CHAPTER 210 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 5054 A Concurrent Resolution urging the United States Congress to support modernization
of US-59 highway by designating it as a demonstration project.  WHEREAS, According to the Kansas Department of Transportation
within a twenty-mile stretch on US-59 highway from Lawrence to Ottawa
there have been 468 accidents within the last 5 years; and

WHEREAS, According to the Kansas Department of Transportation
103 of those 468 accidents have involved personal injury and bodily harm;
and

WHEREAS, Because of the persistent and continuing economic and
population growth in the area, the traffic count on US-59 will continue
to increase, providing a greater threat to the safety of the traveling public;
and

WHEREAS, Engineering deficiencies in the past have led to the ex-
istence of a highway with scant passing areas and nonexistent shoulders;
and

WHEREAS, This highway is the only viable connecting link between
the major traffic arteries of Interstate-70 and Interstate-35 between K-7
to the east and The Kansas Turnpike to the West; and

WHEREAS, The large costs of purchasing rights-of-way and engi-
neering makes this an ideal project for the State of Kansas to partner in
cost sharing with the federal government; and

WHEREAS, The danger and risk of traveling on US-59 highway has
reached proportions that exceed the reasonable risks associated with driv-
ing on our public highways; and

WHEREAS, The tragic loss of life has become too great on US-59
highway and corrective measures are needed immediately to remedy the
unsafe and hazardous conditions, and improve the safety of this highway;
and

WHEREAS, The State of Kansas is financially unable to remedy this
life threatening situation in the near future: Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Kansas,
the Senate concurring therein: That the Legislature of the State of Kan-
sas strongly urges the United States Congress to support the designating
of US-59 highway as a demonstration project; and

Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send
copies of this resolution to each member of the Kansas Congressional
Delegation.

Adopted by the House April 1, 1998.

Adopted by the Senate April 2, 1998.

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