Transportation Planning Process

KDOT leads all aspects of the transportation planning process. Construction projects are identified by KDOT, MPOs and other stakeholders. After scoring projects, KDOT solicits further input from stakeholders on a shortlist of candidate projects within a spending range for each region, including in local consultation meetings. KDOT, using that input, then selects and programs projects for construction. Maintenance projects are selected based solely on engineering criteria and available funding. Prioritization decisions ultimately rest with the secretary of transportation.

Legislative Role in Transportation Planning

Limited. The Legislature sets general priorities through statute (see 2010 Kan. Sess. Laws, Chap. 156) and approves the state's comprehensive transportation plan, which provides only general priorities and focuses mainly on revenues and financing. Beyond that, the Legislature has only an advisory role and has not claimed a role in project selection. The secretary of transportation reports to the Legislature annually on selected projects.