Shortly before the TA grant application deadline officials with the Kansas Department of Transportation determined that a different source of funds (state active transportation funds) would be the more appropriate funding source for the Highway 99 Pedestrian/Bike Trail proposed by the Prairie Guards.
Brad Loveless, Secretary of Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, Dan Watkins, Prairie Guards advisor, Michael Stubbs, President Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards, Calvin Reed, Secretary Kansas Department of Transportation, and Jared Tremblay, Planning Manager for the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization met at Mount Mitchell in November of 2023 to discuss and explore the possibility of including a pedestrian/bike trail as part of the third phase of the highway 99 reconstruction between Wamego and Mount Mitchell.
This funding source allows for flexibility in the timing of the project. To begin pursuit of that funding backers of the project will have the opportunity to voice their support at the next local consult meeting in the fall of next year (2025). If enough support is voiced and the project is approved it will be put into the IKE funding pipeline. Bottom line: the project will in all likelihood not happen for at least another five or six years.
The Prairie Guards wish to thank the individuals, organizations, and government officials who wrote letters of support for our Transportation Alternatives Grant application. They include:
Pottawatomie County Commissioners, Greg Riat, Deloyce McKee, Dennis Weixlman
Wabaunsee County Office of Economic Development, Stephanie Imthurn
Pottawatomie Economic Development Corporation, Jessica Venneberg
Wamego City Commission, Stacie Eichem, City Manager
Wamego Chamber of Commerce, Jessa Peterson, Executive Director
Alma Chamber of Commerce, Mason Hinkle, President
Alma Area Foundation, Ervan Stuewe, Chairman
Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization, Jared Tremblay, Planning Manager
Flint Hills Regional Council, Mike Couch, Executive Director
Jake LaTurner, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd District
Brenda S. Dietrich, Senator 20th Senate District
Kenny Titus, Representative District 51
Rob McKim Superintendent USD 320, Wamego
Kansas Trails Council, Michael Goodwin, Treasurer
Sunflower Rails-Trails Conservancy, Clark Coan, Trails Coordinator
Friends of the Kaw, Dawn Buehler, Executive Director & Kansas River Keeper
Sunflower Foundation, Elizabeth Burger, Vice President
Kansas Sampler Foundation, Marci Penner, Co-Director
Native Stone Scenic Byway, Marsha Ericson, Chair
Wamego Historical Society, Madge MacDonald, Curator
Wabaunsee County Historical Society, Marci Spaw, Executive Director
Wamego Telecommunications Company, Tom Fulmer, Customer Relations Manager
3Rivers, Inc. Audrey Schremmer, Executive Director
Prairie Heritage, Inc., Margy Stewart, Treasurer
Audubon of Kansas, Richard Seaton Sr., Vice-Chair
Visit Manhattan Kansas, Marcia Rozell, Director
Visit Emporia Kansas, LeLan Dains, Director
Bike MHK, Nancy Baker, Facebook Administrator
Gravel Kansas, Jake Huyett
Kansas Rural Center, Tom Buller, Executive Director
George and Brenda Annan, Wamego, KS
Paul and Shannon Holder, Basehor, KS
Kerry Altenbernd, Lawrence, KS
Laurie Hamilton, Alma, KS
Carol Howard, Wamego KS
Lisa Grossman, Lawrence, KS
John & Annie Wilson, Elmdale, KS
Robert & Janice, Loveland , CO
Tom Leopold, Zeandale, KS
Dr. Brian A. Peterson, Wamego, KS
Bruce Waugh, Eskridge, KS
Marty Reed, Manhattan, KS
Jenny Henderson, Alma, KS
Bill & Kathy Hogue, Topeka, KS
Laurie Vincent, Wamego, KS
Kelly Yarbrough, Manhattan, KS
Melissa Eichman, Mission, KS
Darin Miller, Ironclad, Wamego, KS
Lucky ‘Leven 4-H Club, Wamego, KS
Breckin Musyoki, Wamego, KS
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