By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran payed an unexpected visit to the Geary County Commission on Monday. He informed the governing body that a recent transportation appropriation bill was approved that contained money to redo the interchange at K-18 and I-70. The Senator noted that the interchange is odd and needs attention.
Moran also touched on recent funding allotted for Fort Riley totaling $116.3 million. It will cover projects including $105 million for an aircraft maintenance hangar, 8.7 million for infantry platoon battle course, $1.6 million for planning and design of a new air traffic control tower and $1.1 million for planning and design improvements to the Bob Dole Railyard.
Moran said it all fits into a plan to ensure that if there are more Soldiers to be placed somewhere that the location is at Fort Riley. He noted his long term mission has been to more than adequately fund schools and healthcare, and continue to improve the funding for housing. The Senator said that there was money designated last year for construction of barracks, and as he understood it planning and design work for that project is about over.
On the goal of obtaining a third brigade of troops for Fort Riley Moran indicated it may not happen anytime soon but there are efforts to ensure that the lack of recruitment and end strength reductions Fort Riley does not lose much of anything.
On a separate topic Moran noted that he is the Co-Chair of the Army Caucus in the Senate.