Wichita KS "city meet" - April 18, 2026 (tentative date)

[A.J. Bertin]

Thanks to everyone who voted in my poll regarding the timing of my 2026 Wichita city meet.  The option that got the most votes was the option encouraging me to stick with my usual time of year (late April/early May).  So therefore, I am announcing that the tentative date of my meet will be Saturday, April 18.

The format for this meet will be the same that I've used for my previous "city meets"... a choose-your-own-sightseeing event.  I will select the restaurants where we will convene for lunch and dinner, and folks can explore certain aspects of Wichita individually or in small groups between lunch and dinner.  Some attendees may choose to focus on the highway infrastructure in the area, some may choose to explore the city's downtown area, some may want to check out retail/breweries, some may focus on highway or counting clinching, and of course some may choose some combination of those and any other features of the city that they are interested in.

Wichita is, of course, another city that I've been wanting to explore for a long time.  As with all of my "city meets", I'm exploring the city for the first time and am inviting anyone who is interested to explore it with me.

At some point over the next 4-5 months, I will confirm that April 18 will be the date... but right now, I'm giving myself a very good chance that it will take place on this date.  Certain enough to announce the date now.  I look forward to planning my next meet and look forward to seeing some of you in Wichita next April!

[CoreySamson]

I think I will be able to make this! Looking forward to my first roadmeet!

[A.J. Bertin]

I think I will be able to make this! Looking forward to my first roadmeet!

Keep in mind that it's not a regular road meet because there's no organized tour.  However, it would be great if you're able to join us for your first meet.  We're a fun group. 

[kphoger]

I haven't seen Jonathan on the forum in a while, and his profile says he hasn't been on since ten days ago, but I'm sure he'd be happy to help.  He did for the Wichita roadmeet back in 2013.

Me too, although I'm even more prone to prolonged absences from the forum.

[Rothman]

Will know more about whether or not I'll make it closer to the date...and after the financial aftermath of this year's travels settles down.

[jpi]

Hate to say it but doubt I can make this one since it now takes me an extra days driving to get out to the plains, I will keep this date in mind since I plan to get possible dates for my Harrisburg\ Hershey road meet, it will probably in May that year.

[74/171FAN]

I haven't seen Jonathan on the forum in a while, and his profile says he hasn't been on since ten days ago, but I'm sure he'd be happy to help.  He did for the Wichita roadmeet back in 2013.

Me too, although I'm even more prone to prolonged absences from the forum.

Yeah he is more active in AARW circles these days.

[Great Lakes Roads]

I'm definitely interested in this road meet... it's a 12-hour drive for me.

[A.J. Bertin]

I haven't seen Jonathan on the forum in a while, and his profile says he hasn't been on since ten days ago, but I'm sure he'd be happy to help.  He did for the Wichita roadmeet back in 2013.

Me too, although I'm even more prone to prolonged absences from the forum.

Anyone is welcome to chime in with ideas of things they think attendees might be interested in seeing.    With my city meets, I simply organize a lunch and a dinner and everyone is free to do whatever they wish in the afternoon.

[kphoger]

Anyone is welcome to chime in with ideas of things they think attendees might be interested in seeing.    With my city meets, I simply organize a lunch and a dinner and everyone is free to do whatever they wish in the afternoon.

If there any repeat attendees from the 2013 roadmeet, then they'll want to see the 13th Street flyover.  Back then, we hiked through the weeds to see the pillars as it was in the middle of being constructed.

East Kellogg, from Oliver to the K-96 interchange is worth a drive, especially after dark when one of the underpasses is lit up with one of various colors.

I don't know the timeline for the north interchange, but they're halfway right now through constructing a K-96 over I-135 flyover.

People who have never been here before might enjoy the SPUI-with-frontage-roads interchange at I-235 & West Street.

If you want to see inadequate storage along frontage roads due to poorly designed diamond ramps, then head east on Kellogg and get off at the Towne East Mall exit around lunchtime.  Then imagine what it's like on Fridays at 5:30 pm.

If you like roundabouts, then head north to Newton, which has three roundabout-under-freeway interchanges—two on I-135 and one on US-50.

I still think that spending some time on foot under the Canal Route is a must.

Don't forget to check out the 14-track railroad crossing at 29th & Broadway.

I think the EB K-254 @ 45th/Hillside exit is a unique setup with the lanes the way they are, but it might not be all that interesting to others.  It was even more interesting before they redid it, too.

If you want a really funky interchange, though, head east of Towanda, to Ohio Street Road & SW 20th Street.  The more you think about it, the crazier it gets.

Drive under the Beechcraft runway on Cental between Webb and Greenwich.

[getemngo]

Looks like I have no scheduling conflicts!

I'm already thinking about things I want to see, which are mostly non-roadgeeky but (funny enough) across the Oklahoma border.

[kphoger]

Maybe not all that interesting, but there's the nutsack interchange at Kellogg @ Hillside.  Don't see too many of those.

Dual left turn lanes with permitted LTOR:  I-135 @ 1st-2nd Streets

Unsignalized left turn with option lane:  EB Central Avenue @ ... checks map? ... really? ... that's the street name? ... Veterans Parkway

Volleyball interchange:  Kellogg @ Ridge/airport

Intersections under overpasses:  Oliver & George Washington under KTA with horizontal signals, 29th & Webb not quite under K-96 with one set of horizontal signals

Shopping area roundabout NE of K-96 & Greenwich:  two yield sign approaches, one stop sign approach, one uncontrolled approach

[hbelkins]

If there any repeat attendees from the 2013 roadmeet, then they'll want to see the 13th Street flyover.  Back then, we hiked through the weeds to see the pillars as it was in the middle of being constructed.

Watch out for the burrs.

[kphoger]

If there any repeat attendees from the 2013 roadmeet, then they'll want to see the 13th Street flyover.  Back then, we hiked through the weeds to see the pillars as it was in the middle of being constructed.

Watch out for the burrs.

Oh, see, I figured people would drive it this time.  It's fenced off otherwise.

[A.J. Bertin]

Maybe not all that interesting, but there's the nutsack interchange at Kellogg @ Hillside.  Don't see too many of those.

Dual left turn lanes with permitted LTOR:  I-135 @ 1st-2nd Streets

Unsignalized left turn with option lane:  EB Central Avenue @ ... checks map? ... really? ... that's the street name? ... Veterans Parkway

Volleyball interchange:  Kellogg @ Ridge/airport

Intersections under overpasses:  Oliver & George Washington under KTA with horizontal signals, 29th & Webb not quite under K-96 with one set of horizontal signals

Shopping area roundabout NE of K-96 & Greenwich:  two yield sign approaches, one stop sign approach, one uncontrolled approach

Thank you for all the suggestions... both of road- and non-road-related things to see around Wichita.  Much appreciated!  I'd like to send you a private message if that's all right.

[kphoger]

Thank you for all the suggestions... both of road- and non-road-related things to see around Wichita.  Much appreciated!  I'd like to send you a private message if that's all right.

I haven't really said much about non-road-related things, but you're welcome.

And of course, PM away!

[cl94]

I'm keeping this gathering on my radar. It would be a good excuse to visit a part of the country I haven't spent much time in. And yes, that would mean lots of new counties and road miles.

[hbelkins]

If there any repeat attendees from the 2013 roadmeet, then they'll want to see the 13th Street flyover.  Back then, we hiked through the weeds to see the pillars as it was in the middle of being constructed.

Watch out for the burrs.

Oh, see, I figured people would drive it this time.  It's fenced off otherwise.

Oh, I figured that, I was just recalling how aggravating those things were to remove from my socks and shoes.