Interstate 135

Interstate 135
Public domain · source
State	Kansas
Route	135
Type	Interstate
Length mi	95.738
Established	1976
Direction a	South
Terminus a	Wichita
Direction b	North
Terminus b	Salina
Counties	Sedgwick County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Saline County

Interstate 135 is an Interstate Highway in central Kansas connecting Wichita and Salina and serving communities such as Newton and McPherson. It forms a vital north–south corridor linking I‑35 and I‑70 and interfaces with arterial routes such as US‑81 and US‑50. The highway supports freight movements tied to BNSF Railway corridors, agricultural distribution centers, and aviation access to Wichita Eisenhower Airport and Salina Regional Airport.

Route description

Interstate 135 begins in south Wichita near the junction with I‑35 and I‑235, providing access to landmarks like Century II, McConnell AFB, and Wichita State University. The route parallels US‑81 and travels north through Sedgwick County into Newton where it intersects US‑50 Business and connects with K‑15. Continuing through Harvey County and McPherson County, the freeway serves industrial sites, grain elevators tied to ADM and Cargill facilities, and interchanges near McPherson College and Bethel College. North of McPherson the highway crosses the Little Arkansas River and approaches Salina where it meets I‑70 and connects to K‑State Polytechnic satellite facilities and Kansas Wesleyan. The corridor intersects rail lines owned by Union Pacific Railroad and services logistical nodes linked to FedEx and UPS hubs in the region.

History

The conception of the corridor traces to mid‑20th‑century planning associated with the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 and state highway planning by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Early alignments followed historic auto trails like the Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway and prior US‑81 alignments that connected Wichita to Salina. Construction phases in the 1960s and 1970s paralleled investments tied to I‑35 expansion and urban renewal projects in Wichita. Major milestones included interchange builds near Newton coordinated with local governments, median reconstructions to meet standards promoted by the AASHTO, and designation under the Interstate System in the 1970s. Subsequent upgrades addressed safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and federal funding initiatives overseen by the USDOT. Economic drivers included freight growth related to Kansas agriculture and distribution expansions by companies like BNSF and Union Pacific Railroad.

Exit list

The exit sequence begins at the southern terminus near I‑35/I‑235 with interchanges providing access to Kellogg Avenue, Downtown Wichita, and the Wichita Transit network. Mid‑route exits serve Newton Municipal Airport, Harvey County communities, and connections to K‑61 near McPherson. Approaches to Salina include ramps to I‑70, US‑81 Business, and industrial access roads serving Salina Regional Airport and nearby logistics parks. Exit numbering uses milepost progression consistent with USDOT practice and signage meeting MUTCD standards. The corridor includes collector–distributor lanes in urbanized sections to manage traffic to destinations such as Wichita State University, Newman University, Salina municipal facilities, and regional hospitals like Wesley Medical Center.

Services and facilities

Travel plazas and rest areas along the corridor provide services managed by Kansas Department of Transportation partnerships and private operators including fueling stations affiliated with Shell, Chevron, and BP. Truck stops near Newton and McPherson support carriers associated with American Trucking Associations fleets and regional freight operators like Schneider National and Knight-Swift Transportation. Emergency services coordinate with Sedgwick County Emergency Management, Harvey County Emergency Management, and Saline County EMS for incident response. Multimodal connections link to regional transit providers such as Wichita Transit and intercity bus services by Greyhound Lines and private carriers. Roadside amenities include signage for historic sites like the Newton Main Street Museum and access to recreational areas such as Chisholm Creek Park and Kanopolis State Park via connecting highways.

Traffic and safety

Traffic volumes vary from urban counts near Wichita influenced by commuter patterns tied to Downtown Wichita employment centers to lower rural flows near Saline County. Freight composition includes agricultural commodities and manufactured goods bound for I‑70 and national markets served by Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles shipping chains. Safety initiatives have incorporated median barriers, improved lighting per Federal Highway Administration guidance, and pavement rehabilitation funded under FAST Act programs. Crash reduction strategies referenced analyses by the NHTSA and local law enforcement coordination with Kansas Highway Patrol for enforcement and incident clearance.

Future plans and developments

Planned investments include pavement rehabilitation, interchange modernization projects coordinated with KDOT and metropolitan planning organizations such as the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Salina Metropolitan Planning Organization. Proposed improvements aim to enhance capacity for truck traffic linked to regional distribution centers and potential truck‑only acceleration lanes informed by studies from AASHTO. Funding sources under consideration include federal discretionary grants administered by the United States Department of Transportation and state highway bonds approved by the Kansas State Legislature. Coordination with economic development agencies like Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce and Salina Area Chamber of Commerce targets freight efficiency, safety, and access to institutions such as Wichita State University and Kansas Wesleyan University.

Category:Interstate Highways in Kansas