K-61 (Kansas highway)
K-61 highlighted in red | ||||
Route information | ||||
Maintained by KDOT and the city of Hutchinson | ||||
Length | 83.358 mi[3] (134.152 km) | |||
Existed | c. 1928[1][2]–present | |||
Major junctions | ||||
South end | ![]() ![]() | |||
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North end | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |||
Location | ||||
Country | United States | |||
State | Kansas | |||
Counties | Pratt, Reno, McPherson | |||
Highway system | ||||
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K-61 is a 83.358-mile-long (134.152 km) north–south state highway in central Kansas. K-61's southern terminus is at U.S. Route 54 (US-54) and US-400 on the east side of Pratt. The northern terminus is at Interstate 135 (I-135) and US-81 south of McPherson. The highway travels mostly through rural areas; however, it does pass through South Hutchinson and Hutchinson, where it intersects K-14, K-96, and US-50. K-61 is signed as a north–south but runs in southwest to northeast direction.
K-61 was established as a state highway by 1928. Throughout the 1940s and into 1950, the highway's alignment was straightened between Pratt and Hutchinson. In 1957, K-17 was truncated to end in Hutchinson. At this time K-61 was extended over K-17's former alignment to US-81 by McPherson. By the end of 1959, K-61's alignment had been straightened from Hutchinson to McPherson. Throughout the 1960s, the alignment was changed within the city of Hutchinson. By 1969, I-35W (modern I-135) had been built and K-61 extended to it. From 2009 to 2012, a new four-lane alignment was built between Hutchinson and McPherson.
Route description
[edit]All but 1.851 miles (3 km) of K-61's alignment is maintained by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT); the section of K-61 from US-50 north to East 30th Avenue within Hutchinson is maintained by the city.[4] The entire length of K-61 is a part of the National Highway System, which is a system of highways important to the nation's defense, economy, and mobility.[5][6] KDOT tracks the traffic levels on its highways, and in 2020, they determined that, on average, the traffic ranged from 1,890 vehicles per day southwest of Turon to 10,100 vehicles per day north of A Avenue in Hutchinson. The second highest was 7,690 vehicles per day near the northern terminus.[7] K-61 travels in a southwest–northeast direction but is signed as north–south its entire length.[8]
Pratt to Hutchinson
[edit]K-61's southern terminus is at U.S. Route 54 (US-54) and US-400 on the east edge of Pratt. The highway proceeds north as a divided highway, passing by Pratt Community Junior College, before intersecting NE 10th Street. Just past 10th, the highway transitions to two lanes and begins to curve northeast.[9] K-61 begins to parallel a Union Pacific Railroad track and continues in a northeast direction. The highway continues through flat rural farmland to an intersection with NE 40th Avenue, which goes north to the small community of Natrona. The roadway proceeds northeast to a crossing over Silver Creek, before entering Preston. K-61 continues to NW 80th Street, where it exits the city.[10] The roadway continues northeast through mostly flat farmland and soon enters into Reno County.[11] K-61 continues into the county and soon enters Turon. The highway continues northeast out of the city, parallel to the railroad to a crossing over Wolf Creek, before entering Langdon.[8][12][13][14]
The roadway exits the city and proceeds northeast to a junction with K-11.[15] K-61 crosses over Skinnawah Creek, then enters Arlington. The highway crosses over the North Fork Ninnescah River before exiting the city.[16] K-61 continues through rural farmland to a crossing over Irish Creek. The roadway proceeds northeast for a short distance and enters Partridge.[17] K-61 exits the city and soon crosses over Red Rock Creek before reaching an incomplete interchange with US-50. Northbound K-61 can't access westbound US-50, and eastbound US-50 can't access southbound K-61. K-61 begins to overlap US-50 as they continue northeast and become a four-lane divided highway. The highway crosses Sand Creek then curves east and soon reaches half clover interchange with K-14 and K-96. K-14 and K-96 begin to overlap K-61 and US-50, as the four highways continue east. The highway enters South Hutchinson before reaching a diamond interchange, where K-14 and K-96 exit and travel south as K-61 and US-50 continue east.[8][13][14]
Hutchinson to McPherson
[edit]K-61 and US-50 reach a diamond interchange with Scott Boulevard and McNew Road before curving northeast and crossing over the Arkansas River.[18] K-61 splits from US-50 and turns north into Hutchinson as US-50 continues east. Within the Hutchinson city limits K-61 is signed as the Ken Kennedy Freeway. K-61 crosses over several railroad tracks before reaching a partial cloverleaf interchange with Avenue A. K-61 curves northeast and reaches an interchange with East 17th Avenue near the Hutchinson Mall. The roadway then reaches an intersection with East 30th Avenue, where it transitions to a (mostly) controlled-access highway. The highway continues northward to a diamond interchange with East 56th Avenue before curving northeast.[19] It then reaches a diamond interchange with Medora Road, which travels east to Medora. K-61 crosses the Little Arkansas River then enters into McPherson County.[14] K-61 continues through farmland to an at-grade intersection with Arapaho Road then another with Buckskin Road.[8][13][20]
The roadway curves north and reaches a diamond interchange with Cherokee Road and Center Street, which travels east to Inman.[21] The highway curves back northeast and proceeds past at-grade intersections with Chisholm Road and Comanche Road before reaching Groveland. K-61 then curves northeast and continues to an at-grade intersection with Eisenhower Road and a partial interchange with K-153, where northbound K-61 exits onto northbound K-153 and southbound K-153 exits onto southbound K-61. The highway continues through farmland to a partial interchange with K-153 Spur south of McPherson, where southbound K-61 exits onto northbound K-153 Spur and southbound K-153 Spur exits onto northbound K-61. The roadway crosses over a railroad track then reaches a partial cloverleaf interchange, where it begins a wrong-way overlap with US-81 Business. K-61 curves east and crosses over Dry Turkey Creek before reaching its northern terminus at a partial interchange with Interstate 135 (I-35) and US-81.[8][13][20]
History
[edit]Establishment and early realignments
[edit]K-61 was designated as a state highway by the State Highway Commission of Kansas (SHC) by 1928. At that time it began at US-54 by Cairo and travelled north through Preston. North of Preston, it turned east and soon entered Turon where it turned north. The highway continued northward and ended at US-50S (modern US-50) by Sylvia.[1][2]
In a resolution on August 7, 1941, it was approved to build a new alignment of K-61 from Preston northeast to Turon. Prior to this, the highway followed Northeast 100th Avenue north from Preston to Northeast 110th Street, which it followed east to Preston.[22] On August 20, 1941, it was approved to build a new alignment of K-61 from Turon northeast through Langdon, Arlington and Partridge to Hutchinson. Before this, K-61 proceeded north from Turon to US-50S by Sylvia.[23] On July 26, 1946, the SHC approved bids for grading, surfacing, building of three bridges, and seeding the shoulders on the section between Turon and Langdon.[24] In a resolution on August 28, 1946, it was approved to build a new alignment of K-61 from US-54 just east of Pratt northeast to Preston. Before this K-61 traveled directly south from Preston to US-54.[25]
At the end of April and early May 1948, the SHC asked for bids to pave the new alignment from US-54 to southwest of Preston, and the section from Preston's east city limits northeast to Langdon's east city limits.[26] On May 18, 1948, the SHC accepted a bid for the paving project.[27] In the beginning of November 1948, the SHC asked for bids for grading, surfacing and bridges on a section of K-61 from slightly southwest of Arlington northeast for 2.6 miles (4.2 km).[28] On the 26th of that month, the SHC approved a bid for the project to proceed.[29] The section from US-54 to Preston was finished by the end of 1948. On February 8, 1949, the city of Preston approved a $4,000 (equivalent to $40,588 in 2023 dollars)[30] bond to buy right-of-way for the section within the city.[31] In May 1949, the SHC asked for bids for grading and surfacing from the north city limits of Preston southwest for two miles (3.2 km).[32]
In early August 1949, the SHC asked for bids to build a section from Langdon northeast seven miles (11 km).[33] On August 26, 1949, a bid was approved by the SHC for the segment to be built.[34] In mid-April 1950, the unfinished section between Langdon and Arlington was opened to keep the dirt packed. Construction to finish the section was started in May 1950, with it being finished by summer that year.[35] By September 28, 1950, this last section was almost completed. It had been supposed to open a few weeks earlier but was being delayed by rain, which was causing soft spots.[36] The section opened to traffic the next day, which completed the new diagonal route between Pratt and Hutchinson.[37]
Extension to McPherson
[edit]K-61 originally ended in Hutchinson at US-50.[38][39] On February 2, 1957, it was approved to truncate K-17 to Hutchinson and to extend K-61 along the former K-17 to US-81 in McPherson.[40] From Hutchinson, it went northeast to Medora then turned east. K-61 continued east to Buhler, where it turned north. The highway continued north to Inman where it turned east. K-61 continued east to 14th Avenue then turned north and terminated at US-81 south of McPherson.[38][39] At this time the SHC began to plan on building a direct diagonal route between Hutchinson and McPherson.[40] In mid February, the cities of McPherson, Hutchinson, and Pratt requested that K-61 and K-17 from Hutchinson to McPherson be given a Federal route number.[41] This never happened and it remained the way the SHC planned.[42] In mid-August 1957, the new diagonal section between Inman and Medora was opened to traffic.[43]
On February 12, 1958, it was approved to build a new alignment of K-61 from Inman directly northeast to McPherson.[44] At the end of March, the SHC approved bids for grading of the section and for building three bridges on the project.[45] On July 8, 1958, the SHC asked for bids for a base and surfacing of this new section.[46] A few weeks later, the SHC approved a bid for paving the section of K-61.[47] The new diagonal section between McPherson and Inman was opened to traffic on August 6, 1959.[48]
Hutchinson rerouting
[edit]In 1961, K-61 entered South Hutchinson from the west on Blanchard Avenue. It then turned north onto Main Street and crossed Arkansas River into Hutchinson. The highway continued north on Main to 30th Avenue where it curved east then northeast toward McPherson.[49] At the end of May 1961, the SHC announced a project to for grading and a bridge on a new alignment of K-61 from what is now US-50 north to G Avenue in Hutchinson. Also a project for grading and bridges on a new alignment of K-61 and US-50 from K-17 to where K-61 currently turns north off US-50. Both projects were expected to begin after July 1 that year.[50] On June 27, 1963, the SHC asked for bids for concrete pavement on the section of K-61 and US-50 and the section of K-61 from US-50 north to G Avenue.[51] The next month a bid was approved for the concrete paving on both projects.[52]
By 1965, the section between US-50 and 4th Avenue had been opened.[53][54] By 1967, K-61 was taken off of 30th Avenue and Main Street in Hutchinson. At this time the section between US-50 and Avenue G, and the section between 4th Avenue and 30th Avenue was four-lane.[55][56] In mid May 1967, the SHC approved a bid for a project to add frontage roads at the junction with US-50 and to improve the intersections with 17th Street and 30th Street in Hutchinson.[57] By 1971, the new four-lane section of K-61 and US-50 from K-96 west had been opened to traffic.[58][59] By 1975, the entire section of K-61 from US-50 north in Hutchinson was four lanes.[60][61]
Extension to I-35W
[edit]K-61 originally ended at US-81 southwest of McPherson.[62] In January 1965, construction plans were agreed on so that right-of-way acquisitions could proceed on the extension of K-61 to the new I-35W.[63] In a resolution on August 24, 1966, it was approved to build I-35W (modern I-135) to the east of McPherson and realign US-81 onto it, to extend K-61 to the new I-35W, and to eliminate US-81 Alternate. Also in the resolution, the former section of US-81 from the new K-61 alignment north to US-56 remained in the state highway system.[64] The section of former K-61 from the new K-61 to US-81, and former section of US-81 from there north to US-56 became K-61 Spur. The remaining section of US-81 was designated as K-61 Connector.[65] The city of McPherson complained about the removal of US-81 Alternate.[66] Then in a resolution passed on March 29, 1967, it was approved to re-establish US-81 Alternate in McPherson.[65] In a resolution on August 28, 1968, it was approved to renumber K-61 Alternate to K-153, and K-61 Spur to K-153 Spur.[67]
On December 19, 1967, the SHC asked for bids to build the extension of K-61 that will link to the new I-35W.[68] Bids were approved for grading, building nine bridges, and seeding the shoulders.[69] On May 23, 1968, the SHC asked for bids to build a bridge to complete the interchange between I-35W and K-61.[70] By the next month, work was progressing rapidly on the project.[71] At the end of July 1968, the SHC approved a bid to pave the new stretch of roadway.[72] By July 1969, the new I-35W had been built from the Saline-McPherson county line north to K-61. Also the section of the K-61 extension was opened from Main Street (modern US-81 Bus.) to I-35W.[73]
On November 20, 1969, the SHC asked for bids for improvements on a section from US-54 north for 1.3 miles (2.1 km).[74] At the end of that month, the SHC asked for bids to add lighting at the interchange with US-81 Business and the interchange with I-35W.[75] On September 13, 1976, I-35W was renumbered to I-135.[76] In an AASHTO meeting on October 13, 1979, it was approved to redesignate US-81 Alternate as US-81 Business within McPherson. The redesignation was approved by KDOT on April 1, 1981.[77]
Improvements
[edit]As early as September 1964, the section of K-61 between Hutchinson and McPherson was planned to become a four-lane freeway.[78] In a resolution passed on September 9, 2009, it was approved to rebuild and realign K-61 in Reno and McPherson counties from Hutchinson northeast to the junction with K-153 Spur.[79] The new alignment of K-61 would be built as a four-lane divided highway with some intersections changed to grade-separated interchanges, and the number of at-grade intersections reduced. The original route went through Medora and Inman, but the new route would bypass both, west of its original route.[80][79]
In October 2011, the section of K-61 in McPherson County opened to traffic, and it was announced that the section in Reno County would open next year.[81] On May 5, 2012, the new section in Reno County opened to traffic, with southbound traffic switching over around 12 p.m. and northbound traffic switching over at 3 p.m.; the pedestrian bridge over the highway was completed later in 2012. The $105.3 million (equivalent to $138 million in 2023 dollars)[30] project was completed by Koss Construction of Topeka.[81][82] In 2013, the new section of the highway was designated the John Neal Memorial Highway in memory of a major advocate of the project.[83]
Major intersections
[edit]All exits are unnumbered.
County | Location | mi[3] | km | Destinations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pratt | Pratt | 0.000 | 0.000 | ![]() ![]() | Southern terminus |
Reno | Arlington Township | 34.119 | 54.909 | ![]() ![]() | Northern terminus of K-11; former K-14 south |
Arlington | 35.264 | 56.752 | North Howard Street | Former K-14 north | |
Center Township | 44.893 | 72.248 | ![]() ![]() | Southern end of US-50 concurrency; southern end of expressway section; partial interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance | |
Reno Township | 50.401 | 81.113 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Southern end of K-14/K-96 concurrency; half clover interchange | |
South Hutchinson | 51.913 | 83.546 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Northern end of K-14/K-96 concurrency; diamond interchange | |
52.896 | 85.128 | Scott Boulevard / McNew Road | Diamond interchange | ||
Hutchinson | 54.020 | 86.937 | ![]() ![]() | Northern end of US-50 concurrency; diamond interchange | |
55.620 | 89.512 | Avenue A | Partial cloverleaf interchange | ||
Clay–Medora township line | 96.509 | 155.316 | E. 56th Avenue – Sand Hills State Park | Diamond interchange | |
Medora | 64.100 | 103.159 | Medora Road / E. 85th Avenue – Medora, Buhler | Diamond interchange | |
McPherson | Inman | 70.668 | 113.729 | Cherokee Road (CR 446) – Inman | Diamond interchange |
King City Township | 78.771 | 126.770 | ![]() ![]() | Southern terminus of K-153; partial interchange; northbound exit and southbound entrance | |
80.546 | 129.626 | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Southern terminus of K-153 Spur; partial interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance; former US-81 | ||
80.796 | 130.029 | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Southern end of US-81 Bus. concurrency; partial cloverleaf interchange | ||
83.358 | 134.152 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Northern terminus; northern end of US-81 Bus. concurrency; I-135 exit 58; partial interchange | ||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
|
References
[edit]- ^ a b 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 March 18, 2022 – via Rumsey Collection.
- ^ a b The Clason Map Company (1928). "Kansas" (Map). Clason's Touring Atlas of the United States, with Road Maps of every State and Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Chicago: The Clason Map Company. p. 37.
- ^ a b Staff (2016). "Pavement Management Information System". Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ Kansas Department of Transportation (December 1, 2014). "Resolution Designating City Connecting Links in State Highway System". Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike; Adderly, Kevin (September 26, 2012). "What is the National Highway System?". National Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ Federal Highway Administration (May 8, 2019). National Highway System: Kansas (PDF) (Map). [c. 1:3,900,000]. Federal Highway Administration. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (2021). Traffic Flow Inset Map Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). [c. 1:1,584,000]. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Overview Map of K-61" (Map). Google Maps. Google. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (May 2009). City of Pratt (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. KDOT City Maps. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (November 2003). City of Preston (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. KDOT City Maps. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ 2010 Pratt County Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: KDOT. 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (November 2001). City of Turon (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. KDOT City Maps. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Official State Transportation Map (PDF) (Map) (2021–2022 ed.). Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c 2021 Reno County Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: KDOT. 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (September 2003). City of Langdon (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. KDOT City Maps. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (January 2002). City of Arlington (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. KDOT City Maps. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (December 2003). City of Partridge (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. KDOT City Maps. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (April 2006). City of South Hutchinson (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. KDOT City Maps. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (April 2006). City of Hutchinson (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. KDOT City Maps. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ a b 2021 McPherson County Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: KDOT. 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (August 2009). City of Inman (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. KDOT City Maps. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (August 7, 1941). "Resolution For Relocation And Redesignation Of Road In Pratt County, Reno County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (August 7, 1941). "Resolution For Relocation And Redesignation Of Road In Reno County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "4 May Share Diagonal Jobs". The Hutchinson News. Hutchinson, Kansas. July 28, 1946. p. 13. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (August 28, 1946). "Resolution For Relocation And Redesignation Of Road In Pratt County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Will Receive Road Bids Here". The Wichita Beacon. Wichita, Kansas. April 15, 1948. p. 12. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Kellogg Paving Contract Let". The Wichita Beacon. Wichita, Kansas. May 18, 1948. p. 22. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Road Improvement Bids to Be Opened". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, Kansas. October 29, 1948. p. 2. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Highway and Bridge Contracts Approved". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, Kansas. November 27, 1948. p. 1. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
- ^ "K61 Given Another Boost". The Hutchinson News. Hutchinson, Kansas. February 9, 1949. p. 21. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "State to Seek Bids On Road Repairs". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, Kansas. April 21, 1949. p. 16. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "To Complete A Short Cut". The Hutchinson News. Hutchinson, Kansas. July 28, 1949. p. 11. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "State Will Repair Two Area Roads". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, Kansas. August 27, 1949. p. 5. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Boost For Highway K61". The Hutchinson News. Hutchinson, Kansas. April 8, 1950. p. 3. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "K-61 Needs Clear Skies". The Hutchinson News. Hutchinson, Kansas. September 28, 1950. p. 14. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Short Cut Road To Southwest Is Open". The Hutchinson News. Hutchinson, Kansas. September 29, 1950. p. 1. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b State Highway Commission of Kansas (1956). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ a b State Highway Commission of Kansas (1957–1958). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ a b State Highway Commission of Kansas (February 2, 1957). "Resolution To Extend Highway K-61 Marking From Hutchinson To McPherson And Remove K-17 Marking". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ "Federal Number Sought For Roads". The Salina Journal. Salina, Kansas. February 13, 1957. p. 9. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Commission Approves K-61 Highway Extension". Great Bend Tribune. Great Bend, Kansas. February 28, 1957. p. 12. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Inman-Medora Diagonal Open". The Salina Journal. Salina, Kansas. August 15, 1957. p. 10. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (February 12, 1958). "Resolution For Relocation And Redesignation Of Road In McPherson County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ "$2 Million In Highway Bids". Garden City Telegram. Garden City, Kansas. March 31, 1958. p. 7. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "To Open Bids On Surfacing Of K61 Route". The Salina Journal. Salina, Kansas. June 19, 1958. p. 10. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Derby Project Bid Approved". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, Kansas. July 24, 1958. p. 9. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New K61 Between Hutch, McPherson Saves 8.1 Miles". The Salina Journal. Salina, Kansas. August 7, 1959. p. 9. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1961). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "$875,000 for K-45". Great Bend Tribune. Great Bend, Kansas. May 21, 1961. p. 1. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bids For Cloud County Road Work To Be Taken June 27". The Salina Journal. Salina, Kansas. June 19, 1963. p. 12. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Salina Firm Low Bidder For Marion County Work". The Salina Journal. Salina, Kansas. July 17, 1963. p. 25. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1963–1964). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1965). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1966). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1967). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "2 Counties Get Road Work". The Wichita Beacon. Wichita, Kansas. May 17, 1967. p. 9. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1970). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1971). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1974). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1975–1976). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (1965). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "Salina Firm To Plan I-35W". The Salina Journal. Salina, Kansas. January 1, 1965. p. 21. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (August 24, 1966). "Resolution For Location, Relocation And Redesignation of Roads Using State-Wide Funds As Follows". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ a b State Highway Commission of Kansas (March 29, 1967). "Resolution For Addition Of Road To The State Highway System In McPherson County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
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- ^ "Bids to Be Taken Here For Kansas Road Work". The Wichita Beacon. Wichita, Kansas. November 23, 1967. p. 19. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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- ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (March 29, 1977). "Resolution for the Redesignation of Highway K-135 to K-152". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
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- ^ a b State Highway Commission of Kansas (September 9, 2009). "Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Roads in McPherson County". Vermillion: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ Green, John (October 25, 2010). "K-61 project progressing: Expansion of highway expected to be complete in spring 2012". The Hutchinson News. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010.
- ^ a b Green, John (October 20, 2011). "Opening highway today is expected: Contractor for project in McPherson Co. moves up announcement of Saturday". The Hutchinson News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.
- ^ "Roads unsnarling as work fades". The Hutchinson News. May 11, 2012. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013.
- ^ "K-61 dedication set for Aug. 10". The Hutchinson News. July 23, 2012. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.