In a press conference this morning, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson and Transportation Secretary Deb Miller announced that Kansas will receive $380 million from the Economic Recovery package for the state's transportation needs. $206 million worth of highway projects could be under construction by June. 

Investment in transportation is exactly what Kansas needs to: - Create thousands of jobs - Enhance safety - Ease congestion - Stimulate the regional and state economies

During the press conference, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson said:

Right now, our country is experiencing an economic crisis not seen since the Great Depression. Every state, every community and every American is being impacted by this recession. But there is hope – there are opportunities on the horizon and there are better days ahead. On Tuesday President Obama signed the Federal Stimulus Bill into law. And while it is not a long-term solution to our problems, it can spur long-term growth by investing in our communities and helping Americans start working again.

Additional details after the jump: The major projects identified by the Department of Transportation include: - $91 million for US-69 in Overland Park for the corridor from I-35 to 103rd Street to address congestion issues and support economic development. - $23 million for I-135/47th Street in Wichita for the reconstruction and upgrade of the interchange to remove the bottleneck and to provide a link to an underutilized area. - $11 million for K-23 in Gove County to enhance safety on 16 miles of a narrow, 50-year-old road that lacks shoulders and has steep side slopes, which creates a hazard for trucks hauling agricultural commodities and implements. - $88 million for K-61 in McPherson County for to expand a 15-mile corridor from two-lanes to four. This will enhance safety and provide a critical link to the interstate system in south-central Kansas. - Beginning the initial phase of expanding K-18 between Fort Riley and Manhattan to four lanes. - The Kansas City area will receive $22 million for city road projects to be selected by the Mid-America Regional Council - The Wichita area will receive $16 million for city road projects to be selected by the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. - KDOT will receive $10 million for Transportation Enhancement projects such as bicycle/pedestrian trails and depot restoration. - KDOT will receive nearly $16 million for urban transit projects, determined by federal formula to include.