Public Information

Travel Information: Where Safe Summer Travel Starts

May 19, 2006 ( 06-129)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Contact: Barb Blue, (785) 291-3818 or Steve Swartz (785)296-3585

Travel Information: Where Safe Summer Travel Starts

With Memorial Day weekend and the summer travel season nearly here, the Kansas Department of Transportation reminds travelers that it provides travel information resources to assist them in planning their trips.

The Kansas 511 Travel Information phone line and Web site, http://511.ksdot.org, can help make trips safer and less frustrating. By calling 511 from anywhere in Kansas or 1-866-511-KDOT (5368) from anywhere in the U.S., travelers can get specific road conditions, construction detours, and weather information for Interstate, US and Kansas state highways, as well as Kansas Turnpike routes.

Weather in Kansas can change very quickly during spring and summer. Severe fast-moving storms can create unsafe travel conditions very quickly. With updates every 15 minutes, Kansas 511 can be a resource to help keep travelers informed about changing weather conditions during all seasons.

“We received nearly 50,000 calls last spring and summer, and did see call volumes increase during periods of spring and summer storms last year, particularly when flooding was predicted,” stated Barb Blue, KDOT spokesperson. “The goal for 511 is to provide information to assist travelers in making informed travel decisions and taking actions that will help keep them and other travelers safe, perhaps even save lives.”

Information is provided 24 hours a day and is free from a landline phone. For cellular phone users, air time charges may apply, but no roaming fee should be involved.

Kansas 511 also provides similar information for Nebraska, and Nebraska 511 provides information for Kansas. Travelers may also access Colorado travel information by calling “511” from anywhere within Colorado. However, Colorado 511 is not yet accessible outside of the state. Kansas 511 provides phone numbers for callers to access road weather information in Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado.

Road condition information is entered by KDOT crews across the state. The same road condition and more detailed construction/detour information are also available on KDOT’s Internet site at http://511.ksdot.org or through KDOT’s main web site, www.ksdot.org, under “Road Conditions.” Specific information for the Kansas City metropolitan area can be accessed at www.kcscout.net. A link is also provided from this site for statewide information under “Contacts and Links—Transportation Links.”

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