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K-4 (Kansas highway)

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K-4 is the longest designated state highway in Kansas, at 369.079 miles (593.975 km). It begins north of Scott City at U.S. Route 83 (US-83) and travels eastward to US-59 near Nortonville in northeast Kansas. A segment of the highway in Saline County overlaps Interstate 135 (I-135) and US-81, and a section in Topeka runs concurrent with I-70. It also intersects several other major highways, including US-283 in Ransom, US-183 in La Crosse, US-281 in Hoisington, US-77 in Herington, I-470 and US-75 in Topeka, and US-24 northeast of Topeka.

K-4 marker
K-4
Map
K-4 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by KDOT and the city of Lindsborg
Length369.079 mi[2] (593.975 km)
Existed1927[1]–present
Major junctions
West end US-83 north of Scott City
Major intersections
East end US-59 in Nortonville
Location
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountiesScott, Lane, Ness, Rush, Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, McPherson, Saline, Dickinson, Morris, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Jefferson
Highway system
  • Kansas State Highway System
← K-3→ K-5

K-4 was first designated by KDOT in 1927, and at that time ran from K-1 (now U.S. Route 183) in La Crosse eastward to the Missouri state line by Atchison. By 1932, the highway was extended westward along the former alignment of K-52 to its current western terminus. Then in December 1994, K-4 was truncated to US-59 in Nortonville.

Route description

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Western Kansas

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The western terminus of K-4 at US-83 North of Scott City
 
K-156 approaching K-4 interchange

K-4 runs to the north of K-96 between its western terminus and the K-14 junction in Rice County. The route begins in rural Scott County at an intersection with U.S. Route 83. Sixteen miles (26 km) east of here, it passes through the town of Healy. About six miles (9.7 km) further east, it has a two-mile-long (3.2 km) concurrency with K-23.[3] From here, K-4 continues east as it serves the towns of Shields, Utica, Arnold, before reaching Ransom, where it intersects US-283. After passing through Brownell, K-4 serves as the southern terminus of K-147. K-4 then turns southward to bisect McCracken before turning to the east to cross US-183 in La Crosse, the county seat of Rush County.[3][4]

From La Crosse, K-4 heads due east, running through Otis as it approaches the Barton County line. It then meets US-281 in a T-intersection and begins an overlap with it. This overlap carries the two routes through to Hoisington, where they split up. K-4 then runs through Redwing and Claflin. East of Claflin, K-4 has a full folded diamond interchange with K-156. K-4 bypasses Bushton (which can be accessed via K-171) and cuts through Frederick before having a junction with K-14. It then runs just north of Geneseo and along the Rice/Ellsworth County line. The highway then moves fully into Ellsworth County, where it meets the south end of K-141.[3][5]

Central Kansas

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K-4 then enters McPherson County. It runs just north of Marquette, which lies at the opposite end of the former K-175, before heading towards downtown Lindsborg. In Lindsborg, K-4 encounters former US-81 Business, before heading north out of town and into Saline County. It then heads north in a concurrency with I-135 and US-81. K-4 merges onto the northbound freeway at exit 78, then splits off again at exit 82. The highway then bypasses Assaria to the west before heading north to spawn a child route, K-104, after which it turns due east once again. K-4 next serves Gypsum and Carlton before intersecting K-15. It then continues east to Hope, serving as the southern terminus for K-43 in the latter.[3][6]

 
I-70 eastbound at west end of K-4 / I-70 overlap

K-4 then runs north of the town of Herington. Near Herington, K-4 junctions with two north–south highways that connect through town: K-218 and US-77. Also near Herington, K-4 gets within two miles (3.2 km) of US-56, but never actually intersects it.[3] It then zig-zags northeast through Latimer before turning north at the northern end of K-149. The roadway then runs through White City and Dwight, where it intersects K-57. K-4 then has a brief concurrency with K-177, and 14 miles (23 km) after that concurrency ends, it forms another one with K-99. The two routes split apart in Eskridge. It then serves Dover before merging onto eastbound I-70 which is concurrent with US-40.[3][6]

The freeway then enter the state capital, Topeka. The next interchange, is for I-470 and is also where US-75 joins, forming a four-way overlap. US-75 then splits off on its own freeway at exit 358A. The freeway then snakes around downtown Topeka. At the East Topeka interchange, the Kansas Turnpike joins the mainline, and I-70 merges onto it. US-40 and K-4 split off to the north to their own freeway.[3][6]

East of Topeka

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US-40 splits off K-4 at the first interchange north of I-70. K-4 then downgrades to a Super-2 freeway. The next interchange (with Seward Avenue) serves Philip Billard Municipal Airport. K-4 then crosses the Kansas River and merges onto the US-24 expressway before splitting off again at the next interchange. K-4 then returns to its normal rural highway configuration.[3][6]

K-4 then curves southeast of Meriden (the former state route K-245 existed to connect the town to K-4 until dissolved in 2014[7]). It then passes the west end of K-92 near Rock Creek. It then has a brief overlap with K-16 in the Valley Falls area. K-4 then angles northeast to pass just south of Nortonville. Finally, K-4 comes to an end at US-59 just southeast of Nortonville.[3][6]

History

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Original alignment

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K-4 was first designated by KDOT in 1927, and at that time began at K-1 (now US-183) in La Crosse.[1][8] From La Crosse, K-4 followed its current alignment east to Herington.[8][9] Past Herington, K-4 continued east on US-50N (now US-56) to Council Grove, where it then followed a series of now unnumbered roadways to rejoin its present alignment at Eskridge. From Eskridge to west of Topeka, K-4 was identical to its current routing; however, at the intersection of SW Auburn Road and SW 21st Street, where K-4 currently continues north to access I-70, K-4 turned east, following SW 21st Street into Topeka. At Topeka Boulevard, K-4 turned north, following the street out of the city.[9]

K-4 remained on Topeka Boulevard north to an intersection with NE 82nd Street south of the Shawnee–Jackson county line. K-4 headed east on 82nd to Meriden, where it rejoined its modern routing near the modern intersection of K-4 and Butler Road east of Meriden. From Meriden to Valley Falls, K-4 did not follow its current alignment. Instead of bypassing Rock Creek, K-4 continued into Rock Creek on (what is now) Rock Creek Rd. K-4 continued North and curved to the east on 114th. From there K-4 continued east until Decatur Rd. where it curved back to the North. From there it continued north until curving back to the east on 134th, continuing on to Edwards Road where it curved to the north. From there K-4 went north to 142nd before curving back to the east. From here, it continued on to Valley Falls.[1][9]

Past Valley Falls, K-4 followed 162nd Street and modern K-16 east to Osage Road, where the route intersected K-16. At the time, K-4 and K-16 overlapped northward along Osage Road to Nortonville, then followed the modern alignments of US-159 and K-116 to Cummings. Between Cummings and Atchison, K-4 and K-16 zig-zagged across several roadways surrounding the current alignment of US-59 before joining the modern routing of US-59 just west of Atchison. In Atchison, K-16 split from K-4 and headed northward on modern K-7 while K-4 continued to the Missouri state line on current US-59.[1][9]

Extensions and realignments

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K-52
LocationNorth of Scott City–La Crosse
Existed1927–1932

By 1932, K-4 was extended westward from La Crosse, along the former K-52, to US-83 north of Scott City.[10] Then in a May 5, 1940 resolution, it was extended two miles (3.2 km) farther west to meet a new alignment of US-83.[11] From Herington to Eskridge, as well as between Topeka and Meriden, the modern routing of K-4 was unnumbered. Past Meriden, most of K-4's current roadway was unbuilt.[9]

In a June 19, 1936 resolution, K-4 was realigned slightly within La Crosse, which eliminated a short overlap with K-1 (modern US-183).[12] In an August 7, 1941 resolution, the highway was realigned to the south of Ransom, which eliminated two railroad crossings.[13] In a separate August 7, 1941 resolution, K-4 was realigned from Shields northeastward to Pendennis to eliminate four sharp curves.[14] In a June 5, 1945 resolution, K-4 was realigned Healy to east end of overlap with K-23. This realignment also eliminated a few railroad crossings.[15] In a June 5, 1946 resolution, K-4 was realigned slightly north by Otis to eliminate two railroad crossings.[16] In a June 24, 1953 resolution, K-4 was realigned slightly west, from Langley to northwest of Marquette.[17] In a February 25, 1953 resolution, it was realigned from the former curve north of Bushton to K-14 east of frederick. This created an overlap with K-14 to meet its old alignment. Then in a July 14, 1954 resolution, K-4 was realigned slightly north, to the north side of Geneseo. This realignment also eliminated the overlap with K-14.[18][19] Before 1956, K-4 originally followed US-50N (now US-56) from Herington to Council Grove, then northeast along now locally maintained highways to Eskridge. Then in a February 9, 1956 resolution, it was realigned to follow and replace K-10 to K-99, then continue east to meet its old alignment in Eskridge.[20] In an October 6, 1958 resolution, K-4 and US-59 was realigned between Cummings and Atchison to eliminate several sharp curves.[21] Then in a July 10, 1957 resolution, K-4 and US-59 was realigned further southwestward from Cummings to Nortonville.[22] In a February 25, 1959 resolution, K-4 was realigned between Meriden and Valley Falls to remove some dangerous curves.[23]

In a March 22, 1960 resolution, K-4 Alternate was to be established from K-4 north to US-40 and I-70, west of Topeka. But then in a July 11, 1962 resolution, it was rescinded and K-4 had been extended north to US-40 and I-70 along the proposed K-4 Alternate.[24][25] In an August 10, 1960 resolution, K-4 and US-59 was realigned to the east of Nortonville, and US-159 alternate was created. Then roughly 20 years later, K-4 Alternate was created and replaced US-159 Alternate.[26][27] K-4 originally travelled west from Meriden to US-75, which it then followed south to US-24 in Topeka. Then in a December 4, 1963 resolution, it was realigned to continue south from Meriden to US-24, then followed US-24 west into Topeka.[28] In an April 21, 1967 resolution, K-4 and K-16 was realigned in and around Valley Falls to make way for the new Perry Reservoir. Also at this time a short K-4 spur was created, and when extended was to become a new alignment of K-4 between Valley Falls and Nortonville.[29] In a September 9, 1969 resolution, K-4 was realigned slightly within Lindsborg and onto US-81.[30] In a January 4, 1982 resolution, US-81, along K-4 from Lindsborg to US-81 in Bridgeport, was redesignated as US-81 Business.[31] In an October 10, 1991 resolution, K-4 was extended south from US-24 to US-40 west of Tecumseh.[32]

Between 1968 and 1997, K-4 was aligned along US-75 between I-70/US-40 and US-24 and then US-24 in Topeka. In 1997, the Oakland Expressway, serving eastern Topeka, was opened and K-4 gained its current route through Topeka.[33] On December 1, 1994, K-4's eastern terminus was truncated to US-59 in Nortonville.[34]

Future

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In May 2020, KDOT's Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Plan was announced. One project included in the statewide plan will reconstruct K-4 from 0.5 miles (0.80 km) west of Simpson Road to 400 feet (120 m) east of Niles Road.[35]

Major intersections

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CountyLocationmi[2]kmExitDestinationsNotes
Scott​0.000.00  US-83 (Western Vistas Historic Byway) – Scott City, OakleyWestern terminus; road continues as Road 230 (unpaved)
Lane​21.8435.15 
  K-23 north		Western end of K-23 concurrency
​23.8638.40 
  K-23 south		Eastern end of K-23 concurrency
NessRansom55.1288.71  US-283
​64.11103.18 
  K-147 north		Southern terminus of K-147
RushLa Crosse93.67150.75  US-183
Barton​118.77191.14 
  US-281 north		Western end of US-281 concurrency
Hoisington123.36198.53 
  US-281 south		Eastern end of US-281 concurrency
​138.14222.31  K-156Folded diamond interchange
RiceGeneseo154.74249.03  K-14
Ellsworth​169.59272.93 
  K-141 north		Southern terminus of K-141
McPherson
 No major junctions
Saline​190.40306.42  
  I-135 / US-81 south – Wichita		I-135 exit 78; western end of concurrency with I-135/US-81
Assaria194.49313.00  
  I-135 / US-81 north – Salina		I-135 exit 82; eastern end of concurrency with I-135/US-81
​197.04317.11 
  K-104 north		Southern terminus of K-104
DickinsonElmo220.03354.10  K-15
Hope229.04368.60 
  K-43 north		Southern terminus of K-43
Herington234.78377.84 
  K-218 south		Northern terminus of K-218
236.79381.08  US-77
Morris​249.06400.82 
  K-149 south		Northern terminus of K-149
Dwight264.06424.96 
  K-57 north		Southern terminus of K-57
Morris–Wabaunsee
county line		​269.05432.99 
  K-177 south – Council Grove		Western end of K-177 concurrency
​270.05434.60 
  K-177 north – Manhattan		Eastern end of K-177 concurrency
Wabaunsee​283.97457.01 
  K-99 north		Western end of K-99 concurrency
Eskridge294.12473.34 
  K-99 south		Eastern end of K-99 concurrency
Shawnee​321.53517.45  
  I-70 / US-40 west – Salina		I-70 exit 353; western end of concurrency with I-70/US-40
Topeka323.62520.82355 
  
  I-470 east / US-75 south – Topeka		Western end of concurrency with US-75; western terminus of I-470; exit numbers follow I-70
324.52522.26356Wanamaker Road
325.65524.08357AFairlawn RoadSigned as exit 357 eastbound
326.12524.84357BDanbury LaneWestbound exit only
326.16524.90358A 
  US-75 north		Eastern end of concurrency with US-75; signed as exit 358 eastbound
326.54525.52358BGage BoulevardSigned as exit 358 eastbound
327.56527.16359MacVicar Avenue
329.23529.84361A1st AvenueProvides access to Topeka Boulevard. Eastbound exit and westbound entrance.
329.94530.99361B3rd Street, Monroe StreetEastbound exit and westbound entrance
330.04–
330.66		531.15–
532.15		362A4th StreetWestbound exit and eastbound entrance
362B8th AvenueSigned as exit 362 eastbound
362C10th Avenue, Madison StreetWestbound exit and eastbound entrance
331.11532.87363Adams Street, Branner Trafficway
332.08534.43364ACalifornia Avenue
332.82535.62364BCarnahan Avenue, Deer Creek Trafficway
333.58536.84365Rice Road
334.39538.15—  
  I-70 / Kansas Turnpike east – Kansas City		I-70 exit 366; eastern end of I-70 concurrency
West end of super two
335.44539.84— 
  US-40 east (6th Street)		Eastern end of US-40 concurrency
336.48541.51—Seward Avenue
​339.01545.58— 
  US-24 west – Manhattan		Western end of US-24 concurrency
​East end of super two
​339.66546.63— 
  US-24 east – Lawrence		Diamond interchange; eastern end of US-24 concurrency
JeffersonMeriden346.34557.38 
  K-245 north		Southern terminus of K-245
​350.80564.56 
  K-92 east		Western terminus of K-92
Valley Falls360.26579.78 
  K-16 west		Western end of K-16 concurrency
361.07581.09 
  K-16 east		Eastern end of K-16 concurrency
Nortonville368.62593.24 
 
  K-4 Alt. east (Osage Street) – Nortonville, Hiawatha		Western terminus of K-4 Alt.
369.08593.98  US-59 – Atchison, OskaloosaEastern terminus; highway continues north as US-59
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Alternate route

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K-4 Alternate
LocationNortonville
Length1.100 mi (1.770 km)
ExistedApril 1, 1981[27]–present

K-4 Alternate is a 1.100-mile-long (1.770 km) alternate route of K-4 that serves Nortonville. It begins at K-4 and travels north to an intersection with US-159. At US-159, K-4 Alt. turns eastward and the two highways run east together and end at an intersection on the east Nortonville city line at US-59. K-4 Alt. was designated on April 1, 1981, and its alignment has not changed since.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Rand McNally and Company (1927). "Kansas" (Map). Rand McNally Auto Road Atlas of the United States and Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces of Canada, with a Brief Description of the National Parks and Monuments. 1:1,600,000. Chicago: Rand McNally and Company. pp. 54–55. OCLC 2078375. Retrieved April 12, 2020 – via Rumsey Collection.
  2. ^ a b Staff (2016). "Pavement Management Information System". Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Official State Transportation Map (Map) (2007-2008 ed.). Kansas Department of Transportation.
  4. ^ Microsoft; Nokia. "overview map of K-4 from in western terminus to US-183 in La Crosse" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  5. ^ Microsoft; Nokia. "overview map of K-4 from US-183 in La Crosse to K-141 east of Geneseo" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e Microsoft; Nokia. "Overview map of K-4 from K-141 to eastern terminus" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  7. ^ Office of the Secretary of Transportation (January 3, 2014). "Resolution to Withdraw Highways in Jefferson County". Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Rand McNally Auto Road Atlas (western Kansas)". Rand McNally. 1926. Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Rand McNally Auto Road Atlas (eastern Kansas)". Rand McNally. 1926. Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
  10. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1932). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. OCLC 1007837202. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  11. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (June 19, 1936). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Scott County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  12. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (June 19, 1936). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Rush County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  13. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (August 7, 1941). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Ness County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  14. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (August 7, 1941). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Lane County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  15. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (June 5, 1945). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Lane County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  16. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (June 5, 1945). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Rush County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  17. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (June 24, 1953). "Resolution to relocate road in McPherson and Ellsworth Counties". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  18. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (July 14, 1954). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Rice County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  19. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (February 25, 1953). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Rice County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  20. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (February 9, 1956). "Resolution for K-4 State Highway Commission of Kansas". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  21. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (October 6, 1954). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Atchison County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  22. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (July 10, 1957). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Atchison County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  23. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (February 25, 1959). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Jefferson County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  24. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (July 11, 1962). "Resolution to remove state highway designation from road in Shawnee County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  25. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (March 22, 1960). "Resolution for addition to state highway system K-4 Alternate in Shawnee County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  26. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (August 10, 1960). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Jefferson County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  27. ^ a b c State Highway Commission of Kansas (April 1, 1981). "Resolution to redesignate a portion of two highways in Jefferson County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  28. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (December 4, 1963). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Shawnee and Jefferson Counties". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  29. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (April 21, 1967). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of roads in Jefferson County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  30. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (September 9, 1969). "Resolution for withdrawal of road in McPherson County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  31. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (January 4, 1982). "Resolution to redesignate a highway in McPherson and Saline Counties". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  32. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (October 21, 1991). "Resolution to relocate several segments of highways K-4 and US-40 in Shawnee County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  33. ^ "Kansas Highways Routelog". Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved September 2, 2006.
  34. ^ Kansas Department of Transportation (December 1, 1994). "Resolution to withdraw the K-4 route designation from segments of highway in Atchison and Jefferson Counties". Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  35. ^ Kansas Department of Transportation (May 2020). "District 2" (PDF). Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
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