Montgomery County to reapply for KDOT funding and weigh local road projects including Peter Pan and Buckeye

Montgomery County public works staff informed the commission on Dec. 30 that the county plans to reapply for KDOT's hybrid railroad/road program for fiscal year 2027 and will seek continuation of two previously applied projects. Brandon Burskins summarized last year's submission and said the county applied for continuation of the Peter Pan project "going from County Road 46100 North to County Road 48100" and had hoped to extend the Buckeye project south to the state line but had to scale that extension back after costs were recalculated.

"We weren't selected last year, but we applied for continuation of Peter Pan project," Brandon said, and urged the commission to consider reapplying if the county wants to resume the planned extension. Commissioners raised a locally significant road (referenced variously in the packet as 28100/26100/2250) and asked whether traffic counts — especially truck-versus-car data — could make the route more competitive for the program, which generally favors major collectors.

Staff described the local road safety plan and the role of regional planning commissions in the current planning grant; they said the KDOT program often prioritizes major collectors and city projects, though some rural counties have been successful under high-risk rural road categories. Cost-share arrangements were discussed: staff described a range of local contribution levels in prior projects ("anywhere from the minimum . . . 15% up to 40%"), and noted that the '90/10' program covers construction and construction engineering while cost-share covers construction only.

Separately, staff updated the commission on construction progress for the Buckeye Project: "They're on the working day 84 out of a 100 right now," Brandon said, noting a holiday break until Jan. 6 and that paving will resume when weather permits and temperatures allow asphalt placement.

Commissioners asked staff to bring selected project data, traffic counts, score/selection information and local-share options for the next meeting so they can decide whether to reapply and which segments to prioritize. No funding commitments or formal reapplication approvals were made during the Dec. 30 meeting.