High Risk Rural Roads Program 

The Highway Safety Improvement Program – High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program is a federally funded initiative administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). The program’s purpose is to enhance roadway safety and reduce crash incidences on rural roadways that have crash rates exceeding the state average or are at risk of doing so. The initiative targets cost-effective safety countermeasures designed specifically for local roads deemed high-risk based on systemic or site-specific data. Eligible projects include low-cost but impactful safety improvements such as pavement markings, rumble strips, tree removal, upgraded or additional signage, and the enhancement of roadside barriers including culvert headwalls and guardrails. The intent is to promote preventive and corrective strategies that are both fiscally and practically efficient in minimizing roadway hazards. To qualify for this funding opportunity, applicants must have signed up for or completed a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP). Without participation in an LRSP, a jurisdiction becomes ineligible for HRRR funding. The application distinguishes between “systemic” and “site-specific” project types. Site-specific applications must include a minimum of three years of crash data. Additionally, applicants must provide current and projected average daily traffic (ADT) values and a location description, including maps and details such as nearby railroad crossings. The funding application requires a detailed breakdown of anticipated project costs, including phases such as preliminary engineering, utility relocation, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and construction engineering (inspection). A signed and dated application form must accompany the submission, along with any relevant engineering studies (excluding LRSPs). The grant is not offered on a rolling basis but recurs annually. The current funding cycle is for Federal Fiscal Year 2025. Though the application’s opening and closing dates are not explicitly stated, the structured format of the HRRR form and mention of Federal Fiscal Year 2025 suggests a recurring pattern of availability each fiscal year. When KDOT is ready to solicit projects, it sends out an application memo. Contact persons for this program include Hugh Bogle and Bill Legge, both serving as Local Road Engineers. Hugh Bogle can be reached at (785) 207-8052, and Bill Legge at (785) 296-3861. No email addresses were listed directly in the source, though a link titled “Email” is mentioned, suggesting that users might need to use an online contact form or directory.

Ensure the LRSP is completed before applying. Gather crash data and ADT figures in advance. Prepare detailed location maps and cost estimates.