K-161 is a north-south state highway located entirely within Cheyenne County in the U.S. State of Kansas. K-161's southern terminus is at U.S. Route 36 in Bird City and the northern terminus is a continuation as Nebraska Highway 61 at the Nebraska border. The entire length of K-161 is designated as the Ancient Indian Traders Trail. K-161 become a state highway in 1955, as Cheyenne County had brought the roadway up to state highway standards. The route has not been changed since it was established. K-161 was designated as the Ancient Indian Traders Trail in 2014.
Route description
K-161 begins at US-36 in the northwest part of Bird City. The first of the highway follows a due north course. After that, the highway curves slightly to the west through a series of hills. After clearing the hills, the highway resumes a due north course for a further to the Nebraska state line. North of the line, the road becomes N-61. The entire length of K-161 is designated as the Ancient Indian Traders Trail. The Kansas Department of Transportation tracks the traffic levels on its highways, and in 2017, they determined that on average the traffic varied from 435 vehicles near the southern terminus to 635 vehicles near the northern terminus. The entire route is paved with partial design bituminous pavement. K-161 is not included in the National Highway System. The NationalHighway System is a system of highways important to the nation's defense, economy, and mobility.
History
K-161 was first approved to become a state highway in a November 24, 1954 resolution, as soon as Cheyenne County had finished constructing the roadway to state highway standards. Cheyenne County soon finished projects to bring the road up to state highway standards and then in a February 21, 1955 resolution, it was established as a state highway. The route has not been changed since it was established. In 2014, state representative Cassidy showed support to designate K-161 as the Ancient Indian Traders Trail. K-161 was designated this due to it being near the route of a trail historically used as a hunting, military, and trading route over a long period of time. The cost of making and installing the two signs would be $2,140, along with $1,070 for future maintenance was provided to KDOT. The signs were unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony in Bird City on September 7, 2014.
