South Central counties seek $5 million to replace 30 rural bridges

The committee reviewed a Bridge Investment Program application from a South Central Kansas partnership between Cowley and Butler counties to replace 30 structurally deficient rural bridges. Jason said the counties are requesting $5,000,000 in Build Kansas support and have committed substantial local resources toward design, preliminary engineering and environmental work to make the program shovel ready.

During discussion Jason originally misspoke about the amount already spent; Senator Petty and staff corrected the record to say the counties had spent about $2,000,000 on preliminary engineering and environmental studies, not $200,000,000. Committee members asked for a breakdown of local contributions between the two counties; staff said they would provide that information.