Issue Position: Rural Infrastructure

Issue Position

All Kansans deserve and expect a first-class transportation system--especially those in rural areas -- and digital infrastructure. Years of disinvestment by the Brownback-Colyer Administration has done tremendous damage to our state's roads, with often disastrous effects on rural communities.

Notably, most of rural Kansas is eliminated from competing for new industry because nearly all new manufacturing prospects seeking sites require access to 4-lane highways. Simply put, the deck is unfairly stacked against rural Kansas without major new investments in transportation. Not only that, a lack of good broadband access in rural areas limits the ability to attract or expand businesses and impacts the resources available to our schools.

The Kelly Administration will get rural Kansas moving again by passing a major, 10-year transportation plan that makes broad investments in highways across Kansas, particularly in rural areas. They will also make expanding and improving broadband access in rural areas a priority.

10-year transportation plan that expands four lane highways in rural areas. The following are a few examples of important projects that still need to be completed (there are more):

US 69 from Bourbon County line to Pittsburg
US 75 from Holton to Sabetha
US 50/400 from Dodge City to Cimarron
K68 from Ottawa to Louisburg
US 169 from Osawatomie to Coffeyville
US 56 from McPherson to Great Bend
US 54 from Pratt to Wichita

Expand and Improve broadband access in rural communities. Working with the newly created Statewide Broadband Task Force to identify and address poor service areas. Improving broadband service will support businesses, enhance resources available to schools, and allow citizens to access telemedicine.

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