Travelers on Kansas Highway 177 in Morris County will notice a slight increase in the speed limits.
The Kansas Department of Transportation has approved an increase from 60 mph to 65 mph. This will affect drivers from Council Grove north to Interstate 70 in Morris and Geary counties.
KDOT says the adjustment follows reconstruction of K-177, as well as a speed study and what it calls a sight distance review.
The speed limit adjustment north of Council Grove comes as there is now a bridge replacement project on K-177 south of Council Grove.
Work is beginning this week to replace a bridge over Fourmile Creek. There will be one-lane traffic, temporary traffic signals and reduced speeds as part of this project.
The bridge replacement over Fourmile Creek will lead to full reconstruction of K-177 — including closing the highway to thru traffic — between Strong City and Council Grove starting in April 2026 and possibly ending by Thanksgiving 2026. Bob Bergkamp Construction of Wichita is the general contractor for both the bridge replacement and the K-177 reconstruction, bidding $9.5 million for the contract.
