Gov. Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced more than $46 million in state and federal funding for bridge replacements, repairs and local transportation improvements across the state.
The largest share of funding — $40.5 million — will support 31 local bridge projects through two programs, with total project value reaching nearly $44.5 million when local matching funds are included.
"Kansas' local bridges are critical to connecting communities and supporting the state's economy," said Kelly. "Improving bridges across our state creates safer, more reliable transportation networks for everyone who relies on them each and every day."
Of the bridge funding, approximately $20 million will be distributed through the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program in state fiscal year 2027. The funding will support 15 bridge replacements and the removal of four deficient structures from local systems.
The program, established in 2015, provides financial assistance to cities and counties for replacing or rehabilitating aging bridges. It also allows funding for removing bridges that no longer meet safety or usage needs.
Another $20.5 million will fund 16 projects under the Off-System Bridge program in federal fiscal year 2028. That program uses a mix of federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funds, Bridge Program funding and state dollars to address bridges not on the federal-aid highway system.
The Kansas DOT said updates to the programs as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program have more than doubled annual funding for local bridge work.
"Programs that provide funding opportunities for local bridge projects are key to helping communities address infrastructure needs that might otherwise go unmet," said Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed. "By working together, KDOT and local communities are providing reliable infrastructure that Kansans can depend on for years to come."
Kansas has more than 19,000 locally maintained bridges, with more than 5,000 requiring upgrades to meet current standards. In the latest funding cycle, KDOT received 182 applications totaling $222 million in requests.
Projects funded through the programs span rural and urban areas, with awards ranging from $625,000 to $2.5 million for individual bridge replacements and up to $2 million for off-system structures. Several projects also include funding to remove obsolete bridges.
In a separate announcement, Kelly and KDOT awarded an additional $5.9 million through the agency's Cost Share Program for nine transportation projects in spring 2026. Combined with more than $3.7 million in local contributions, the total investment exceeds $9.6 million.
The Cost Share Program supports both rural and urban infrastructure projects aimed at improving safety, easing congestion and strengthening local economies. Since launching in 2019, the program has awarded nearly $170 million in state funding and supported 216 projects statewide.
"Through smart and targeted investments that leverage state and local funds, we're continuing to make needed transportation improvements in every corner of the state," Kelly said. "The Cost Share Program is essential to making our communities safer, stronger and more accessible for all."
Spring 2026 Cost Share recipients include projects in Garden Plain, Leavenworth, Oberlin, Paola and South Hutchinson, as well as Haskell, Lincoln, Marion and Riley counties. Improvements range from roadway reconstruction and safety upgrades to bridge replacement and multimodal connectivity enhancements.
KDOT officials said the combined investments highlight a continued focus on modernizing transportation infrastructure across Kansas while partnering with local governments to deliver priority projects. CEG
