KINGMAN — Some say it has been half a century in the making. But on October 5, 2026, the long‑anticipated interchange connecting Interstate 40 to the new Flying Fortress Parkway officially opened, drawing a crowd far larger than organizers expected. Estimates placed attendance near 800 people.
The naming of the interchange and parkway was a topic of discussion early in the project. City Engineer Jason Moquin said the final choice was rooted in Kingman’s aviation history.
“Ultimately, it came down to ‘Flying Fortress’ because it relates back to the B‑class bombers that had their training fields here at the Kingman Airport,” Moquin said.
The Boeing B‑17, famously nicknamed the Flying Fortress by a Seattle reporter for its heavy defensive armament, was the most prominent of those aircraft. Its legacy set the tone for Monday’s ceremony.
Opening remarks were delivered by Tim Gerlach, president of the Kingman Aviation Heritage Center, who emphasized the long road to completion.
“This has been in the works for over 50 years, and here we are looking at the interchange behind us and the road heading toward the airport and industrial park,” Gerlach said.
While the parkway currently ends at Airway Avenue, work continues on the next phase of the route toward the airport and industrial area. The project represents a partnership among federal, state, county, and city agencies. Both District 1 County Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter and Kingman Mayor Ken Watkins highlighted that collaboration. Lingenfelter congratulated the city and its residents:
“On behalf of the entire board of supervisors and our staff, I want to say congratulations to the City of Kingman, the mayor and council, the city manager, and more so to all of you—our citizens.”
Mayor Watkins echoed that sentiment, calling the interchange a community achievement.
“I am so proud to be a part of this accomplishment. I am a citizen of Kingman just as you are, and as citizens, this interchange is an example of what we can accomplish together. It shows what this community can do when it sets its mind to something.”
Following the speeches, officials gathered for the ribbon cutting. Dignitaries gathered around to watch the official opening of the new roadway.
District 4 County Supervisor Don Martin led the ceremonial first drive, becoming the first motorist to travel southbound on Flying Fortress Parkway and merge onto westbound I‑40.
With that, the interchange was officially declared open for business—marking a milestone for Kingman and setting the stage for future development along the new corridor.
