KanDrive redesigned just in time for winter weather

With much of the state under a winter storm watch this week, be sure to check out the KanDrive website or call 511 to find out about road conditions.

Viewers may notice that KanDrive has a new look.  The website was redesigned this month to make it more user-friendly and to be more compatible with smartphones.  Users are encourage to check the site before they leave and to not check their phones while driving.

Tell us what you think of the newly designed site in the comment box below.


And we want to wish all of you a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Know before you fly

Drones are expected to be one of the top-selling holiday gifts this season.  In anticipation of that, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Monday its recommendations to require all drones to be registered online.  The process is expected to be free.  Those found without registered drones will be subject to a fine up to $25,000.  It's important to note that these are just recommendations at this point.  No deadline has been announced for when to have your drone registered and the registration process has yet to begin.  To read the full FAA report, click here.

The short-video below also gives some safety tips for drone owners.

Rare footage shows how transportation evolved in New York City

Starting in 1905, check out how transportation changed through out New York City and the country through this rarely seen footage.

Thanksgiving Travel Tips

1. Check your vehicle's condition: tire tread and pressure, fluid levels and mechanical equipment.

 2. Have an emergency kit, including bottled water, blankets, non-perishable food, chargers and a flashlight with batteries.

 

3. Allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination.

4. Check road conditions before you travel by calling 511 or visiting kandrive.org, particularly in the instance of inclement weather.

5. Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Have a designated driver for the ride home.

6. Buckle up. Every trip. Every time.

I-70 Closed At Goodland

The photo above is near Goodland from our KanDrive cameras. As you can see it's white-out conditions, which is why I-70 from Goodland west to the Colorado border has been closed as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

For the latest on road conditions, please visit KanDrive.org or call 511.

Winter Weather: Know before you go

With parts of northwest Kansas under a blizzard watch for tonight and tomorrow, we want to encourage everyone to visit our newly designed KanDrive site or call 511 to get the latest on road conditions.  As of Monday morning, conditions are clear but weather can change rapidly so be sure to keep check before you leave the house.

Travelers near Colby will want to be on the look out for our new tow plow.

Throwback Thursday

Here's a look back at U.S. 59 near Lawrence in 1953.

ICYMI: K-State becomes first Bicycle Friendly University in Kansas

Kansas State University has been designated as the first Bicycle Friendly University in Kansas by the League of American Bicyclists.

The University has received the bicycle organization's Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly University award. In all, the league awarded or renewed bicycle-friendly status to 49 universities in 31 states this year, bringing the total of designated bicycle friendly universities and colleges to 127 in the nation (a list of all Bicycle Friendly Universities may be found here).

The Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bike-able campus for students, staff, and visitors. The program provides the road map and technical assistance to create great campuses for cycling.

"Being designated as a bike-friendly campus is something to be proud of," said Derek Jackson, Director of Kansas State University's Housing and Dining Services. "Students and staff are biking more and more for both transportation needs as well as for recreational wellness.

Congratulations to K-State!

Beware of new snowplows that take up 2 lanes

This year KDOT is adding two new snow fighting machines to its arsenal: the tow plow. These tow plows, which are 26-feet-long and attached to a dump truck, will be housed in Colby and Olathe. 


When the tow plow is in use it will swing out the right side taking up a full lane, allowing a single operator to plow two lanes of highway in one pass. Drivers need to be patient when following a tow plow; they are doing twice as much work as a single plow truck. They also should be aware when passing a snow plow because other trucks have wing plows that extend.   

Check out the video below to see that tow plow in use.

Throwback Thursday

We're going back to November 2013 for the Amelia Earhart Bridge Light Show.  Check it out below.

Royals Celebration Schedule and Map

If you're wanting to attend the parade or rally celebration in honor of the Kansas City Royals winning the World Series today, here is the schedule and map of the festivities.

Why are they working on that road?

Why are they working on that road?

It’s a question KDOT officials often hear that can be answered in one word: preservation.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, pavement preservation represents a proactive approach to maintaining our existing highways. It enables a transportation agency to reduce costly, time consuming rehabilitation and reconstruction projects and associated traffic disruptions. Timely preservation provides the traveling public with improved safety and mobility, reduced congestion and smoother, longer lasting pavements.

Preservation isn’t a new concept. Consider how we incorporate preservation in our daily lives. We change the oil in our car to maintain engine life. We change furnace and air conditioner filters to keep our units running smoothly. The same goes for our roads. Applying the right treatment on the right road at the right time will extend the service life of the pavement or, in short, help keep good roads good.

Examples of preservation treatments include chip seals, milling and overlays, surface recycling and patching.  The average cost of these treatments is significantly less than complete reconstruction or modernization projects. The National Center for Pavement Preservation estimates that every dollar spent on preservation saves $6 to $10 that would have to be spent on future rehabilitation or reconstruction.

Pavement preservation programs are a proactive approach to maintaining our roads using low cost, preventative maintenance treatments. By keeping our good roads good, we can ensure that we are getting the most out of our pavement investment.