Here's your sign: Interpretive Kansas Byway signs upgraded

The Land and Sky National Scenic Byway interpretive sign at K-27 near St. Francis.

Travelers on the 12 scenic or historic byways in Kansas will enjoy their trips even more this year thanks to new or upgraded interpretive signs at 39 locations across the state. Kansas Byways are a collection of routes that highlight the beauty, history and heritage of Kansas; help stimulate the economy through tourism; and promote a positive image of the state.

The Kansas Byways program is jointly managed by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), the Kansas Historical Society (KHS) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Nine of the routes are scenic byways (two of which are national scenic byways) and three are historic byways.

The latest $1.44 million project included construction of five new kiosks housing interpretive panels, the rehabilitation of 12 existing kiosks and their signs, 26 interpretive signage plazas and 12 Kansas Byway welcome boards which will guide travelers to the byways as they travel the state. In all, 142 panel surfaces were produced.

KDOT and KDWPT received a $220,000 National Scenic Byway grant from the FHWA in 2010 to develop the Kansas Byways Interpretive Plan. KDOT and KDWPT evenly split the required 20 percent match of $44,000. Fermata, Inc. of Austin, Tex., was awarded the contract for the plan, which served as the basis for the signage project.

In 2014, KDWPT received a two-phase Transportation Alternative Grant from the FHWA which was administered through KDOT for design and construction. RDG Planning and Design, Omaha, Neb., was responsible for the design phase ($235,560). GSR Construction, Inc., Lawrence, served as general contractor ($986,168) for the construction phase. KDWPT paid the required 20 percent match for each phase.

“The project is the result of a huge partnership, and we want to thank our partners in this effort,” said Scott Shields, KDOT Byways Manager. “They include the National Scenic Byway Program, the FHWA, local byway committees, KDOT and KDWPT staff, local Kansas Byway cities and counties and the KHS.”

The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway interpretive sign near Council Grove.

Members of the local byway committees appreciate the enhancements to their byways.

“The kiosk and new interpretive signage add so much to the history and understanding of the surrounding area for tourists to stop and read,” said Kaye Kuhn, Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway, south central Kansas.

Jayne Humphrey Pearce added, “The Western Vistas Historic Byway Steering Committee is delighted that these new features are now available to those exploring our byway.”

For information about exploring the Kansas Byways, visit https://www.travelks.com/ksbyways/.

Grand opening celebrates completion of scenic overlook

Attendees of the grand opening of the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway Overlook put the structure to good use as they look out over Cheyenne Bottoms. 

Earlier this week, Barton County celebrated the grand opening of the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway Overlook along K-4, which sits atop 100-foot bluffs encircling the Cheyenne Bottoms basin on all three sides.

A view of Cheyenne Bottoms

The Cheyenne Bottoms is a wetland area located in Barton County and the largest inland marsh in the United States. It is a critical stopover place for migratory birds and waterfowl. 

Construction of this project began earlier this spring. Federal funds were provided through the Kansas Department of Transportation for the construction, engineering and inspection costs of this project. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism shared the design costs with Barton County. 

Barry McManaman, Barton County Engineer, said that the event went well despite the wet weather. Approximately 40 people, including representatives from KDOT, KDWPT, and Barton County, along with members of the public, braved the rain to attend the ribbon cutting.

Attendees of the grand opening of the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway Overlook put the structure to good use as they look out over Cheyenne Bottoms.

McManaman said that this scenic overlook would be a big attraction for not only for local residents, but also those traveling the wetlands.

“We anticipate there will be quite a few people who will stop in to see the Cheyenne bottoms,” McManaman said. “It’s been a project a long time in the making, and the Barton County Commissioners are thrilled to see it done. It’s a pretty neat facility and we are pleased with the way it turned out.”

Attendees of the grand opening of the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway Overlook put the structure to good use as they look out over Cheyenne Bottoms.

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center oversees interactive exhibits, education programs and outreach with both the Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife refuge.

Curtis Wolf, the site manager for the KWEC, said that the addition of the overlook would benefit visitors.

“It’s a good thing to have here because it is another attraction that we are able to utilize and provide for our visitors,” Wolf said. “We can tell them about the overlook and provide them with directions so they can visit it on their own.”

Cheyenne Bottoms Kiosk. 

Wolf said that the overlook will also be used with the van tours now that improvements have been made and additional projects are planned to compliment the location.

“We are going to be doing some exhibit renovations in the next year. And all of these improvements go to better the visitor experience,” Wolf said.

Wolf said that the partnership between the state, KWEC, and local entities made this project possible.

“From the KWEC’s standpoint we appreciate the various entities that came together to cooperate and continue to add features to the wetlands and help the visitors experience them the best they can,” Wolf said.