Big Day in Topeka Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a big day in Topeka.

Depot Redux is waiting for four ships to come in 2010. The first one comes in tomorrow.

The Amtrak Expansion Feasibility Study is complete. The results will be announced at a KDOT press conference at 10 a.m. in Auditorium B (or D, to be announced) on the 4th floor of the Eisenhower Building. It is 2 blocks north of the capitol.

After the press conference, members of the Northern Flyer Alliance will meet with Transportation Secretary Deb Miller to further explain the results of the study.

At 1:30 KDOT will make a presentation about the study results to the joint House and Senate Transportation Committees on the 7th floor of the Docking Bldg. in Transp. Comm. hearing room (probably Rm 783).

Call Carey MM at 785-842-6517 to arrange for ride sharing to Topeka tomorrow.

Ship # 2 is installation of new platform at LRC (the Santa Fe Station in Lawrence).
Ship # 3 is the ownership transfer of the building to the City
Ship # 4 is announcement of grant awards for Transportation Enhancement projects from KDOT

Spring Cleaning

Join us on Sunday March 7 at 3 to put the shine back on the depot. This time we have some painting prep work to do as well. We are looking for a donation of a flat of pansies for the planters. Would that come from you?

Special thanks to Terry Smith, above, who attended the hearing on SB 409, the Kansas Passenger Rail Development Act, by the House Transportation Committee.

The Committee passed SB-409 to the full House for a vote March 4th. A floor vote is likely next week. This leaves little time to act to express your support for this bill. Please call as many of the State Representatives as you can. We are only a couple of steps away... Here's who to call: 10 Tony Brown 785-296-7648 38 Anthony Brown 785-296-7679 (Note: He voted AGAINST HB-2552) 44 Barbara Ballard 785-296-7697 45 Tom Sloan 785-296-7654 46 Paul Davis: 785-296-7630 53 Ann Mah 785-296-7668 When you leave your message, speak to the fact that federal funding for passenger rail expansion, up to 100%, will be more easily secured if SB-409 is passed. This federal funding will bring direct and indirect relief for the sluggish Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas economies. PLEASE do not wait to call these representatives. The passage of this bill requires a 2/3rds majority. We are getting very close and the session is not even half over!