Frustrated by Topeka Boulevard potholes? Millions in federal transportation funding could arrive to help
Two projects in Topeka are in line for more than $4 million in federal funding under provisions in a multi-billion dollar transportation spending bill making its way through Congress.
The earmarks, requested by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kan., are two of more than a dozen projects in Kansas that would receive federal dollars. Overall, Kansas is set to receive nearly $50 million in funds.
Lawmakers in a U.S. House committee began on Wednesday considering the measure, which has to be passed every four to five years. The $500 billion-plus document is separate from ongoing talks over an even more aggressive infrastructure spending blueprint touted by President Joe Biden.
The transportation spending bill is significant, however, as it marks the return of earmarks, or a process where lawmakers can request and secure money for specific projects in their districts. It was ended a decade ago amid concerns from House Republicans but was revived in 2021 with promises of greater transparency.
The Kansas City Star reported Wednesday that LaTurner's earmark request was a 180 after he vowed in January to eschew the process altogether. A staffer for LaTurner didn't return a request for comment but told the Star that there was a difference between general earmarks and those for transportation projects, with the latter getting more oversight and review.
LaTurner's first request would secure $1.4 million for resurfacing on S.W. Topeka Boulevard, between 21st and 29th streets. A formal request for funding from the congressman's office argues the project would bring "needed repairs on the only arterial roadway running through the city of Topeka and Shawnee County" and would be a boost to the city's quality of life and economic development.
More:'Bring Back the Boulevard' group plans major improvements along S.W. Topeka Boulevard
Topeka City Manager Brent Trout echoed that sentiment. Currently, that portion of Topeka Boulevard isn't set to be worked on until 2024 — a timeline which could be considerably sped up with the federal funds.
Trout noted a desire to leave a good impression on those using one of the city's main thoroughfares, especially for drivers coming in from I-470. Currently, however, that heavy use has taken its toll.
"That portion is degrading pretty substantially," Trout said.
The second project would bring $3 million to the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority to replace seven diesel buses. LaTurner's funding request noted the buses implicated are all more than 12 years old and have 500,000-plus odometer miles.
His requests also included $1 million to replace the Centennial Bridge in Leavenworth, as well as projects in Bourbon, Crawford, Douglas and Neosho counties.
The costliest project would bring $15 million to improve an interchange in Overland Park at the request of U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan.
More:States have billions of dollars from the American Rescue Plan. Now they have to spend it
Talks on Biden infrastructure plan remain rocky
The news comes as senators remain deadlocked on finding a way forward to OK a sweeping infrastructure spending plan favored by President Joe Biden.
After talks broke down with Republicans earlier this week, a bipartisan group of senators are trying to craft a plan without tax hikes — despite concerns from some Democrats over that approach.
Both of Kansas' senators have stressed a desire for a resolution on the matter — but with a slimmed down price tag from the $1.7 trillion plan initially proposed by the Biden Administration.
"Everyone is excited about infrastructure here and my folks back home are excited about it," U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall told Fox Business on Wednesday. "But the real question is what are the priorities and where are we going to get the money from."
The bill would include an expansion of passenger rail in the state, just months after the Biden administration restored daily service on the state's lone long-distance Amtrak route, the Southwest Chief.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., has been among those to cheer the proposal to extend a separate long-distance route between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City to Newton, via Wichita, something long desired by rail fans.