Richie Kennedy | route56.com

Welcome to route56.com

Welcome to my anchor point on the web. For over 20 years, I have shared various subjects regarding highway, railways, local radio, and more.

I chose the name “route56” in honor of the green and white variant of the US Highway shield that the Kansas Department of Transportation and its predecessor agency used specifically to mark US 56 from the designation of US 56 in 1956 until KDOT elected to adopt the standard black-and-white design in the mid-1980s

Click on the links above to access the pages devoted to the history of local radio and Kansas Highways, along with other creative outlets.

You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and Flickr.

Latest Blog Posts

  • Civil Servant’s Disclaimer

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    There are a couple of political issues that are currently on my radar. Before I can comment on them, I am obligated to make a disclaimer related to my day job. I am presently employed by the State of Kansas in the Office of Information Technology Services. The opinions articulated on this website are solely…

  • KDOT Lettings: October 2024

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    The list of projects scheduled to be bid at the October 2024 lettings of the Kansas Department of Transportation include the highly anticipated reconstruction of the Polk-Qunicy Viaduct and a pair of new roundabouts north of Manhattan.

  • KDOT Lettings: September 2024

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    Here is a list of projects scheduled to be bid at the September 2024 lettings of the Kansas Department of Transportation.

  • KDOT Lettings: August 2024

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    Here are the projects up for letting in Auguust from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

  • Primary Endorsements

    Primary Endorsements

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    Before I begin, I need to re-iterate my Civil Servant’s Disclaimer: The views expressed on this blog are my own, not those of my employer. Those who know me well will find it unusual, but for this election cycle, I have ‘crossed the floor’ and registered for the Democrat primary. The GOP has no competitive…

  • KDOT Lettings: July 2024

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    Awarded bids announced on July 29 are highlighted in red.Awarded bids announced on September 9 are highlighted in blue. Federal-Aid: 7 C 5217-01: Replace a culvert on 220th Street over an unnamed stream southwest of Fairview 26 C 5221-01: Replace the 370th Avenue bridge over Big Creek South of Walker 69-19 KA 7352-01: Pavement marking…

  • KDOT Lettings: June 2024

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    The June lettings include the widening of the western leg of the South Lawrence Trafficway, along with several pavement marking and bridge repair projects. Awarded bids announced on July 8th are highlighted in red. The Lawrence Times reported on the awarded bid for the South Lawrence Trafficway project on the 3rd. Awarded bids announced on…

  • KDOT Lettings: May 2024

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    Awarded Bids announced on June 6 are highlighted in red. Awarded bids announced on July 8 are highlighted in blue. Federal-Aid: 70-89 KA 6932-01: Deck patching on the California Avenue bridge over I-70 in Topeka. Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, $332,976.37. 4-89 KA 6933-01: Repair the approaches to the Oakland Expressway bridges over 6th…

  • KDOT Lettings: April 2024

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    Here are the projects scheduled to be up for bids on April 17. Awarded Bids announced on May 6 are highlighted in red. One Awarded bid announced on July 8 is highlighted in blue. Federal-Aid 23 TE 0517-01: New Sidewalk along the west side of Church Street from 15th Street to 20th Street in Eudora,…

  • KDOT lettings: March 2024

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    Federal-Aid: 7-22 KA 5722-01: Replace bridge over Mill Creek southeast of White Cloud. One lane traffic to be maintained, controlled by traffic signals. 435-46 KA 4275-02: Rehabilitation work on the I-435 bridges over Midland Drive in Shawnee and full-depth replacement of Midland Drive under 435. 66 TE 0531-01: New sidewalk along Oregon Street in Seneca…