Mowing 101: How KDOT maintains Kansas roadways

KDOT maintains more than 150,000 acres of highway right of way across the state through mowing, weeding and land maintenance. 

Did you know that KDOT maintains more than 150,000 acres of highway right of way?  As a result that means there is a lot of grass to mow, land to maintain and weeds to control.  Each year KDOT spends approximately $6.7 million on mowing efforts. There are a few situations that KDOT takes into consideration before mowing will take place:

Crews will mow at specific times during the year, but it will also be done as necessary for safety reasons. KDOT’s largest priority are visibility areas in and around intersections, signs and inside of curves.

As seen in recent weeks, mowing after periods of heavy, prolonged rain can make it difficult on equipment and can cause ruts in the land adjacent to highways. Mowing in these conditions can also damage equipment, which can take even longer to repair and get the area mowed. KDOT crews will mow areas when it is safe to do so.

KDOT's priorities are visibility areas in and around intersections, signs and inside of curves.

Wildflowers and native grasses are an important part of the Kansas ecosystem, and many of them grow naturally along highways and on our right-of-way. These wildflowers and grasses are also home to wildlife, they are important to pollinators and help keep our state looking beautiful. Once these plants have time to grow, they cost less to maintain. Areas outside of the shoulder edge are not mowed from April 15 through October 1. This helps protect wildlife that may nest in the ground and helps aid in sustaining Kansas’ native grasses and wildflowers. KDOT works closely with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, The Natural Resource Conservation Services and other conservation groups on our road system.

As summer continues, maintenance crews work hard to keep Kansas moving, please give them room to work.

In order to save time and give our crews more opportunities to fix roads and maintain areas that have a larger impact on traffic, KDOT may mow less frequently in underdeveloped areas. Mowing on steep slopes can be dangerous, and KDOT also limits the amount of times those areas are mowed as well.

There are many benefits for KDOT’s mowing policy and the amount of time and funds saved gives crews more time and resources to maintain highways and bridges. Farmers and adjacent landowners can harvest hay from the roadsides at no cost.  

In addition to all these situations,

As summer continues, KDOT maintenance crews are working hard to keep Kansas moving. Please give them room to do their job, whether its filling potholes, picking up litter or mowing the right of way.

You can find more information about KDOT’s mowing policies and permit information on our webpage:

Desert your cars and go on an adventure at the Sand Hills State Park

By Laurie Arellano,
Interim Communications Director and District 1 Public Affairs Manager

Just off the TransAmerica bike trail in Hutchinson, drivers on Old K-61 will see “Share the Road” signs as bikers head to Sand Hills State Park to experience over 14 miles of trails on the 1,123 acres of preserved sand dunes, grassland, wetland and woodlands

For those who love the look and feel of desert sand but want all the humidity that Kansas is famous for, Sand Hills State Park is where you want to hike or bike.

Sand Hills State Park proudly proclaims it has more sand than most deserts. Dunes between 10 and 40 feet high were formed by wind-deposited sands from the Arkansas River at the end of the Ice Age and are now covered with native grasses and plants.

A total of eight trails, one of which is an interpretive trail and a total of four of which are designated equestrian trails, weave across the prairie, along water features, and among native flora and fauna.  Biking and hiking are allowed on all trails, but the hiking trails are more suitable for biking unless riders have fatbikes to conquer the very soft, loose sand on the equestrian trails.

The 14 miles of trails run deep into the park. In the heat and humidity of central Kansas, carrying water is going to be a must, as the workout walking, riding or pushing a bike through the loose sand is harder than it looks.  But the view of the natural prairie from the top of the dunes is worth the trip in and up to the top.  Some trails offer a cooler trip through primarily woodland sections of the park.

Transport yourself back to untouched prairie sculpted by natural forces from long-ago and take a walk or a ride through Sand Hills State Park.