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Legislators Learn About Strategy To Reduce Traffic Congestion

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2007                                                                                    

For Information Contact:
Rep. Gary Hayzlett 785/296-7640
Rep. Virgil Peck, Jr. 785/296-7641

Topeka – Representatives Gary Hayzlett (R-Lakin) and Virgil Peck, Jr. (R-Tyro) were recently invited to attend a transportation leadership summit at the White House in Washington, D.C. to learn about a new national initiative to reduce congestion across the country.  Reps. Hayzlett and Peck respectively serve as chairman and vice-chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

“Some might think traffic congestion is not a problem in Kansas,” said Chairman Hayzlett.  “But based on current trends, highway congestion is on its way to becoming a problem in medium-size cities like Topeka and Lawrence within the next 10 years – with smaller Kansas communities facing similar problems in 10-15 years.  Without proper planning and infrastructure improvements, Kansans could face a dramatic increase in transportation costs in the years to come.”

In 2003, highway congestion in large cities:

  • Impacted 67% of travel verses 33% in 1982.
  • Lasted Seven hours per day in duration verses 4.5 hours in 1982.
  • Increased by 37% the length of average rush hours driver’s trip verses 13% in 1982.


Rep. Peck pointed out increased congestion also will impact the quality of life in Kansas.

“Little glitches on the highway can become tremendous back-ups of traffic and delay Kansans as they travel home – giving them less time to spend with their families,” said Rep. Peck.  “In order to improve our transportation systems in Kansas and maintain our quality of life, we must be receptive to new approaches to expanding those systems.”

Reps. Hayzlett and Peck said they will visit with the Kansas Department of Transportation about what they learned and stay involved with the federal government’s “National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America’s Transportation Network” program to take the necessary steps to make congestion problems a thing of the past.

 

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