Salina, Kans. — Rep. J.R. Claeys (R-Salina) will serve on the 29 member Transportation Vision Task Force created by the Kansas Legislature to make recommendations for the next state transportation program. The current program, T-Works, is reaching the end of the 10-year plan. Claeys represents Salina in the Kansas House of Representatives.

“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature and with industry experts to design a plan that keeps our state transportation system ranked as one of the top in the nation,” said Claeys. “This last session we kept the promise of T-Works, so we can look forward to a program that maintains our progress.”

Claeys is one of six legislators automatically appointed to the task force based on their positions as committee chairs. Claeys chairs the Transportation & Public Safety Budget Committee in the House, the starting point for Kansas Department of Transportation budgets in the legislative process.

“Whether it is another 10 year plan, or a shorter program, it will have a large maintenance and preservation component,” said Claeys. “We currently require just under $400 million each year to maintain the state highway system in a condition that ranks consistently in the top five in the nation.”

The task force will evaluate the progress T-Works program, the condition of the current infrastructure, and the future needs of the system — including funding mechanisms.

“Local input is the most important part of any new plan,” said Claeys. “Once we gather those priorities, a plan will take shape.”

The task force will meet after the remaining members are named. Recommendations will be reported to the legislature for consideration no later than January 30, 2019.