Davids Secures $49.3 Million for Kansas Transit Projects from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Davids is the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure law, delivering record funds for aging infrastructure needs across the state
Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced that Kansas will receive $49.3 million this year under the bipartisan infrastructure law to upgrade and expand local transit in Kansas. $27.2 million of these funds will go to local transit projects in the Kansas City area.
"The bipartisan infrastructure law is delivering safer, more reliable, and more environmentally friendly options for Kansans to get where they need to go," said Davids. "More accessible transit options means more people can get to their jobs, to school, and to greater opportunity. I'm glad to help deliver that to our community through this historic and long-overdue investment.""
Davids hosted Secretary Pete Buttigieg on a KCATA electric bus in January.
This historic investment will allow local transit authorities like the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA) to buy new buses and railcars, address repair backlogs, modernize fleets, and transition to new technologies that reduce carbon emissions. With strong Buy America requirements on steel, iron, and other materials necessary for transit projects, this investment will have compounding positive impacts on Kansas' workforce and economy.
"We are so grateful to Congresswoman Sharice Davids for her unwavering commitment to passing and now implementing the Infrastructure Bill that will deliver critical investment in Kansas, and throughout our region," said Robbie Makinen, KCATA-RideKC President and CEO. "Congresswoman Davids understand that public transit is that one thing that connects all the dots. Whether its jobs, education, healthcare or affordable housing, public transportation and related infrastructure is the great connector and equalizer in our communities."
Davids, who serves as Vice Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, previously announced that in fiscal year 2022, bipartisan infrastructure law is bringing $500 million to improve Kansas roads, $225 million to repair Kansas bridges, more than $13 million for airports in the Third District and $79 million for water infrastructure across Kansas. The law has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.