Governor Laura Kelly announces more than $40,000,000 has been awarded statewide for 31 local bridge improvement projects.

In Montgomery County, a bridge located about three miles north and three miles west of Sycamore will receive $1.9 million through the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program. Cherokee County was awarded $1.2 million for a bridge project east of Columbus. Additional federal Off-System Bridge Program funding is headed to the area. Labette County will receive $1.7 million for a bridge on 109 Road over Pumpkin Creek near Mound Valley, while Wilson County will receive $1.25 million for a bridge on U-14.1 Road over Pumpkin Creek north of Altoona.

KDOT says the projects are part of an effort to improve aging local bridges and strengthen transportation infrastructure across Kansas. The agency reports there are more than 19,000 bridges on local road systems statewide, with more than 5,000 needing updates to meet current standards.