K-27 (Kansas highway)

K-27 is a 226.241-mile-long (364.100 km) north–south state highway that parallels Kansas' western border with Colorado. It is the westernmost north–south state highway in the state. It begins at U.S. Route 56 (US-56) in Elkhart near the Oklahoma state line and travels through the seven counties that border Colorado until reaching its northern terminus north of St. Francis, where it ends at the Nebraska state line (effectively becoming like-numbered Nebraska Highway 27). Along the way, it intersects several major highways, including US-160 in Johnson City, US-50 and US-400 in Syracuse, US-40 in Sharon Springs, Interstate 70 (I-70) and US-24 in Goodland, and US-36 in Wheeler. The section from US-40 north to Nebraska, is designated as the Land and Sky Scenic Byway. K-27 changes time zones not once, but twice, during its trek through Kansas, the only highway in the state to do so.

K-27
K-27 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by KDOT
Length226.241 mi[1] (364.100 km)
HistoryDesignated K-25 in 1926;[2] renumbered to K-27 in 1927[3]
Major junctions
South end US-56 near Elkhart
 
North end N-27 at Nebraska state line, south of Haigler
Location
CountiesMorton, Stanton, Hamilton, Greeley, Wallace, Sherman, Cheyenne
Highway system
  • Kansas State Highway System
← K-26→ K-28

Before state highways were numbered in Kansas there were auto trails. The section of K-27 from Elkhart to the beginning of the overlap with K-51 was a part of the former Dallas-Canadian-Denver Highway. In Syracuse, the highway crosses the former National Old Trails Road, Old Santa Fe Trail and New Santa Fe Trail and Albert Pike Highway. In Tribune, K-27 crosses the former Kansas-Colorado Boulevard. In Sharon Springs the highway crosses the former Union Pacific Highway. Then further north in Goodland K-27 crosses the former Golden Belt, former Kansas White Way, former Blue Line, and former Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway. The route that K-27 follows was first designated as a state highway in 1926, as K-25. At that time it ran from the Elkhart, north to the Nebraska border. By 1927, it was renumbered to K-27. In 1955, K-27 was extended from Elkhart, south to the Oklahoma border. Then in 2004, it was realigned to intersect US-56 northeast of Elkhart.

Route description

K-27 changes time zones not once, but twice, during its trek through Kansas, the only highway in the state to do so. From the southern terminus, Central Standard Time is observed in Morton and Stanton Counties, but the time zone changes to Mountain Standard Time when the highway crosses from Stanton into Hamilton County. Hamilton and the next three counties to the north (Greeley, Wallace, and Sherman) observe Mountain time, but clocks revert to Central Time at the Sherman County-Cheyenne County line.[4]

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) tracks the traffic levels on its highways, and in 2018, they determined that on average the traffic varied from 410 vehicles per day just north of the southern overlap with K-51 to 4410 vehicles per day in the city of Goodland.[5][6] The only section of K-27 included in the National Highway System is its overlap with US-50 and US-400.[7] The National Highway System is a system of highways important to the nation's defense, economy, and mobility.[8] K-27 also connects to the National Highway System at its junction with I-70 and US-24.[7]

Morton and Stanton counties

K-27 begins at US-56 northeast of Elkhart, crosses the Cimarron Valley Railroad, and then curves to the west. After about .5 miles (0.80 km) the road curves to the north then crosses Happy Ditch about 1.2 miles (1.9 km) later. The highway continues north through flat rural farmlands for roughly 4.9 miles (7.9 km) then crosses the Cimarron River. From here the roadway continues another 1.4 miles (2.3 km), where it begins an overlap with K-51, the only overlap with another state highway. The two routes continue north through flat farmlands for approximately 3.45 miles (5.55 km) then cross an unnamed creek. K-27 and K-51 advance north for about two miles (3.2 km) then crosses North Fork Cimarron River. About 2.4 miles (3.9 km) past the river the highway curves east at Road 9. The roadway continues through farmlands for roughly 5.7 miles (9.2 km) then begins to border the city of Richfield as South Boulevard.[9]

About .5 miles (0.80 km) later K-27 turns north onto Main Street, as K-51 continues east. K-27 then exits the city and passes through flat farmlands for about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) and crosses an unnamed creek. The highway continues on for about five miles (8.0 km) then curves northeast and enters into Stanton County.[9] K-27 enters the county and curves north then continues about 7.45 miles (11.99 km) and crosses Sand Arroyo Creek. From here the highway passes through flat rural farmlands for roughly 4.25 miles (6.84 km), crosses a Cimmaron Valley Railroad, then is joined by US-160. K-27 and US-160 continue north parallel to the western Johnson City line for about one mile (1.6 km), then US-160 turns east. K-27 continues north from here for approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) then crosses Bear Creek. The highway passes through more flat farmlands for 7.5 miles (12.1 km) then enters into Hamilton County.[10]

Hamilton and Greeley counties
K-27 at south end of overlap with US-50 and US-400 in Syracuse

Just inside the county, K-27 crosses Little Bear Creek, and continues north. The highway passes through flat farmland and grassland for about 15.8 miles (25.4 km) then crosses the Arkansas River. K-27 then enters the city of Syracuse as Main Street. A few blocks later the road crosses a BNSF Railway and then intersects US-50 and US-400, known as A Avenue. At this point K-27 turns west and begins to overlap US-50 and US-400. At the western city line, K-27 turns north onto McDow Street as US-50 and US-400 continue west. K-27 continues north through flat rural farmlands for about 3.15 miles (5.07 km) then crosses Syracuse Creek. The highway advances north another 5.85 miles (9.41 km) and crosses Sand Creek. The road continues north through flat land for approximately 9.1 miles (14.6 km) and then crosses Mattox Draw. The highway then curves northeast and enters into Greeley County.[11] As the roadway enters the county, it curves back north and travels about 14 miles (23 km) and intersects K-96 at the southern city limits of Tribune. The highway crosses the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad as it continues north through the city. As K-27 leaves Tribune it crosses White Woman Creek and continues north. The highway passes through flat rural farmland for approximately 13.45 miles (21.65 km) then curves northeast and crosses South Ladder Creek. The road then curves north and enters into Wallace County.[12]

Wallace County

As the road enters the county, it soon crosses Middle Ladder Creek. About four miles (6.4 km) north from here, the road crosses Ladder Creek. The highway continues through flat rural farmland for around 3.4 miles (5.5 km) then crosses Rose Creek. K-27 then crosses North Fork Rose Creek and curves northwest. The highway curves back north and continues though flat lands for around 2.75 miles (4.43 km) then enters Sharon Springs as Main Street. Within the city, the road crosses Eagletail Creek and a Union Pacific Railway before intersecting US-40. K-27 turns east and follows US-40 for a brief distance, then turns back north. Here the Land and Sky Scenic Byway begins and follows K-27. The highway exits the city and after about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) crosses the Smoky Hill River. From here, the roadway continues for a short distance, then shifts .5 miles (0.80 km) to the east through an s-curve. K-27 proceeds north through farmland for around 3.25 miles (5.23 km) then crosses Pond Creek. The highway continues for 3.9 miles (6.3 km) then crosses South Fork Lake Creek. Roughly 2.1 miles (3.4 km) north from here, K-27 curves northeast and crosses North Fork Lake Creek. The road curves north and passes through flat farmland for approximately 1.3 miles (2.1 km) then crosses into Sherman County.[13]

Sherman and Cheyenne counties

K-27 continues for 2.7 miles (4.3 km) then curves slightly northeast and crosses the North Fork Smoky Hill River. The highway curves northwest for a slight distance then curves and resumes its northern course. The roadway crosses Wild Horse Draw then advances northward for roughly 6.8 miles (10.9 km) and enters Goodland as Commerce Road. The highway soon reaches I-70 and US-24 at a diamond interchange. K-27 begins to overlap US-24 Business as it continues north. After .5 miles (0.80 km), US-24 Business leaves to the east, as K-27 continues north out of the city limits. The highway crosses a Kyle Railroad track and continues along the west side of Goodland. The highway then curves northeast and begins to follow Middle Fork Sappa Creek. After about .9 miles (1.4 km) K-27 crosses Middle Fork Horse Draw then curves north. The highway passes through flat rural farmland for 3.1 miles (5.0 km) and crosses South Beaver Creek. The road continues for 1.3 miles (2.1 km) then crosses Middle Beaver Creek. K-27 advances north through flat farmlands for roughly 7.9 miles (12.7 km) then curves northwest and enters into Cheyenne County.[14]

As the highway enters the county, it curves northward again, and after .9 miles (1.4 km) crosses Little Beaver Creek. The road continues through rural farmland for around 11.7 miles (18.8 km) then intersects US-36 and the southern terminus of former K-217. At this point K-27 turns west and begins to overlap US-36. The two routes cross Sand Creek 2.1 miles (3.4 km) later then curve northwest. K-27 and US-36 then enter Saint Francis as they curve west. The highway exits the city and soon crosses the South Fork Republican River. K-27 then turns north as US-36 continues west toward Colorado. K-27 advances north through rolling hills for about .6 miles (0.97 km) then curves northwest and crosses Cherry Creek .8 miles (1.3 km) later. The highway then curves north and passes through a combination of rolling hills and flat farmland for 2.7 miles (4.3 km) then crosses Fish Creek. K-27 then curves west and continues for roughly five miles (8.0 km) then curves back north. The highway passes through a mixture of flat farmlands transitioning to small rolling hills for about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) and crosses Hackberry Creek. The road advances north through farmlands for around 3.4 miles (5.5 km) then the landscape transitions to rolling hills. K-27 advances north for 2.8 miles (4.5 km) and then enters into Nebraska, where it continues as Nebraska Highway 27.[15]

History

Early roads

Before state highways were numbered in Kansas there were auto trails, which were an informal network of marked routes that existed in the United States and Canada in the early part of the 20th century. The section of K-27 from Elkhart to the beginning of the overlap with K-51 was a part of the former Dallas-Canadian-Denver Highway, which went from Boulder, Colorado to Galveston, Texas. In Syracuse, the highway crosses the former National Old Trails Road, Old Santa Fe Trail and New Santa Fe Trail as well as the Albert Pike Highway, which ran from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Hot Springs, Arkansas. In Tribune, K-27 crosses the former Kansas-Colorado Boulevard. In Sharon Springs the highway crosses the former Union Pacific Highway. Then further north in Goodland K-27 crosses the former Golden Belt, which began in Denver and went east to Kansas City; the former Kansas White Way, which went from Colorado Springs, Colorado to St. Joseph, Missouri; former Blue Line, which went from Limon, Colorado to Junction City, Kansas; former Roosevelt National Highway; and former Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway, which was formed in 1912, and went from New York City to Los Angeles.[16][17]

Establishment
K-25 sign

The route that K-27 follows was first designated as a state highway in 1926, as K-25. At that time it ran from the Oklahoma state line, north then east to Richfield. It then turned north and intersected K-46 then US-50 shortly after in Syracuse. It then continued north to K-96 in Tribune, then reached US-340 in Sharon Springs. It continued north, intersecting US-40 in Goodland, before reaching K-2 by Wheeler. K-2 and K-25 then overlapped from Wheeler to St Francis. In St Francis the two routes split, and K-25 headed north and soon crossed into Nebraska.[2] The county engineer of Morton County ordered signs in January 1926.[18] By 1927, the highway was renumbered as K-27. Also, US-340 was renumbered to US-40S and US-40 was renumbered to US-40N.[3]

Realignments

In a July 23, 1935 resolution, the alignment of K-27 was straightened to eliminate sharp curves, within Sharon Springs.[19] In a June 6, 1936 resolution, K-27 was realigned slightly in Stanton in Stanton County.[20] In a January 26, 1937 resolution, it was realigned where it crosses the Smoky Hill River, in order to eliminate a bad drainage condition caused by several small branches converging with the main river.[21] Between February 1937 and January 1938, US-270 was extended into Kansas, and overlapped K-27 from Johnson north to US-50 in Syracuse, where it terminated.[22][23] This overlap lasted until 1981, and in a May 18, 1981 resolution, the US-270 designation was removed.[24] In a March 20, 1937 resolution, the intersection with K-96 in tribune was reconstructed.[25] In a March 18, 1940 resolution, K-27 was realigned slightly within Richfield and Stanton in Morton County, to eliminate sharp curves.[26] Before 1950, K-27 zigzagged from St. Francis northwestward. Then in an August 10, 1950 resolution, the overlap with US-36 was extended 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west from St Francis then turned north for about six miles (9.7 km) then turned west, which eliminated 13 sharp curves.[27] In a September 27, 1950 resolution, K-27 was realigned in Goodland.[28] Then in an October 14, 1953 resolution, the latter K-27 realignment was moved further northward to run along 8th Street in Goodland. This new alignment was completed by 1954.[29][30] Then by 1970, it was realigned in Goodland again to its modern-day alignment.[31]

K-27 concurrent with US-50 and US-400 in Syracuse

In a June 2, 1954 resolution, the alignment of K-27 was straightened slightly south of the Nebraska border to eliminate several sharp curves.[32] In an April 27, 1955 resolution, K-27 was extended from Elkart, 0.33 miles (0.53 km) south to the Oklahoma border, where it continued as Oklahoma Highway 95.[33] In a November 14, 1956 resolution, a 0.106-mile-long (0.171 km) connector road was built from K-27 east to US-56, and designated as K-127.[34] In a June 7, 1966 resolution, the interchange with I-70 was designated, K-27 Spur was designated, and US-24 was realigned to overlap the new I-70.[35] Then in an April 1, 1981 resolution, K-27 Spur was renumbered to US-24 Business in Goodland.[36] In a May 3, 1996 resolution, US-400 was extended west, and was added to the overlap with US-50 in Syracuse.[37] Before 2004, K-27 travelled through the west side of Elkhart to the Oklahoma border. Then in a May 21, 2004 resolution, it was approved to realign K-27 north of Elkhart. The new 1.902-mile-long (3.061 km) realignment intersected US-56 northeast of Elkhart.[38] In a December 22, 2015 resolution, the highway was realigned south of Sharon Springs, where it crossed Rose Creek and North Fork Rose Creek.[39]

Major intersections
CountyLocationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
MortonElkhart0.0000.000 US-56 – Hugoton, Boise City, OKSouthern terminus
Westola Township9.41315.149 K-51 westSouthern end of K-51 conccurrency
Richfield23.70838.154 K-51 east – HugotonNorthern end of K-51 overlap
StantonJohnson City45.20772.754 US-160 west – ManterSouthern end of US-160 overlap
46.21474.374 US-160 east – UlyssesNorthern end of US-160 overlap
HamiltonSyracuse74.087119.231 US-50 / US-400 east – LakinSouthern end of US-50/US-400 overlap
74.617120.084 US-50 / US-400 west – Lamar, CONorthern end of US-50/US-400 overlap
GreeleyTribune108.181174.100 K-96 – Leoti, Eads, CO
WallaceSharon Springs138.426222.775 US-40 west – Cheyenne Wells, COSouthern end of US-40 overlap
138.526222.936 US-40 east – OakleyNorthern end of US-40 overlap
ShermanGoodland168.300270.853
US-24 Bus. begins / I-70 / US-24 – Limon, CO, Hays		Southern end of US-24 Bus. concurrency; I-70 exit 17
168.883271.791
US-24 Bus. east		Northern end of US-24 Bus. concurrency
CheyenneWheeler198.454319.381 US-36 east – AtwoodSouthern end of US-36 overlap
Wano Township205.135330.133 US-36 west – DenverNorthern end of US-36 overlap
Haigler226.241364.100 N-27 north – HaiglerContinuation into Nebraska
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

K-27 Spur
LocationNear Goodland
Length2.902 mi[36] (4.670 km)
ExistedJune 7, 1966[35]–April 1, 1981[36]

K-27 Spur was a 2.902-mile-long (4.670 km) connection between K-27 and I-70 / US 24 in Goodland. In a June 7, 1966 resolution, when US-24 was moved onto I-70, and K-27 Spur was designated along the old alignment of US-24.[35] K-27 Spur was decommissioned in an April 1, 1981 resolution, and became a part of US-24 Business.[36]

Major junctions

The entire route was in Goodland, Sherman County.

mi[36]kmDestinationsNotes
0.0000.000 K-27Western terminus
2.9024.670 I-70 / US-24Eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References
  1. Staff (2016). "Pavement Management Information System". Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  2. 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.
  3. Rand McNally and Company (1927). "Kansas" (Map). Rand McNally Auto Road Atlas of the United States and Ontario, Quebece, 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 – via Rumsey Collection.
  4. Kansas Department of Transportation (2019–2020). 2019-2020 Kansas State Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  5. Bureau of Transportation Planning (2018). Traffic Flow Map Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). [c. 1:1,584,000]. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  6. Bureau of Transportation Planning (2018). Traffic Flow Inset Map Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). [c. 1:1,584,000]. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  7. Federal Highway Administration (May 8, 2019). National Highway System: Kansas (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  8. Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike; Adderly, Kevin (September 26, 2012). "What is the National Highway System?". National Highway System. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  9. Bureau of Transportation Planning (June 2009). Morton County (PDF) (Map). [c. 1: 211,200]. General Highway Map. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  10. Bureau of Transportation Planning (December 2010). Stanton County (PDF) (Map). [c. 1: 211,200]. General Highway Map. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  11. Bureau of Transportation Planning (January 2011). Hamilton County (PDF) (Map). [c. 1: 211,200]. General Highway Map. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  12. Bureau of Transportation Planning (December 2010). Greeley County (PDF) (Map). [c. 1: 211,200]. General Highway Map. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  13. Bureau of Transportation Planning (July 2010). Wallace County (PDF) (Map). [c. 1: 211,200]. General Highway Map. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  14. Bureau of Transportation Planning (November 2011). Sherman County (PDF) (Map). [c. 1: 211,200]. General Highway Map. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  15. Bureau of Transportation Planning (August 2008). Cheyenne County (PDF) (Map). [c. 1: 211,200]. General Highway Map. Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  16. Weingroff, Richard F. (June 27, 2017). "The Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway: The Appian Way of America". Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  17. Rand McNally and Company (1924). "Kansas" (Map). AutoTrails Map, Southern Nebraska, Eastern Colorado, Kansas, Northeastern New Mexico, Northern Oklahoma. 1:1,600,000. Chicago: Rand McNally and Company. OCLC 2078375. Retrieved November 19, 2020 – via David Rumsey Map Collection.
  18. "Name Elkhart as New Road Center". Morton County Progress and Rolla Progress. January 21, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved November 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. State Highway Commission of Kansas (July 23, 1935). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Wallace County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  20. State Highway Commission of Kansas (March 18, 1940). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Stanton County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  21. State Highway Commission of Kansas (January 26, 1937). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Sherman County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  22. State Highway Commission of Kansas (1937). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  23. State Highway Commission of Kansas (1938). Kansas State Highway System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  24. State Highway Commission of Kansas (January 4, 1939). "Resolution to withdraw a US Numbered Route from the State Highway System in several counties in Kansas". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  25. State Highway Commission of Kansas (March 20, 1937). "Resolution for addition of curves to the State Highway System". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  26. State Highway Commission of Kansas (March 18, 1940). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Morton County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  27. State Highway Commission of Kansas (August 10, 1950). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Sherman County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  28. State Highway Commission of Kansas (September 27, 1950). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Sherman County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  29. Kansas State Highway Department (1954). Sherman County (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Highway & Transportation Map. Topeka: Kansas State Highway Department. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  30. State Highway Commission of Kansas (October 14, 1953). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Sherman County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  31. Kansas State Highway Department (1970). Sherman County (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Highway & Transportation Map. Topeka: Kansas State Highway Department. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  32. State Highway Commission of Kansas (June 2, 1954). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Cheyenne County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  33. State Highway Commission of Kansas (April 27, 1955). "Resolution for addition to State Highway System". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  34. State Highway Commission of Kansas (November 14, 1956). "Resolution for relocation and redesignation of road in Morton County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  35. State Highway Commission of Kansas (April 1, 1981). "Resolution for location, relocation and redesignation of road to be financed with Statewide Funds in Sherman and Thomas counties". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  36. State Highway Commission of Kansas (April 1, 1981). "Resolution to redesignate a road in Sherman County". Topeka: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  37. Kansas Department of Transportation (May 3, 1996). "Resolution to establish Highway U.S. 400 in Hamilton, Kearny, and Finney counties". Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  38. Kansas Department of Transportation (May 21, 2004). "Rural Resolution to relocate a segment of Highway K-27 in Morton County". Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  39. Kansas Department of Transportation (December 22, 2015). "Rural Resolution to realign a portion of K-27 on the State Highway System in Wallace County". Topeka: Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 24, 2020.

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