KDOT grant to fund Vilas Street projects

Oct. 6, 2022 | Public Information Office

The City of Leavenworth’s request for safety and accessibility funding was approved by the Kansas Department of Transportation for a $1.27 million Transportation Alternatives Grant. The grant will be used for roadway improvement projects on Vilas Street from 20th to 22nd streets and sidewalk and accessibility ramp projects on Vilas from 10th Avenue to 20th Street. The funding is available in Kansas State fiscal year 2023-24, with construction scheduled to begin May 2024.

The project, likely to begin construction in 2024, would include:

• Sidewalk repair and installation on Vilas from 10^th Avenue to 20^th Street

• Installation of 13 ADA-compliant ramps at intersections on Vilas from 10^th Avenue to 20^th Street

• Reconstruction of Vilas Street from 20^th Street to 22^nd  Street, including curbs, gutters and sidewalks

• Various pedestrian improvements, including crosswalks and enhanced safety measures

The grant requires a 20% cost share match, so the City of Leavenworth’s estimated portion is $316,460. Vilas Street is a major east-west road and serves pedestrian traffic to four local schools: Henry Leavenworth Elementary School, Leavenworth Intermediate School, Richard Warren Middle School and Leavenworth High School.

One two-block section of Vilas Street between 22nd Street and 20th Street Trafficway is adjacent to Henry Leavenworth Elementary. This stretch of road is an open ditch and has extremely high traffic during school morning drop-off and afternoon pickup. The road is narrow and has crumbling edges caused by school traffic. The KDOT-funded project would improve the road to modern standards including curb, stormwater structures and gutters, sidewalks on both sides of the road and accessibility and walking ability for children and families travelling to and from Henry Leavenworth Elementary School.