Homeland security and defense require a reliable transportation network

• Movement of military equipment and personnel for overseas deployment has increased during the last 15 years.

• Growing population in areas along the coast depend upon safe hurricane evacuation options.

• Alternate routes are needed to ensure reliable access to defense facilities.

Upgrading the K-18 Corridor in Kansas

The 16-mile, K-18 corridor between Fort Riley and the city of Manhattan links a rapidly expanding military installation and Kansas State University. Combined with the activity generated by regional agriculture, the number of vehicles using this corridor will expand more than 40 percent in the next 20 years. The region already has experienced explosive growth as the 1st Infantry Division returns to Fort Riley, expanding the post by 19,000 soldiers plus an additional 10,000 employees. Capacity pressures on K-18 will be accelerated by the Department of Defense’s decision to locate the $450 million National Bio and Agro-defense Facility, which will provide 500 jobs and attract 50 additional research firms to Manhattan.

Hoover Dam Bypass Project Could Avert Tragedy

The Colorado River Bridge is the centerpiece of the Hoover Dam Bypass Project. When completed, the bridge will span the Black Canyon (about 1,500 feet south of the Hoover Dam), connecting the Arizona and Nevada approach highways nearly 900 feet above the Colorado River. Unless the traffic across the top of the Dam is diverted to the new bridge, increased traffic volumes combined with the sharp curves on US 93 in the vicinity of Hoover Dam create a potentially dangerous situation. If a man-made or natural disaster should occur in the area, significant numbers of people could be at risk. The contamination of Lake Mead, and interruption of the power and water supply for people in the Southwest are also possible.

Nimitz Highway in Hawaii is Critical Link

On the island of Oahu, the Nimitz Highway is the sole access to the Honolulu Harbor, the primary Hawaiian port where more than 90 percent of goods enter or leave the state. The route also serves as an essential connection to two military bases, the Hickam Air Force Base and the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. Although the highway has been widened twice, it must be improved to meet current and forecasted travel demands. The cost for this project is estimated at $600 million.

For more information and for detailed examples by state of needed capacity on both the National Highway System and the Interstates, go to http://ExpandingCapacity.transportation.org.

More information on AASHTO’s authorization programs can be found at http://AreWeThereYet. transportation.org.