Interstate 335 Kansas

History Southern Terminus Northern Terminus

Routing

Interstate 335 is the part of the Kansas Turnpike between Interstate 35 in Emporia and Interstate 470 near Topeka. Until the late 1980s, this segment of the turnpike did not have a signed numerical designation. Once it was accepted as an Interstate, it was assigned 335, the next logical odd three-digit Interstate number available. The Kansas Turnpike is signed as Interstate 35 from the Oklahoma State Line north to Emporia (Exit 127); Interstate 335 from Emporia northeast to Interstate 470/U.S. 75 (Exit 177); Interstate 470 from Exit 177 to Interstate 70 (Exit 182); and Interstate 70 from Exit 182 east to just beyond Exit 223 (U.S. 24-40-73/Kansas 7). Note that the exit numbers are consistent for the turnpike regardless of the numerical designation.

History

Interstate 335, which is entirely located on the Kansas Turnpike, was constructed as a non-Interstate facility in 1955 and 1956, with the entire turnpike opening on October 21, 1956. The portions of the Kansas Turnpike that carry Interstate 35, Interstate 70, and Interstate 470 were approved as part of the Interstate Highway System by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 1957.¹ Interstate 335 was routed onto the remaining unnumbered section of the Kansas Turnpike in 1987 as part of the agreement to raise only rural Interstate freeways to 65 miles per hour.²

Southern Terminus - Interstate 35 and U.S. 50 - Emporia, Kansas
Perspective from Interstate 335 southbound
On the mainline of the southbound Kansas Turnpike, Interstate 335 is signed with an "end" shield mounted onto a bridge support. Interstate 35 continues straight ahead from this point, which is also the interchange with U.S. 50 in Emporia. Photo taken by Jeff Royston, 03/19/05.
Perspective from Interstate 35 northbound
Interstate 35 leaving the Kansas Turnpike, while Interstate 335 Begins. View taken from U.S. 50 adjacent to the Interstates. Photo taken by Richie Kennedy (3/01).

New signage at the same location on Interstate 35 Northbound. According to Jason Tarman, the signs on this assembly were replaced in early 2001 with new signs that denote that Interstate 335 (Kansas Turnpike) will eventually connect to Kansas City via Interstate 70. Photo taken by Ben Prusia.
Perspective from Interstate 35 southbound
Southbound Interstate 35 and U.S. 50 approach the interchange with the Kansas Turnpike. At this point, U.S. 50 departs onto a conventional highway, while Interstate 35 merges onto the southbound Turnpike. Interstate 335 travels northeast toward Topeka and back to Kansas City. Photo taken by Jeff Royston, 03/19/05.

Southbound Interstate 35 and U.S. 50 reach the left exit onto the mainline of the Kansas Turnpike. Interstate 35 merges onto the Turnpike at this point. Photo taken by Jeff Royston, 03/19/05.
Perspective from U.S. 50
Junction Interstate 35, Interstate 335, and Kansas Turnpike shield assembly found in Emporia. Photo taken by Jeff Royston, 03/19/05.

In Emporia, U.S. 50 directly connects to both directions of the Kansas Turnpike at the same point where Interstate 35 and Interstate 335 meet. On the transition ramp from U.S. 50 is this sign, which points to northbound Kansas Turnpike/Interstate 335 to Topeka and southbound Kansas Turnpike/Interstate 35 to Wichita and Oklahoma City. Photo taken by Jeff Royston, 03/19/05.
Northern Terminus - Interstate 470 - Topeka, Kansas
Perspective from Interstate 70/Kansas Turnpike west
Interstate 70 follows the Kansas Turnpike through eastern Kansas, connecting Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka. The freeway is generally four lanes currently, but plans call for the freeway to be expanded to six lanes. The first advice of the junction with Interstate 470 and the point where Interstate 70 and the turnpike split is the upcoming exits sign for Topeka. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

Both Topeka interchanges are connections to freeways: Exit 183, Junction Interstate 70 west to U.S. 40 and Kansas 4 and Exit 177, Junction Interstate 470 west to U.S. 75 and Junction Interstate 335/Kansas Turnpike south to Interstate 35 and Wichita. In addition to connecting to the continuation of Interstate 70/Oakland Expressway, the newly revised interchange at Exit 183 also provides direct connections to the northbound Kansas 4 freeway and U.S. 40 east to Tecumseh. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

This diagrammatical overhead sign on westbound Interstate 70 shows the lane allocation for Exit 183. The continuation of the Kansas Turnpike (now signed as West Interstate 470 to South Interstate 335) uses the left two lanes, while the continuation of Interstate 70 uses the right two lanes. The turnpike travels southwest to Emporia, where it meets Interstate 35. From there, Interstate 35/Kansas Turnpike continue southwest to Wichita, then turn south toward Wellington. The turnpike ends as the freeway crosses the Kansas-Oklahoma State Line, but Interstate 35 continues south toward Oklahoma City, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Laredo. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

For most Topeka attractions, including downtown, the state capitol building, civic theater, Great Overland Station, Topeka Zoo, and Lake Shawnee, use Interstate 70 west to Exit 365/Rice Road. Lake Shawnee sits southeast of Topeka, so follow the signs to the lake. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

This diagrammatical sign again provides the lane assignments for Interstate 70, Interstate 335, Interstate 470, and the Kansas Turnpike. Although Interstate 335 is signed as if it begins at this junction, it officially does not begin until Exit 177, which is the point where Interstate 470 splits from the turnpike and connects to U.S. 75. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

Westbound Interstate 70 prepares to split from the Kansas Turnpike. In 2001, this interchange was revised to allow for a smoother connection to Interstate 70's westbound continuation as well as reduce delays at the toll plaza. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

The turnpike and Interstate 70 diverge at this split. The left two lanes connect to Interstate 470 west to Interstate 335, while the right lanes continue west on Interstate 70 and U.S. 40. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
Perspective from Interstate 470/Kansas Turnpike west
After Interstate 70 splits toward downtown Topeka, this vista greets motorists on westbound Interstate 470/Kansas Turnpike.After miles of a jersey barrier median, the two directions of Interstate 470 split as the freeway approaches the former Kansas Turnpike Topeka service area. (The former interchange between Interstate 70 and Interstate 470 is where the on-ramp going southbound currently joins the mainline at Milepost 182.) Remnants of the former service area remain, including the left exit ramp and stub ramps. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

The former left exit ramp is now barricaded. A toll plaza remains in the median for departing traffic. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

This ramp bring traffic from northbound Interstate 470 to westbound Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4. Another on ramp from eastbound Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 and westbound U.S. 40/Kansas 4 will merge onto westbound Interstate 470 shortly. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

Oncoming traffic from eastbound Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 and westbound U.S. 40/Kansas 4 must pick up a toll ticket (or pass through the electronic tolling via "K-Tag") before entering the turnpike. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

A neutered shield acts as the first reassurance shield for westbound Interstate 470, which is coupled with a Kansas Turnpike trailblazer. There is no evidence of Interstate 335 south here, even though it was shown on the Interstate 70 overheads. It is fair to say that Interstate 335 does not begin until the point where Interstate 470 splits to the west. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

Traveling south on Interstate 470/Kansas Turnpike west, the first advance signage for Interstate 335 does not mention Interstate 335 and instead mentions Interstate 470 west to Interstate 70 (Exit 177). Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

Westbound Interstate 470 prepares to split from the Kansas Turnpike at Exit 177. Use Interstate 470 west to U.S. 75 freeway south and Interstate 70 in west Topeka. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

Interstate 335 takes over for the Kansas Turnpike; Interstate 470 departs to the west to meet U.S. 75. Note that Interstate 70 is shown on the exit signage, but the junction with Interstate 70 is still six miles northwest of here. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

Now on Exit 177, a toll plaza acts as a barrier between the turnpike and the remaining section of Interstate 470 freeway. The first exit after the toll plaza on Interstate 470 is Exit 6, Topeka Boulevard (former U.S. 75). U.S. 75 has since been relocated to a freeway, which meets Interstate 470 at Exit 5. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

After Interstate 335, westbound Interstate 470 is known as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Highway. The route is signed for its junctions with U.S. 75 and Interstate 70. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
Perspective from Topeka Boulevard north
This set of shields for Interstate 335, Interstate 470, and U.S. 75 are located on northbound Topeka Boulevard (former U.S. 75) at the ramp to Interstate 335 and Interstate 470. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
Perspective from Topeka Boulevard Connector west
After turning from Topeka Boulevard onto the connector to Interstate 470, this set of signs advises westbound Interstate 470 (to U.S. 75) motorists to use the right lane. The left lane connects to eastbound Interstate 470 and southbound Interstate 335 by feeding directly onto the Kansas Turnpike at Exit 177. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).