Project to provide pedestrian access to school, library, downtown
CARBONDALE, Kan. – Today, Gov. Laura Kelly congratulated the city of Carbondale for receiving $167,287 in cost share funds as administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation. The recently funded project will provide sidewalk improvements near critical public buildings in Carbondale.
“Congratulations to the City of Carbondale for receiving $167,287 in the latest round of Cost Share funding,” Kelly said. “By working with our local partners to invest in our communities, our Cost Share program is improving road safety, mobility, and helping recruit new families and businesses to our state. This project is proof that when we work together to make smart investments in our foundation, all Kansans see results.”
A component of the Kelly Administration’s 10-year, bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, or IKE, the Cost Share program is designed to help rural and urban areas advance transportation projects to improve safety, support job retention and growth, relieve congestion, and improve access and mobility. The city of Carbondale was among 20 transportation construction projects selected for the fall 2021 Cost Share recipients.
“This will improve the entrance into the community and the foot traffic, said Carbondale Mayor John Ryan. “We anticipate additional biking and walking, as well as safer access for our students.”
The project will provide sidewalks on Third Street from Carbondale Attendance Center, which serves fourth through eighth grade students, to the Carbondale City Library, and on the north side of Main Street, giving safer pedestrian access to adjacent businesses, including the local grocery store.
“Currently, kids walk in the street,” said Ryan. “This will connect our downtown district to the school and other sidewalks in the area.”
Pedestrians cannot safely access the public library at the northeast corner of Third Street and Main Street in Carbondale, as North Third Street does not currently have a usable sidewalk, nor does the north side of Main Street. There are sections on these streets that have no sidewalk and sections with cobblestone or brick have become overgrown and unusable over time.
Demand is high for Cost Share transportation dollars. Michelle Needham, KDOT economic development programs manager, said 84 communities requested more than $54.5 million in funding for the fifth round of the Cost Share program.
“KDOT was impressed with how this round of Cost Share projects hit markers for economic development, safety and community support,” said Needham. “KDOT and our Cost Share partners are working collaboratively to expedite delivery on selected projects.”
KDOT is investing $9.4 million in this cycle of the cost share program, leveraging more than $5.3 million in community matching dollars, a total of $14.8 million in funding through state and local partnerships. Over the initial five rounds of the program, more than 100 projects have received more than $96 million in state funding.
The entire list of fall 2021 Cost Share projects and other information are available here.
Information thanks to the Office of the Governor.
