KDOT: All previously closed sections of I-70 reopened in NW Kansas following winter storm
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Late Wednesday night update: The Kansas Department of Transportation has reopened westbound I-70 between Hays and Oakley and reports that all previously closed sections of I-70 in northwest Kansas are now open.
Wednesday night Update: The Kansas Department of Transportation reports reopening eastbound lanes of I-70 at Oakley and westbound lanes between Salina and Hays.
“The remaining I-70 closure is on the westbound lanes between Hays and Oakley due to vehicles blocking the roadway. Road conditions have improved across much of the region, and motorists may consider using alternate routes while the closure remains in effect,” KDOT advised.
Wednesday evening update: The Kansas Department of Transportation offered another update as conditions gradually continue to improve in western Kansas. KDOT reports reopening eastbound lanes of I-70 between the Colorado border and Oakley. Both directions remain closed between Salina and Oakley because of disabled vehicles blocking the roadway.
Several state highways have also reopened throughout northwest Kansas.
Wednesday afternoon update: The Kansas Department of Transportation has reopened the westbound lanes of I-70 from Oakley to the Colorado border. The eastbound lanes of I-70 are still closed from the Colorado line to Salina and in both directions between Salina and Oakley because of winter weather conditions. KDOT reports there are also disabled vehicles blocking the road.
Other reopened routes in northwest Kansas include:
- U.S. 36 between Norton and the Colorado border
- U.S. 40 between Oakley and the Colorado border
- U.S. 24 between Colby and Levant
- K-25 between U.S. 40 and the Nebraska border
- K-27 between Sharon Springs and the Nebraska border
8 a.m. update: I-70 is now closed at Salina.
Update: The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed eastbound and westbound I-70 between Hays and the Colorado border because of accumulating snow and low visibility.
Additional road closures in northwest Kansas include:
- U.S. 36 from Phillipsburg to the Colorado border (both directions)
- U.S. 40 from Sharon Springs to the Colorado border (both directions)
- U.S. 83 from the K-383 junction to the Nebraska border
KDOT asks that motorists not attempt to avoid interstate closures by using secondary routes. Any non-essential travel should be delayed until conditions improve.
For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit kandrive.gov, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.
The Kansas Department of Transportation said it’s closed eastbound and westbound Interstate 70 between Goodland and Colby due to low visibility and winter weather conditions.
A Storm Team 12 Weather Alert continues into Wednesday for high winds (topping 60 mph) and snow that will complicate travel through Wednesday morning. Although snow amounts are likely to remain somewhat light, the combination of snow and wind will make for very poor visibility on I-70 and I-135 early in the day.
For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit kandrive.gov, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.
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