K-55 is a west-east state highway in the U.S. state of Kansas. K-55's western terminus is at U.S. Route 81 roughly north of Wellington and the eastern terminus is at K-15 in Udall. It passes through the town of Belle Plaine. The road's westbound terminus is a triangle-type intersection. Just before the western terminus, the road passes under the Kansas Turnpike, although there is no intersection. Turnpike access is available at K-53 to the north and US-160 to the south near Wellington. K-55 was first designated a state highway in 1927, and at that time ran from K-12 in Oxford, northwestward to US-81 in Belle Plaine. By 1931 it was changed to an alignment from US-81 in Belle Plain east to US-77 south of Rock. Then by 1932, K-55 was truncated to K-15 west of Udall. Then in a January 1, 1941 resolution, K-15 was realigned from southeast of Mulvane to Udall, and at that time K-55 was extended east to Udall.
Route description
K-55 begins at US-81 north of Wellington and begins travelling east. It crosses under Interstate 35 and continues for another, then crosses the BNSF Railway as it enters the city of Belle Plaine. About past the city, the highway crosses Cowskin Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas River. Another roughly past here, K-55 crosses the Arkansas River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. It continues east, crosses Antelope Creek, then crosses into Cowley County. About past the county line, the roadway enters the city of Udall. It continues through Udall until it reaches Clark Street, where it turns north and intersects K-15, K-55's eastern terminus. The Kansas Department of Transportation tracks the traffic levels on its highways, and in 2018, they determined that on average the traffic varied from 805 vehicles near the eastern terminus to 2050 vehicles just east of Belle Plaine. K-55 is not included in the National Highway System, a system of highways important to the nation's defense, economy, and mobility. K-55 does connect to the NationalHighway System at its junction with K-15.
History
K-19 was first designated by KDOT in 1927, and at that time ran from K-12 in Oxford, northwestward to US-81 in Belle Plaine. By 1931 this alignment had been abandoned, and instead K-55 ran from US-81 in Belle Plain east to US-77 south of Rock, creating a short overlap with K-15. Then by 1932, K-55 was truncated to K-15, and the old alignment of K-55 between K-15 and US-77 became a new alignment of K-15. Before 1941, K-55 ended west of Udall at K-15. Then in a January 1, 1941 resolution, K-15 was realigned from southeast of Mulvane to Udall, and at that time K-55 was extended east to Udall.
