Traffic Back-ups at Fort Riley

Updated 9 a.m.: From KHP Lt. Greg Harkrader

Traffic is back to normal through Ogden. We did see traffic backed up all the way to Skyway and the K-114 junction at times. Not sure if we have ever seen it that far.

Traffic on I-70 W.B. at Exit 301 is back to normal. Ramp is free flowing normally

Traffic on I-70 E.B. at Exit 301 is back to normal. However, traffic at times is backed up from the gate to the bridge over I-70.

We did not work any crashes this morning. However, we did encounter several vehicles turning through the median west of Exit 301 on I-70. Turning through median on the interstate is illegal, and a common cause for accidents during traffic backups like we seen this morning.

We are working with KDOT on additional traffic messages and the placement of sign boards to alert traffic of backups for the remainder of the week.

Some travelers thought that I-70 was closed. The interstate was never closed, just traffic backed up on the shoulders and through Ogden due to Fort Riley traffic.

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Updated 7:30 a.m.: KHP Lt. Greg Harkrader is reporting Ogden is backed up almost to Skyway Drive,
I-70 Westbound is backed up on the shoulder approximately ¼ to ½ mile at times
I-70 Eastbound is backed up on the shoulder approximately ½ mile.No accidents for KHP. But Harkrader says they are still monitoring the area.

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The Kansas Highway Patrol is reporting traffic backup at all entrance gates to Fort Riley Monday morning. Lt. Greg Harkrader attributes this to the new security changes that came to fruition on Friday afternoon.

Harkrader describes significant backups through Ogden, on K-18 and the 12th Street interchange, and I-70 Exit 301 to Marshall Field. As of 6 a.m. no accidents, but traffic is congested and slow/crawling on the shoulders to get to the gate(s).

Fort Riley refers to the changes on its facebook page, saying:

“In accordance with U.S. Northern Command directive, Fort Riley has increased security measures across the installation. There is no specific threat to Fort Riley. This is a prudent measure to establish proactive actions to mitigate threats to the installation and protect personnel, assets, resources and infrastructure.

We always take the security of our Soldiers, Families and civilians seriously.

Remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 785-240-WARN (240-9276).”