Kansas Awards $40.5 million to Local Bridge Projects

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced that 27 local and off-system bridges across the state will receive a total of $40.5 million for necessary maintenance.

“By funding bridge projects across our state, we are directly investing in the future of our communities,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement. “Repairing and replacing aging bridges ensures people and commerce can move safely and efficiently throughout Kansas.”

Kansas has over 19,000 bridges on local road systems and more than 5,000 of these structures need updates to meet current standards, according to KDOT.

The money is a combination of state and federal funds, coming out of two local bridge improvement programs. Both programs are used for city and county bridges in need of replacement or repair that are not part of the state highway system.

KDOT will award around $20 million through the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program in fiscal year 2026. These funds go toward 11 bridge replacement projects and the permanent removal of four deficient structures. Local awardee agencies include the City of Topeka and 10 counties.

The Off-System Bridge program will provide $20.5 million in fiscal year 2027 for 16 projects across Kansas. Selection criteria included bridge condition, detour length, inability to carry legal loads and past project history.

A full list of funded projects can be found here.

“This is about more than just infrastructure; it's about strengthening the vital connections that keep our towns and cities thriving,” KDOT Secretary Calvin Reed said in a statement.

Sources: Kansas Department of Transportation