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New KDOT Head Wants To Invest In Maintenance And Staff

Kansas News Service/File photo

The next head of the Kansas Department of Transportation is looking to invest more in maintenance of the highway system and rebuild agency staff.

Democratic Gov.-elect Laura Kelly has picked Julie Lorenz as interim head of KDOT.

Lorenz will be taking the helm after years of lawmakers diverting road funding to balance the state budget. She hopes that will slow, but said the state’s finances are still recovering.

“We also have to take a measured, balanced approach. It’s going to take a while. It’s a long road to recovery," she said. "I think we just have to all work together and try to stabilize and move forward.”

Michael White of the Kansas Contractors Association says Lorenz showed her ability to collaborate when she helped shepherd through a 10-year Kansas transportation plan known as T-Works.

"She clearly had that engagement with the Legislature to pass it and she clearly wants to work with the industry to move things forward,” White said.

Lorenz says she'll be consulting agency staff, lawmakers and local officials as Kansas plots out its transportation future.

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse Reporter for Kansas Public Radio, a partner in the Kansas News Service with KCUR, KMUW, and High Plains Public Radio. Follow him on Twitter @kprkoranda.

Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to the original post.

Stephen Koranda is the managing editor of the Kansas News Service, based at KCUR. He has nearly 20 years of experience in public media as a reporter and editor.