From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Jan. 28, 1971:

• The Kansas State Highway Commission released a map showing the progress of the interstate highway system in Kansas. Just over 692 miles were shown as a solid line, meaning “four lanes completed.” Dotted lines represented about 50 miles of highway under construction, including most of the road between McPherson and Wichita. Over 77 miles were represented as being in the “preliminary engineering stage,” most noticeably the section of I-35 between Ottawa and Emporia.
• In Topeka, the State Highway Commission directed right of way acquisition for 5.2 miles of road improvements for U.S. Hwy. 59 immediately south of Lawrence. Work was to begin on acquiring land for a planned four-lane road beginning at the base of Pleasant Grove Hill and continuing to the intersection of 23rd and Iowa in Lawrence.