Brief⁽¹⁾

S.C.R. 1617 urges the United States Congress to support modernization of US 169 highway by designating it as a demonstration project. The concurrent resolution notes that:

• within a 20-mile stretch on US 169 highway from Spring Hill to Osawatomie there have been ten fatalities within the past ten months;



• Kansas Department of Transportation traffic counts show that this 20-mile stretch of highway is at or above capacity and is the most heavily traveled two-lane highway in the state;



• due to economic and population growth in the area, traffic on US 169 highway will continue to increase, providing a greater threat to safety to the traveling public;



• US 169 highway is a part of the strong economic corridor providing the shortest route between the Kansas City area to the Oklahoma City area and on to the southwest area;



• the danger of traveling on US 169 highway has reached proportions that exceed the reasonable risks associated with driving on public highways; and



• the tragic loss of life has become too great on US 169 highway and corrective measures are needed immediately to improve its safety.

The resolution urges Congress to support the designation of US 169 highway as a demonstration project. The Secretary of State is directed to send copies of the resolution to each member of the Kansas Congressional Delegation.

Background

S.C.R. 1617 is the result of concerns expressed by various citizens and groups from Linn, Miami, and Johnson Counties regarding the safety of US 169 highway.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext-bill.html.