to FFY 2022.

“When additional federal coronavirus relief funds became available, KDOT recognized the need to move quickly to expand the HRRR program to as many counties as possible,” said KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Even with the additional money, we are only able to fund half the applications received, which shows the high demand for rural safety projects.”

KDOT received more than 30 applications for 2021 HRRR safety-related funding for off-system rural roadways. HRRR project funding ranged from $62,000 to $1.4 million. Counties sent in applications for this program from November 2020 to the end of February 2021.

Projects in this program fall into one of two categories: Systemic (encompassing a local roadway collector network) or Site Specific. Projects in the Systemic category are 100 percent federally funded and do not require a local match. Site Specific projects are 90 percent federally funded with the county contributing at least 10 percent of the cost.

The county, category, amount awarded, federal fiscal year (FFY) and brief description for HRRR projects receiving funds are shown below:

* Indicates counties identified as being especially hard-hit economically because of COVID-19.