HODGEMAN COUNTY, KANSAS — Hodgeman County commissioners have approved a $500 fine for commercial trucks that bypass the Kansas Department of Transportation‘s signed detour around a K-156 construction closure and instead cut through county gravel roads that were never built to handle heavy truck traffic.
The Hodgeman County Board of Commissioners passed the resolution on May 11, 2026, establishing the “No Commercial Traffic Without Local Designation” rule. The ordinance was prompted by a series of accidents, traffic backups, and safety incidents on county roads — particularly 214 Road — since the K-156 closure began on April 6. The closure, scheduled to run through July 3, allows for shoulder widening. KDOT’s official signed detour uses U.S. 50, U.S. 400, U.S. 283, and K-23.
No truck signage will be installed along 214 Road and several other roadways, but the county made clear the rule applies to all county roads even if not posted. The Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Office will begin patrolling the area and issuing $500 citations without warning after a two-week publication period.
What Prompted the Resolution
On May 6, a cattle truck overturned on 214 Road between O Road and K-156, sending livestock running in all directions. The Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Office noted the rollover happened in the same area where deputies had already been warning trucks to stay off the road.
On April 30, HCSO reported a complete traffic backup on the same stretch caused by semi-trucks that had ignored the detour and become stuck. “Just letting everyone know that is going through the road construction and attempting to take back roads — K-156 and 214 Road to O Road is completely blocked by semis that ignored the detour. If you are local traffic find a different route. These trucks may be sitting a while,” HCSO said at the time.
Why It Matters
County officials noted the gravel roads were not designed to carry heavy commercial truck traffic. The ordinance was passed to protect public health, prevent damage to residents’ vehicles, and preserve the integrity of county roads.
“This resolution is in reference to big truck traffic on our county roads in the construction zone area. Some will not like this resolution at all but our number one goal is the safety of people on county roads. We have had a lot of close calls and we aren’t even close to the project being completed,” HCSO said following the vote.
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