A recently completed new alignment of Interstate 70 at the Kansas Turnpike and Interstate 470 eastern terminus extends the 3-digit route a slight distance to the east.

History

The section of Interstate 470 that overlays the Kansas Turnpike was constructed 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. Interstate 335 was designated for the remaining unnumbered section of the Kansas Turnpike in 1987. The remainder of Interstate 470 (free section) was constructed in the 1960s.¹

Mileage

State	Mileage	Cities	Junctions
Kansas	13.72	Topeka	Interstate 70, Interstate 335, Interstate 70
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

Western Terminus - Interstate 70, U.S. 40, and Kansas 4 - west of Topeka, Kansas
Perspective from Interstate 470 west
	This mileage sign, which provides the distance to the next three exits on westbound Interstate 470/Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Highway and northbound U.S. 75 in Topeka, is the first indication of the pending junction with Interstate 70, U.S. 40, and Kansas 4. The next two exits are Exit 2, 21st Street and Exit 1B, Wanamaker Road/Huntoon Street. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	The penultimate exit on westbound Interstate 470 and northbound U.S. 75 in Topeka is Exit 1B, Wanamaker Road/Huntoon Street. The final exit is Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 70, U.S. 40, and Kansas 4. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	This is the first overhead advance guide signage for Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 70 on Interstate 470 west/U.S. 75 north. U.S. 75 overlaps with Interstate 470 from Exit 5 westward. The federal highway turns easterly with Interstate 70 to Exit 358A into north Topeka. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	Use the right lane to continue north on U.S. 75 to Holton and connect to eastbound Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 toward downtown Topeka. The left lane connects to westbound Interstate 70, U.S. 40, and Kansas 4 en route to Junction City and Herington. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	Interstate 470 draws to a close at Exit 1A/Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 eastbound in west Topeka. This photograph shows the departure of the Exit 1A ramp with mainline traffic defaulting onto Interstate 70 westbound. U.S. 40 and Kansas 4 are given a reduced status, receiving shields attached to the sign bridge in lieu of placement on the Interstate 70 guide signs themselves. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	An end Interstate 470 Kansas shield resides along the ramp to Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 westbound. Kansas 4 departs Interstate 70 in three miles while U.S. 40 remains in-tow through to Exit 76. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
Perspective from Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 west and U.S. 75 south
	Now on westbound Interstate 70, U.S. 40, and Kansas 4, this mileage sign provides the distance to the next two exits: Exit 356, Wanamaker Road and Exit 355, Junction Interstate 470 and U.S. 75 south. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	The quarter-mile advance sign for Interstate 470 and U.S. 75 south is posted on the Wanamaker Road overpass. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	Westbound Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 reaches Exit 355, Junction Interstate 470 east and U.S. 75 south. This ramp carries U.S. 75 away from Interstate 70, allowing north-south traffic in conjunction with the bypass a way around downtown to the Kansas Turnpike and points southward. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	A sweeping flyover ramp is in place for Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 westbound to Interstate 470 east at Exit 355. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
Perspective from Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 east
	After the Kansas 4 interchange (Exit 353), eastbound Interstate 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 approaches Exit 355, Junction Interstate 470 east and U.S. 75 south. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	The one-mile advance sign for Exit 355, Junction Interstate 470 east and U.S. 75 south is an overhead. Use Interstate 470 east to Forbes Field Airport. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	No directional banner is used for Interstate 470. While U.S. 75 used to be routed through Topeka, it has since been rerouted to bypass the city center via Interstate 470 and Interstate 70. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	With an older style overpass in the foreground, Interstate 470 begins as Exit 355 from Interstate 70 eastbound. Interstate 470 merges with the Kansas Turnpike in six miles, overtaking the Interstate status from Interstate 355 in the process. Photo taken by Ben Prusia (2002).
	The original sign assembly at the Interstate 70 and 470 eastbound split. The Kansas Turnpike was featured prominently on the Exit 355 overhead and U.S. 75 did not overlap with either Interstate 70 or 470 yet. A concrete jersey barrier now composes the grassy median depicted here. Note also that the Wanamaker Road overhead lacked an Exit 356 tab. Photo taken by Michael Summa (1984).
Eastern Terminus - Interstate 70 - east of 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 70/U.S. 40/Kansas 4 east
	After the Rice Road interchange (Exit 365), eastbound Interstate 70, U.S. 40, and Kansas 4 approach Exit 366, Junction Interstate 470 and the Kansas Turnpike. At this interchange, Interstate 70 east transitions onto the toll road for the remaining distance to Kansas City, while Interstate 470 carries the toll road southwest as part of the Topeka bypass route. Use Interstate 470 west (south) to connect to Interstate 335/Kansas Turnpike south to Interstate 35 at Emporia. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	The left two lanes of eastbound Interstate 70 transition directly onto the Kansas Turnpike, while the right lane exits only to provide the continuation of U.S. 40 and Kansas 4 east as well as connect to westbound Interstate 470. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	Eastbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 366, Junction Interstate 470/Kansas Turnpike west (south) to Emporia and Wichita via Interstate 335 and Interstate 35. This exit also connects to U.S. 40 and Kansas 4 east. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	Now on the transition ramp from eastbound Interstate 70, the left lane connects to U.S. 40 and Kansas 4 east, while the right lane transitions onto Interstate 470 west. No mention of Interstate 335 is provided in this direction. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	After separating from Interstate 70, the companion routes U.S. 40 and Kansas 4 brief share alignment as they follow a short freeway. Turning north after the Interstate 470 ramp, U.S. 40 and Kansas 4 prepare to split. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	Northbound (eastbound) U.S. 40 and Kansas 4 swell to three lanes, but they will soon separate and lose lanes. U.S. 40 turns east along 6th Street, while Kansas 4 continues north (east) meet U.S. 24 and then connect to U.S. 59 at Nortonville. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).
	The left lane continues northeast on Kansas 4, while U.S. 40 east departs from the freeway at this interchange. The freeway reduces to a Super Two (with one lane in each direction) before reaching U.S. 24 on the north bank of the Kansas River. 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. Photo taken by AARoads (10/17/04).

Footnotes/Sources:

1. Kansas Interstate 50th Anniversary

Page Updated October 20, 2006.