K-99 (Kansas highway)

Route map:
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

K-99 marker
K-99
Map
K-99 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by KDOT and the cities of Sedan, Emporia, Alma and Wamego
Length234.473 mi[3] (377.348 km)
Existed1926[1]–present
HistoryRenumbered to K-99 May 17, 1938[2]
Major junctions
South end SH-99 south of Chautauqua
Major intersections
North end N-99 in Summerfield
Location
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountiesChautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Lyon, Wabaunsee, Pottawatomie, Marshall
Highway system
  • Kansas State Highway System
←
K-100

K-99 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Kansas. The highway runs 234.473 miles (377.348 km) from Oklahoma State Highway 99 (SH-99) at the Oklahoma state line near Chautauqua north to Nebraska Highway 99 (N-99) at the Nebraska state line in Summerfield. K-99 connects Emporia with several smaller county seats to the south and north, including Sedan, Howard, Eureka, Alma, and Westmoreland while passing through the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas.

The highway that became K-99, was originally designated in 1926 as K-11, and travelled from Sedan north to Frankfort. By 1927, the northern terminus was extended north to US-36 in Beattie. By 1931, it was extended south to the Oklahoma border. Then by 1932, it had been extended north to the Nebraska border. K-11 was renumbered to K-99 on May 17, 1938, along with Oklahoma and Nebraska doing the same to make a three-state continuous Highway 99.

Route description

K-99 in Beattie

K-99 passes through four

physiographic regions. The highway passes through the western edge of the Chautauqua Hills immediately north of the Oklahoma state line. K-99 continues through the Osage Cuestas. The highway passes through the Flint Hills from north of Emporia to the Kansas River at Wamego. A subset of the route's course through the Flint Hills, from Eskridge to near Wamego, is part of the Native Stone Scenic Byway, which recognizes the region's limestone, which was used in much of the region's masonry.[4] From there, K-99 passes through the Glaciated Region to the Nebraska state line.[5] K-99 has four memorial highway designations. From the Oklahoma state line to Severy, the highway is part of the Prairie Parkway. The route is part of Maisie Devore Highway along its concurrency with K-4 from Eskridge to near Alma. K-99 follows The Road to Oz from Interstate 70 (I-70) near Alma to the south city limit of Frankfort. Finally, the route is named the Frankfort Boys World War II Memorial Highway from the south city limit of Frankfort to U.S. Route 36 (US-36) near Beattie.[6][7] The Frankfort Boys designation, approved by the Kansas Legislature in 2012, honors the World War II casualties of the city of Frankfort; more residents per capita died in the war from Frankfort than from any other community in the United States.[8]

Chautauqua to Emporia

K-99 begins at the Oklahoma state line in

grade crossing of the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad immediately to the south of its junction with US-160 east of Moline. The two highways cross the North Fork of Wildcat Creek together before they diverge; US-166 heads east toward Elk Falls. K-99 crosses the Mound Branch of the Elk River and the river itself south of Howard. The route follows the east city limit of the county seat, home of the historic Elk County Courthouse and the Benson Historical Museum. North of Howard, K-99 crosses Pawpaw Creek and parallels Snake Creek toward Greenwood County.[5][7]

Prairie view along K-99 in Greenwood County

K-99 crosses Salt Creek, which feeds the Fall River, and passes to the west and north of Severy, the latter side during the route's 1-mile-long (1.6 km) concurrency with east–west running US-400. The state highway crosses Plum Creek immediately to the north of US-400 and Otter Creek south of the city of Climax, which the highway bypasses to the west. K-99 crosses the Fall River south of its junction with US-54 east of the county seat of Eureka. The two highways head northeast and cross Bachelor Creek, which feeds the Verdigris River, before K-99 splits north. K-99 crosses Homer Creek and Indian Creek south of Hamilton and Onion Creek and Willow Creek north of that city. The highway crosses Holderman Creek before it briefly enters the city of Madison. In its brief transverse, K-99 veers northwest while K-249 (Southwest Boulevard) heads toward downtown. The highway meets the western end of K-58 (Madison Avenue) west of the city. North of K-58, K-99 crosses the Verdigris River immediately downstream from the confluence of the river's North and South branches and 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the historic Verdigris River Bridge north of Madison. The highway continues into Lyon County, where the highway crosses Eagle Creek, a tributary of the Neosho River, south of Olpe, where the route curves west through town before resuming its northward course toward Emporia.[5][7]

K-99 passes

William Allen White House State Historic Site, a house also known as Red Rocks. At 12th Avenue, which leads west to the Walt Mason House and the Andrew Carnegie Memorial Library, Commercial Street ends at the south end of the Emporia State University campus. K-99 turns west onto 12th Avenue and north onto Merchant Street to pass along the west side of the campus, which includes the Johnston Geology Museum, the Schmidt Museum of Natural History, and the National Teachers Hall of Fame. At the north end of campus, the highway has a diamond interchange with I-35 and leaves the city of Emporia by crossing the Neosho River.[5][7]

Emporia to Summerfield

K-99 crosses Allen Creek and crosses over the I-335 portion of the

stone arch bridges. West of the lake, K-4 and K-99 follow a curvaceous path—compared with following section line roads—before the highways diverge.[5][7]

K-99 continues north through the valley of the South Branch of Mill Creek, within which the highway does not follow section lines. The highway passes to the west of the Peter Thoes Barn and crosses the West Branch of Mill Creek just west of its confluence with the South Branch. K-99 curves northwest into the city of Alma, the county seat of Wabaunsee County. The highway has a grade crossing of the Union Pacific Railroad and curves north onto Missouri Street to pass through the Alma Downtown Historic District, which includes the Wabaunsee County Courthouse, the Wabaunsee County Historical Museum, and the Stuewe House. South of the Brandt Hotel, K-99 turns east onto 7th Street and curves north to leave town as it approaches the railroad. North of Alma, the highway crosses Hendricks Creek and has a diamond interchange with I-70 and US-40. K-99 meets the eastern end of K-18 east of the unincorporated village of Wabaunsee and crosses the Kansas River on the K-99 Wamego Bridge into the city of Wamego in Pottawatomie County.[5][7]

K-99 passes through Wamego on Lincoln Avenue, which has a

double-track grade crossing of the Union Pacific Railroad and passes by the Oz Museum, a museum dedicated to the Wizard of Oz, and The Columbian Theatre.[9] The highway passes to the west of the Wamego Historical Museum, which includes the Old Dutch Mill, and to the east of the historic Cassius & Adelia Baker House and George and Virginia Trout House. At the north end of the city, K-99 intersects US-24. The state highway crosses Rock Creek while passing through the city of Louisville, which lies west of the Vermillion Creek Crossing of the Oregon Trail. K-99 crosses Boxelder Creek and Rock Creek and passes the John McKimmons Barn on its way to the county seat of Westmoreland, where the route's path crosses that of the Oregon Trail and near the Rock Creek Valley Historical Society Museum. The highway has a brief concurrency with K-16 while passing to the west of the village of Blaine before it enters Marshall County.[5][7]

K-99 southbound by Summerfield

K-99 crosses the Clear Fork of the Black Vermillion River and Cedar Creek on the way to Frankfort, at the south end of which the highway crosses the Black Vermillion River proper. The highway follows Kansas Avenue through a grade crossing of a Union Pacific rail line to 2nd Street, onto which K-99 turns east to join K-9. The two highways turn north one block east at Locust Street, which leads south to the Old Frankfort City Jail. K-99 and K-9 pass the Frankfort School on their way out of town, and the two highways diverge 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the city limit. K-99 crosses Snipe Creek before intersecting US-36 (Pony Express Highway) south of Beattie. The highway crosses Wolf Creek and intersects a Union Pacific rail line as the route enters the city from the south on Center Avenue and leaves to the east on Elm Street. K-99 makes three right-angle turns 0.5 miles (0.80 km) apart, the last its final turn north in Kansas, and intersects the Union Pacific rail line a third time where the highway crosses the path of the Pony Express. The highway passes to the west of the St. Bridget Church before entering the city of Summerfield, through which the highway passes on 4th Street and passes by the Transue Brothers Blacksmith & Wagon Shop. K-99 ends at the north city limit, which is also the Nebraska state line, and the road continues as Nebraska Highway 99.[5][7]

History

K-99 was first designated as K-11 in 1926, to a highway that ran from K-44 in Sedan north through Emporia and Eskridge to K-6 in Frankfort.[1] By 1927, K-44 became US-166 and K-6 became K-9, also the northern terminus was extended north to US-36 in Beattie.[10] By 1931, K-11 was extended south to the Oklahoma border.[11] Then by 1932, it had been extended north to the Nebraska border.[12] In a November 6, 1936 resolution, K-11 was realigned from north of Louisville to south of Westmoreland, to eliminate five sharp curves.[13] K-11 was renumbered to K-99 on May 17, 1938, along with Oklahoma and Nebraska doing the same to make a three state continuous Highway 99.[2][14]

In a June 14, 1940 resolution, K-99 was realigned between Frankfort and US-36, which eliminated four sharp curves.[15] In an August 10, 1950 resolution, K-99 was realigned from Alma southward 1.1 miles (1.8 km).[16] In a November 24, 1954 resolution, a 11.315-mile-long (18.210 km) section of K-99 was realigned south of Alma.[17] In a June 28, 1958 resolution, the junction with US-24 and US-40 was moved 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest in Wamego.[18] In a June 8, 1960 resolution, the overlap with US-59 was realigned east of Eureka, to eliminate two sharp curves.[19] In a February 11, 1964 resolution, K-99 was realigned out of Madison, to the west of the city.[20] In a January 18, 1978 resolution, K-99 and US-160 was realigned slightly where they overlap, northeast of Moline.[21] In an October 10, 1984 resolution, K-99 was realigned slightly, just north of I-35, to eliminate two sharp curves.[22] Before 1985, K-99 turned east to Severy, then turned north and crossed K-96. Then in an April 22, 1985 resolution, K-99 was realigned to go direct north to K-96, then overlap it east for 1 then turn north again.[23] The overlap with US-166 Bus. in Sedan was originally US-166. In a December 22, 1993 resolution, KDOT approved and requested to realign US-166 south of Sedan, and to re-designate the former alignment as US-166 Business.[24] This request was approved by AASHTO in an April 10, 1994 meeting.[25] Until 2004, K-57 overlapped K-99 from just north of K-249 to Emporia. Then in a September 20, 2004 resolution, K-57 was truncated to Dwight, and K-57 from K-99 east was renumbered to K-58.[26]

On May 21, 2019, the highway was closed from Emporia to Olpe, due to flooding from Cottonwood River. Also a segment from I-35 to K-170 was closed due to flooding from Dow Creek, which opened back up early the next day. The other section was fully open to traffic on May 28, 2019.[27][28]

In December 2020, a project began to reconstruct and realign a section of K-99, between two miles (3.2 km) north of I-70 and just south of K-18. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2022. Ebert Construction Company of Wamego is the contractor on the $12.6 million project.[29] The improved section will better serve the truck traffic from the Caterpillar facility.

Major intersections

CountyLocationmi[3]kmDestinationsNotes
Chautauqua​0.0000.000
 SH-99 south – Pawhuska		Southern terminus; Oklahoma state line
​5.8589.428
US-166 – Arkansas City, Coffeyville
Eastern terminus of US-166 Bus.; south end of concurrency with US-166 Bus.
US 166 Bus. west – Cedarvale, Arkansas City
North end of concurrency with US-166 Bus.
Elk​28.13945.285
 US-160 west – Moline		South end of concurrency with US-160
​28.70346.193
 US-160 east – Elk Falls, Independence		North end of concurrency with US-160
US-400 west – Wichita
South end of concurrency with US-400
US-400 east – Fredonia
North end of concurrency with US-400
​61.11298.350
 US-54 west – Eureka		South end of concurrency with US-54
​64.609103.978
 US-54 east – Yates Center		North end of concurrency with US-54
Madison84.806136.482
 K-249 north (Southwest Boulevard) – Madison		Southern terminus of K-249
​85.906138.252
 K-58 east – Madison		Western terminus of K-58
LyonEmporia105.356169.554 US-50 (6th Avenue) – Ottawa, Strong City
106.702171.720 I-35 – Kansas City, WichitaI-35 exit 130; diamond interchange
​117.338188.837
 K-170 east – Reading, Osage City		Western terminus of K-170
US-56 – Burlingame, Allen
Wabaunsee​135.586218.205
 K-31 east – Harveyville		Western terminus of K-31
Eskridge141.276227.362
 K-4 east (Main Street) – Topeka		South end of concurrency with K-4
​151.428243.700
 K-4 west – Alta Vista		North end of concurrency with K-4
​164.196264.248 I-70 / US-40 – Topeka, SalinaI-70 exit 328; diamond interchange
​170.391274.218
 K-18 west – Wabaunsee, Zeandale, Manhattan		Eastern terminus of K-18
Kansas River173.428–
173.617		279.105–
279.409		K-99 Wamego Bridge
PottawatomieWamego174.424280.708 US-24 – Manhattan, St. Marys
Blaine195.622314.823
 K-16 west – Olsburg, Manhattan		South end of concurrency with K-16
196.023315.468
 K-16 east – Wheaton, Onaga		North end of concurrency with K-16
MarshallFrankfort210.232338.336
 K-9 west (2nd Street) – Blue Rapids		South end of concurrency with K-9
​211.883340.993
 K-9 east – Vermillion, Centralia		North end of concurrency with K-9
​219.946353.969 US-36 (Pony Express Highway) – Marysville, Seneca
Summerfield234.473377.348
 N-99 north – Pawnee City		Northern terminus; Nebraska state line
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. ^ a b Rand McNally and Company (1926). "Kansas" (Map). Rand McNally Auto Road Atlas of the United States, including a Brief Description of the National Parks and Monuments. Chicago: Rand McNally and Company. pp. 56–57.
  2. ^ a b Oklahoma Department of Transportation. "Memorial Dedication and Revision History, SH 99". Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Staff (2016). "Pavement Management Information System". Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  4. ^ Tourism Division. "Native Stone Scenic Byway". Kansas Byways. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. Archived from the original on April 16, 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Bureau of Transportation Planning. Kansas Official State Transportation Map (PDF) (Map) (2017–2018 ed.). Topeka, KS: Kansas Department of Transportation. §§ A10, B10, C10, D10, E10, F10, G10. Retrieved April 15, 2017. Emporia
  6. ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (August 12, 2015). Kansas Memorial Highways, Bridges, and Interchanges (PDF) (Map). Topeka, KS: Kansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Bureau of Transportation Planning (April 2017). General County Highway Maps (half inch) (PDF) (Map). 1:125,000. Topeka, KS: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  8. ^ Brunner, Melissa (June 15, 2012). "Frankfort Boys Highway To Be Dedicated". WIBW-TV. Archived from the original on April 17, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  9. ^ "Visit – Oz Museum". Oz Museum. Archived from the original on April 17, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  10. OCLC 2078375
    – via Rumsey Collection.
  11. Rand McNally and Company (1931). "Kansas"
    (Map). Clason's Road Map of Kansas. 1:2,000,000. Denver: Clason Map Company. p. 87 – via Rumsey Collection.
  12. OCLC 1007837202
    . Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  13. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (November 6, 1936). "Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Road in Pottawatomie County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  14. ^ Official State Transportation Map (PDF) (Map) (July 1938 ed.). Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  15. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (June 14, 1940). "Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Road in Marshall County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  16. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (August 10, 1950). "Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Road in Wabaunsee County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  17. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (November 24, 1954). "Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Road in Wabaunsee County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  18. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (June 28, 1958). "Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Road in Pottawatomie County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  19. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (January 18, 1978). "Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Road in Greenwood County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  20. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (February 11, 1964). "Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Road in Greenwood County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  21. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (January 18, 1978). "Resolution for Relocation and Redesignation of Highway in Elk County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  22. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (October 10, 1984). "Resolution to Relocate a segment of Highway in Lyon County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  23. ^ State Highway Commission of Kansas (April 22, 1985). "Resolution to relocate a segment of Highway in Greenwood County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  24. ^ Kansas Department of Transportation (December 22, 1993). "Resolution to establish and redesignate segments of highways in Chautauqua County". Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  25. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (November 12, 1994). "Report of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering to the Standing Committee on Highways" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  26. ^ Kansas Department of Transportation (September 20, 2004). "Rural Resolution to withdraw and redesignate segments of K-57". Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  27. ^ Viviani, Nick (May 20, 2019). "KDOT: Stretch of K-99 likely closed for days". wibw.com. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  28. ^ "Highway 99 now open to regular traffic". emporiagazette.com. May 28, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  29. ^ Motter, Sarah (December 11, 2020). "Reconstruction, realignment project on K-99 in Wabaunsee Co. to begin Monday". wibw.com. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
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