Sheridan County Cracks Down on Trucks Dodging K-23 Detour

by Derek White

Sheridan County officials are issuing a firm warning to commercial drivers attempting to cut corners—literally. With Kansas Highway 23 undergoing a major modernization project, truck traffic is required to follow a state-mandated detour using I-70, U.S. 83, and U.S. 24. While this adds over 60 miles to some routes, many truck drivers have instead opted to use county roads to save time and distance.

But that shortcut is causing big problems.

According to Sheridan County Sheriff Brandon Carver, many of these county roads are not equipped for the weight or width of commercial trucks. Most are dirt and gravel roads, narrow and not designed for heavy traffic. After recent rainfall, several vehicles became stuck in the mud, forcing the sheriff’s office to shut down one of the roads altogether.

“This is not just about inconvenience,” said Sheriff Carver. “It’s a safety issue and a financial burden on our local taxpayers. These roads were never meant to handle commercial freight traffic.”

Sheridan County has had a resolution in place since 1995 making it illegal for commercial traffic to use county roads without a legitimate in-county destination. The rule is backed by state law, aligning with the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on size, weight, and load standards.

The sheriff’s office is now working in collaboration with the Kansas Highway Patrol to enforce these regulations aggressively. In a recent public statement, Sheriff Carver made it clear: “Let this serve as notice—if you do not have a legitimate in-county destination, you are not authorized to use county roads within Sheridan County.”

Carver also addressed frustrations being voiced by trucking companies and drivers. He emphasized that it is not the sheriff’s office’s job to manage logistics, broker routes, or accommodate companies trying to avoid higher costs associated with longer detours.

“Our local residents are already sacrificing during this project,” he said. “Operational challenges for commercial carriers should not become a taxpayer problem through road damage and increased maintenance.”

The sheriff acknowledged that his department is receiving a flood of complaints—some even to deputies’ personal phones, but said they remain committed to patrolling and protecting the most impacted areas.

As construction continues on K-23, Sheridan County’s message is simple: follow the detour, respect local roads, and keep safety a priority.