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| Interstate 135 (Kansas) | |
|---|---|
| State | KS |
| Route | I-135 |
| Type | Interstate |
| Length mi | 95.738 |
| Established | 1960s |
| Spur of | 35 |
| Direction a | South |
| Terminus a | Wichita |
| Direction b | North |
| Terminus b | Salina |
| Counties | Sedgwick County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Saline County |
Interstate 135 (Kansas) is an Interstate Highway running north–south in central Kansas. It connects the metropolitan area of Wichita with the regional hubs of Newton, McPherson, and Salina over roughly 96 miles. As a spur of Interstate 35, it provides freight and commuter access between Kansas City corridors and western Kansas routes, intersecting multiple federal and state highways.
I-135 begins at an interchange with I-235 and I-35 near south-central Wichita, proceeding north as a controlled-access freeway through the Wichita metro area. The route passes adjacent to landmarks such as McConnell Air Force Base, Century II, and the Wichita Eisenhower Airport via connector routes and state highways. North of downtown, I-135 intersects US‑54, US‑400, and meets K‑96 while providing links to suburbs including Bel Aire and Newton.
Beyond the urban fringe, I-135 traverses the agricultural plains of Sedgwick County into Harvey County and McPherson County, paralleling K‑61 and intersecting US‑50 and US‑56 near local hubs. Approaching Salina, the interstate connects with I‑70 and US‑81, terminating near north Salina while serving as a primary artery for agricultural, industrial, and passenger travel between Wichita and I‑70 east–west corridors.
Plans for a north–south controlled-access corridor linking Wichita to I‑70 emerged during mid‑20th century federal highway expansions influenced by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956. Construction on sections of the current corridor began in stages during the 1960s, with segments opening to traffic as part of broader Interstate System development that included projects affecting I‑35, I‑70, and I‑235. Subsequent upgrades incorporated engineering practices from agencies such as the AASHTO and state policy decisions by the KDOT.
Key milestones included completion of urban interchanges in Wichita to accommodate traffic growth tied to Cessna, Textron, and regional manufacturing, the paving and expansion of rural segments to interstate standards, and interchange reconstructions near Newton and McPherson in response to evolving freight patterns linked to Great Plains agricultural output. Legislative and municipal coordination involving Sedgwick County and Saline County shaped right‑of‑way acquisitions and environmental assessments.
The exit list for I‑135 includes major interchanges with I‑35, I‑235, US‑54, US‑400, K‑96, US‑50, K‑61, and I‑70. Urban exits in Wichita provide access to arterial streets serving Downtown Wichita, the Wichita State University, and industrial zones tied to aircraft manufacturing and logistics centers. Rural exits serve municipalities such as Park City, Newton, McPherson, and Gypsum, with services supporting grain elevators, ethanol plants, and distribution centers. Mileposts and numbering conform to Kansas interstate standards, facilitating navigation for long‑distance freight from Port of Los Angeles trade routes inland via I‑35 connections.
Planned improvements on I‑135 have focused on capacity, interchange modernization, and pavement rehabilitation under programs administered by KDOT and regional planning organizations including the WAMPO. Projects under study include widening segments near Wichita to address congestion from commuter and truck traffic associated with Dole Food Company distribution and aviation supply chains, replacing aging bridges to meet standards advocated by the FHWA, and implementing intelligent transportation systems pioneered in other Midwestern corridors. Coordination with municipal authorities in Newton and Salina targets economic development access while complying with environmental reviews influenced by National Environmental Policy Act procedures.
Traffic volumes on I‑135 vary from heavy urban flows in Wichita to moderate rural counts near McPherson, with commercial vehicle percentages reflecting regional agricultural shipments and intermodal freight moving toward I‑70 and southern terminals. Safety initiatives have included shoulder widening, rumble strip installation, and interchange redesigns informed by crash data analyzed by KDOT and state traffic safety partners such as the KHP. Enforcement and emergency response coordination with local agencies including the Wichita Fire Department and county sheriff offices address incidents affecting hazardous materials transport tied to fertilizer and petroleum supply chains.
I‑135 plays a pivotal role linking the Wichita metro economy—anchored by aerospace firms like Spirit AeroSystems and Learjet legacy facilities—to agricultural production in the Great Plains and interstate freight networks converging on I‑70. The corridor supports commuting patterns for employees of institutions such as Wichita State University and hospitals including Wesley Medical Center, while facilitating access to regional events at venues like Century II. Localities along the route benefit from freight‑dependent industries including grain handling, ethanol production connected to Archer Daniels Midland supply chains, and distribution centers serving national retailers based in Kansas City. Investments in I‑135 enhancements are closely tied to regional economic development strategies promoted by chambers of commerce in Wichita and Salina.
Category:Interstate Highways in Kansas Category:Transportation in Sedgwick County, Kansas Category:Wichita, Kansas