KDOT awards Garden City up to $1.5 million for Toll Street reconstruction

Public Works and Utilities Director Mike Muirhead told the commission that the Kansas Department of Transportation has awarded Garden City up to $1,500,000 through the City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP) for a fiscal year 2028 project to fully reconstruct Toll Street, the US-50 business corridor from Washington Street West to Third Street.

Muirhead said the original submittal included two projects — selective panel replacement on Fulton and South Main and a mill-and-overlay on Main Street from Walnut to Pine — but KDOT site reviews led to revising the scope to a full reconstruction of Toll Street. "KDOT has awarded that it will allocate up to $1,500,000 for this 2028 project, which includes preliminary engineering, construction, and construction engineering," Muirhead said.

The estimated project cost remains $1,765,000. Under KDOT guidance the state will cover up to 85% of eligible costs (up to $1,500,000) and the city will cover at least 15% plus any driveway or utility costs beyond the grant amount; Muirhead said the city share is estimated at $265,000 and will be budgeted in 2026–2028 budget years. Muirhead answered commissioners’ questions about the selection process and confirmed that KDOT recommended the change in scope after a site visit.

Muirhead described a revised approach because the full reconstruction addresses broader pavement needs on the corridor. No formal vote was required at the meeting; Muirhead presented the award as informational and to allow staff to budget the local match.