June 2020 marks the 50
th
Anniversary of the completion of Kansas Interstate 70. Kansas native President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act which was responsible for creating The Interstate System in the United States. Kansas I-70, which stretches 424-miles across the state, was completed in June 1970. This Interstate was called the “highway of the future” and was part of a 40,000-mile national system of Interstate and Defense Highways.
The completion of I-70 has been essential to the economy of Kansas. Not only does it provide an efficient roadway to transports goods but it also is what connects Kansans and has increased tourism across the state. Tourism in Kansas is a vital part of our economy that contributes more than $11 billion dollars and supports 96,000 jobs state wide. The I-70 Association plays an important role in this corridor by helping to promote tourism in the 16 Kansas I-70 Association communities.
Kansas I-70 is often referred to as “America’s Main Street”. A journey across Kansas I-70 offers travelers many unique world-class events and attractions. The western side of Kansas offers travelers the opportunity to explore Little Jerusalem Badlands, which is Kansas’ newest State Park, or longtime favorites such as Monument and Castle Rocks. Museums such as the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Fick Fossil and History Museum, Flint Hills Discovery Center and Lecompton’s Territorial Capitol Museum allow you to learn about Kansas and our past. The newly renovated Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum will soon be open to welcome visitors. The Kansas City, Kansas area offers exciting options such as the Kansas City Speedway and Zip KC. Along the way travelers can stop to enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, locally grown food and unique shopping experiences.
The I-70 Association is proud to celebrate 50 years of Interstate 70 bringing communities and travelers closer, introducing local culture and helping small business grow along the way.
Kansas I-70 Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1989 by 12 communities along Interstate 70 in Kansas. The current 16 member communities are Goodland, Colby, Oakley, WaKeeney, Hays, Russell, Salina, Abilene, Junction City, Manhattan, Lecompton, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Bonner Springs, Shawnee and Kansas City. The association’s purpose is to achieve an increase in economic benefit to communities located along I-70 from travelers on I-70. The association will accomplish this by working to attract additional travelers and by encouraging travelers to visit more communities and their attractions along I-70 in Kansas.
*Because of closures/schedule changes due to COVID-19 please check availability before traveling.
