I-35/635 Turkey Creek Interchange

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The Turkey Creek Interchange is a partial system interchange between I-35, I-635 and US-69 located in northern Johnson County Kansas. The interchange is constructed as a three-quarter interchange with several diagonal ramps, many of which are located in the median area of I-35. The partial interchange serves movements from north and southbound I-35 both to and from I-635, from US 69 northbound to I-635 or I-35 northbound, and southbound I-35 or I635 to US 69 Southbound. Currently there is no connection to I-35 South from US 69 North or from I-35 North to US 69 South.

Current Intersection Conditions and Safety Concerns

This interchange has not had any significant upgrades since it was opened to traffic in 1975. Since then, the area around the interchange has become significantly urbanized and there has been significant growth in the region. Due to the current geometric configuration of the interchange, the increase in traffic volume has led to several safety concerns. These safety concerns arise due to tight merging areas, dangerous weaving conditions, and limited lane throughput causing traffic to back up onto interstates 35 and 635 and leading to a high risk of traffic incidents, injury and traffic fatalities. Additionally, some of the ramps have very tight curves on them leading to a higher risk of vehicles overturning or leaving the roadway. Due to these safety concerns and geometric deficiencies of the interchange it is clear that operational improvements are needed to improve the geometric design of the interchange, Improve the interchange capacity to favor southbound I-635 movements to I-35 south and northbound I-635 movements from I-35 north.

Improvements recommended for the interchange would require a significant investment and would probably require at least 2 to 3 construction seasons to complete. Indyroads recommends fast tracking the project in order to reduce closures and quick delivery of the project. The interchange would remain as a partial three-quarter interchange as connections to and from the south and west will not be made, although modifying the design could allow for these ramps to be added.

  • Current Interchange Layout
    Current Interchange Layout
  • Proposed Primary Design
    Proposed Primary Design
  • Proposed Twin Flyover Design
    Proposed Twin Flyover Design

Primary Alternative

The major components of the project include:

  • Realigning the main northbound and southbound lanes of I-35 to a center alignment maintaining 3 through lanes in each direction.
  • Construction of new southbound flyover ramps to I-35 from the I-635 mainline.
    • 3 lanes total with 2 dedicated lanes to I-35 South and one lane to I-35 North
  • Routing US 69 along I-35 and relinquishing the route designation along Metcalf Ave
  • Constructing new connector roads to and from I-635 to Metcalf Avenue
    • New slip ramps will maintain connection to Merriam Drive
    • New flyovers will connect I-35 South to Metcalf Ave and Metcalf Ave to I-35 North

Twin Flyover Alternative

A second upgrade option would maintain most of the current ramp configuration instead constructing 2 north to south centerline flyover ramps that would connect to and from I-35 towards the south in the centerline to and from I-635 to the north also in the centerline. One downside to this configuration, however, is that access to and from Merriam Drive would not be maintained to these new flyover ramps. This is a small disadvantage however since traffic needing access to Merriam Drive can use the Antioch Road exit instead. Another disadvantage to this design is that it does not eliminate the 2 left-hand exits from I-35 South or some of the tight ramp geometry that exists in the remaining unimproved ramps. Although it does address the dangerous weaving and merging area that exists on northbound I-35. The benefit however would be savings in both the cost of construction as well as disruption, since less of the interchange would need to be modified to create this new traffic pattern, and it still maintains high traffic flow to and from Metcalf Avenue to I-635 and to and from I-35 to the south, addressing the projects main 2 objectives.

Purpose and Need

The tight ramps at the interchange create choke points for travelers along segments of I-35 and I-635 approaching the interchange. Through traffic is less affected, however when traffic from ramps backs up to the interstate, it causes traffic jams and increases the probability of rear end collisions, especially during peak commute periods. Upgrading the interchange would facilitate better traffic movements between I-35 to and from the south to I-635 by making these main ramps larger and more direct and would still maintain the direct access from I-635 to Metcalf Avenue. These traffic movements make up the 2 highest volumes that pass through the intersection. Additionally, Traffic movements to Metcalf Ave both to and from I-35 to the north would improve for local and regional traffic in Mission, North Overland Park, Prairie Village and other nearby communities that use Metcalf Avenue to access downtown Kansas City via I-35. These upgrades would reduce the likelihood of slowdowns and eliminate the dangerous merges and left exits that exist currently, moving exiting traffic to the right.

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