Interstate 335 Kansas

Overview

Interstate 335 follows the Kansas Turnpike between I-35 at Emporia and I-470 at Topeka. A lone service plaza and interchange (Exit 147) with U.S. 56 near the city of Admire line the 50.17 mile long rural stretch. 2018 traffic counts ranged from 9,150 vehicles per day (vpd) north from Emporia to 9,500 vpd south of Topeka.

A number of overpasses along the I-335 section of the Kansas Turnpike do not meet Interstate height standards. Therefore over height trucks are directed off the turnpike northbound at Emporia or southbound at the South Topeka interchange.

Mileage by State

Kansas

50.13 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

History

The Kansas Turnpike was constructed in 1955 and 1956, with the entire toll road opening on October 21, 1956. The portions of the Kansas Turnpike that carry I-35, I-70, and I-470 were approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for inclusion in the Interstate Highway System in 1957.¹ The turnpike is signed as I-35 from the Oklahoma State line north to Emporia (Exit 127); I-335 from Emporia northeast to I-470 (Exit 177); I-470 from Exit 177 to I-70 (Exit 182); and I-70 from Exit 182 east to U.S. 24-40-73/K-7 (Exit 224) at Bonner Springs. The turnpike system utilizes one exit number system regardless of the route number.

Also as approved by the FHWA, Interstate 335 was designated on the unnumbered section of the Kansas Turnpike on October 23, 1987. Kansas sought Interstate status for this stretch of the turnpike as part of the law passed by Congress that raised the speed limit from 55 to 65 miles per hour on rural Interstate routes (those outside urban areas with populations exceeding 50,000). Inclusion of the unnumbered section of the Turnpike into the Interstate system qualified the route for the higher speed limit.²

Changes were made to the south end of Interstate 335, where I-35 overtakes the Kansas Turnpike southwest from Emporia to El Dorado. A $32.9 million project both reconfigured a directional interchange with left side ramps joining I-35 with adjacent U.S. 50, and relocated the trumpet interchange with the freeway and toll road. Previously I-35 utilized a TOTSO (turn off to stay on) connection from the Emporia bypass to the Kansas Turnpike toll plaza. Replacing the previous ramp configuration dubbed by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) as the "spaghetti bowl," the freeway was realigned to meet Interstate 335 directly with a new diamond interchange and roundabout system. Work on the new exchange was completed in November 2008.³

North End  ‐ Topeka, KS

North at

Interstate 335 lowers in elevation from hills to the southwest of Topeka to enter the city limits at the SW 49th Street underpass. I-470 west / U.S. 75 north serve the west side of the capital city while I-470 east to I-70/U.S. 40 west serve eastern reaches of the city. 06/18/15

West at

Interstate 470 provides a bypass of Topeka and the Polk-Quincy Viaduct section of I-70 by Downtown for long distance travelers headed to Denver, Colorado. Denver is not referenced at the I-70 and 470 split prior however. 10/31/16

East at

Just beyond the split with U.S. 75 south, Interstate 470 enters a trumpet interchange with access roads for both South Topeka Boulevard and the Kansas Turnpike (I-335 south). 10/31/16

South Topeka Blvd at

This set of shields for I-335, I-470 and U.S. 75 direct motorists onto the freeway access road west from South Topeka Boulevard (former U.S. 75) and Kansas Avenue. Originally a trumpet interchange connected the arterial route with Interstate 470. It was removed after U.S. 75 was realigned westward onto a freeway. 10/17/04

North at

U.S. 75 travels 15 miles north from U.S. 50 at Four Corners to Pauline and I-335, I-470 and the Kansas Turnpike at south Topeka. 06/19/15

North End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

West at

Previous guide signs for Exit 177 along the Kansas Turnpike west referenced Interstate 70 in addition to I-470 and U.S. 75. South Topeka was replaced with both Topeka and Salina on replacements. 10/17/04

South End  ‐ Emporia, KS

South at

Interstate 335 concludes a 19.84 mile exit less stretch on the west side of Emporia in two miles. The toll road spans the Neosho River two miles ahead of Exit 127. 10/31/16

North at

Interstate 335 north begins at Exit 127 where I-35 branches east from the Kansas Turnpike across the city of Emporia. 10/05/21

South at

Prior to merging with the Kansas Turnpike at the south end of I-335, Interstate 35 angles southwest from Industrial Road to a roundabout interchange (Exit 127 A) for U.S. 50. There is no Exit 127 B, as Exit 127 A is a leftover from the “spaghetti bowl” interchange. 06/17/15

South End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

North at

The northbound split of Interstate 35 and the Kansas Turnpike prior to the reconfiguring of Exit 127. Ottawa was replaced with Kansas City on sign replacements. Photo by Richie Kennedy (03/01).

South at

Ground level guide sign posted at the original trumpet interchange joining Interstate 35 south with the Kansas Turnpike. Photo by Jeff Royston (03/19/05).

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

at

Prior to the 2006-08 reconstruction, U.S. 50 met Interstate 35 directly at a expansive interchange with left exit ramps. This connection was replaced by a roundabout and access road leading north to I-35, with U.S. 50 remaining on a separate alignment to the south. Photo by Jeff RoystonJeff Royston (03/19/05).

References

1. Kansas Interstate 50th Anniversary. Retrieved from https://www.ksdot.org/interstate50th/default.asp
2. "65 MPH Approved for Route." Wichita Eagle, The (KS), October 24, 1987
3. "Winter has done little to delay interchange project." Emporia Gazetta, The (KS), January 30, 2007.
4. Tarman, Jason.