Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten has vetoed a road project that he says the city simply can't afford.

The Elevation Parkway Project is designed to connect southwest 37th and Gage with southwest 41st and Wanamaker.

Thursday Bunten vetoed an ordinance approving $1.4 million dollars to start buying rights of way for the project.

Bunten says he doesn't oppose elevation parkway, but says the city can't currently afford a project he said would cost at least $8 million dollars.

Mayor Bunten's Veto Message
To: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk
From: William W. Bunten, Mayor

Date: July 17, 2008

Subject: Veto Ordinance No. 19127

Ordinance No. 19127 provides funding for design and acquisition of right of way for the construction of Southwest Elevation Parkway in the amount of $1,400,000. Although I do not oppose this project, I do believe that with the limited resources available to address the city’s existing infrastructure problems that this is not the time to start a project that is conservatively estimated to cost a total of at least $8,000,000 to complete.

If the city council places a one half of one percent increase in the local sales tax on the ballot, and it is approved by the voters, this project could be revisited. But in the absence of that happening, it would be prudent to spend those significant dollars to address existing infrastructure problems.

For these reasons I today veto Ordinance No. 19127.