TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly announced that more than $6 million in funds from the Kansas High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program will go to 10 rural counties, including Ness and Russell counties, to improve the safety and efficiency of roads and local roadways.  

“These improvements are vital to maintaining the infrastructure as many Kansans depend on rural roadways,” Governor Kelly said. “Our rural roads are an important component to the local and state economy. Programs like this ensure that commerce flows and Kansas families can travel the state safely.” 

The funding will be available through the Kansas HRRR Program, which is a federally funded state/local partnership initiative designed to improve safety on rural roads. This year’s 10 HRRR projects were selected from more than 40 applications seeking $21 million in federal funds. Kansas HRRR funds cover 90-100% of total project cost with the counties making up the difference if required. 

“Recognizing that Kansans use local roads to reach state highways, KDOT partners with cities and counties to help improve local infrastructure,” Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz said. “Working together provides opportunities for communities to strengthen their local road network to improve connections across the state.” 

Projects in this program fall into one of two categories: Systemic (encompassing a local roadway network) or Site Specific. Projects in the Systemic category are 100 percent federally funded and Site Specific projects are 90 percent federally funded. 

There will be a site-specific project in Ness County. The $454,500 covers an updated guardrail and installed object markers on J Road between 20 Road and K-96. 

There will be a systemic project in Russell County. The $249,000 covers upgraded signing on all major collectors north of I-70 and west of U.S. 281.