MPO staff urges policy board to participate in KDOT local consult (IEP) process this fall

MPO staff on Aug. 7 briefed the Lawrence–Douglas County Policy Board on the Kansas Department of Transportation local consult process (the IEP program), scheduled for this fall, and urged board members and local officials to participate in one or both regional sessions.

Jessica, MPO staff, said the local consult process is KDOT’s biennial outreach to gather input from Kansas communities on potential expansion and modernization projects and that MPO staff typically attend the Topeka or Kansas City session for District 1. She said the format generally includes a main presentation of statewide and district projects followed by topical breakout sessions where attendees can discuss project priorities for areas such as transit, bicycle and pedestrian improvements and safety.

Board members discussed strategy for coverage: staff recommended dividing attendance across available breakout sessions so Lawrence and other local jurisdictions (for example, Eudora, Baldwin City and Douglas County) can have representation in multiple topical conversations. Commissioner Littlejohn noted Lawrence’s regional connections to Kansas City and Topeka and said attending both meetings could be beneficial; staff said the same main presentation is given at both locations and that breakout topics determine which issues receive deeper attention.

Jessica said MPO staff will coordinate with the technical advisory committee and local jurisdictions to prepare materials and suggested that city and county staff bring project lists and talking points to the consult so KDOT can record local priorities for scoring and potential funding consideration. No formal action was taken; the briefing was informational.