Kansas DOT forms freight advisory committee

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has formed a Kansas Freight Advisory Committee to help ensure that multi-modal freight needs are addressed in the planning, investment and operation of the state's transportation system.

The committee held its first meeting April 2 in Topeka and has scheduled meetings for May 21 in Salina, July 9 in Wichita and Aug. 20 in Overland Park.

"As well as advising and assisting with identifying freight transportation issues, the committee will help us prioritize highway and rail-freight corridors of significance, and identify multi-modal freight infrastructure needs," said Kansas Transportation Secretary Mike King in a press release.

Members of the committee include Tom Whitaker of the Kansas Motor Carriers Association; French Thompson of BNSF Railway Co.; Ben Jones of Union Pacific Railroad; Rick Webb of the Watco Cos. L.L.C.; Mike Kelley of YRC Worldwide; Kimberly Bonhart of UPS; Tom Allen of Cargill; Dwight Keen of the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association; Tom Tunnell of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association; Jason Hammes of Frito Lay; Chris Gutierrez of KC SmartPort; and Mike Bowen of the Federal Highway Administration.

State Reps. Melanie Meier and Bud Estes, and State Sens. Pat Apple and Garrett Love also retain seats on the committee. State agencies participating in committee discussions include KDOT, the Kansas Turnpike Authority, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Agriculture and Kansas Corporation Commission.