ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

November 19, 1998 10:20 AM, EST

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Bill Graves' transportation task force has agreed on a proposal for a new comprehensive highway program - one that almost certainly would mean a large tax increase.

The plan endorsed on Wednesday would require the state to raise more than $4.2 billion over eight years to finance its projects.

The vast majority of spending would be on highways, but the program would contain some money for airports and public transportation.

Transportation Secretary Dean Carlson said: "It would be a very comprehensive program that would have tremendous benefits."

The state started a $3 billion, eight-year highway improvement program in 1989. The question of starting another arose because the Department of Transportation estimated that existing revenues would not allow it to keep up with maintenance in future years.

The new program would be different than the old one in that it would include some money for railroads and airports. Airports would receive $24 million over eight years and railroads, $32 million.