The Kansas Department of Transportation is laying the groundwork for a new 10-year highway plan for the state. Before the Legislature promises billions of a dollars for a new plan, we've taken a look at current transportation spending and past trends.

Kansas has some of the best roads in the nation, and we've spent billions of dollars on transportation over the years. But do these investments really spur the economy?

According to the data, despite what our state poured into the transportation budget during the recessions of the early 1990s and following 9/11, we still lagged behind other states in job growth, per capita income, and in other measures.

Take a look at AFP's Fall 2008 Transportation Policy Primer.