Turner Diagonal Freeway
The Turner Diagonal Freeway runs southeast from State Avenue (old U.S. 24) at Victory Hills in Kansas City to the bridge taking K-32 over the Kansas River into the Santa Fe area. No longer a limited access highway, the Turner Diagonal was originally part of U.S. 40 between State Avenue and Kaw Drive (K-32), and K-132 from U.S. 40 across the Turner Memorial Bridge. U.S. 40 was relocated from Turner Diagonal north of I-70 in 2008 and K-132 subsequently replaced with a realignment of K-32.
U.S. 40 following the Turner Diagonal Freeway in 1972
Multiple construction projects removed grade separations and added traffic lights along the Turner Diagonal Freeway. The north end at State Avenue was converted from an interchange to an intersection with College Parkway. The trumpet interchange and ramps linking the freeway with the Kansas Turnpike were removed and the half cloverleaf at I-70 replaced with a DDI that opened on September 8, 2020.
The overpass and right in right out (RIRO) ramps for Riverview Avenue were demolished and replaced with a signalized intersection in 2017. The parclo B2 interchange with 59th Street Lane was also replaced with a signalized intersection.
East
Part of U.S. 40 until 2008, the Turner Diagonal Freeway branches southeast from State Avenue at College Parkway. Since removed, an interchange previously joined State Avenue (old U.S. 24). with the freeway.
10/30/16
The original trumpet interchange linking the Turner Diagonal south with I-70/U.S. 24-40 east was removed to open 300 acres for private development.1 A signalized intersection was added by 2021 with Orville Avenue east and Tauromee Avenue west in place of the exchange.
10/30/16
The previous entrance ramp for I-70/U.S. 24-40 (Kansas Turnpike) east from the Turner Diagonal Freeway eastbound.
10/30/16
A diverging diamond interchange replaced the ramp system with Interstate 70. Funded through a $13 million federal grant, the new exchange opened to traffic on September 8, 2020.1
10/30/16
The Turner Diagonal Freeway east at I-70 (Kansas Turnpike) when it was still part of U.S. 40.
10/31/03
Interstate 70 (Kansas Turnpike) west from the Turner Diagonal Freeway prior to the Turner Diagonal Interchange Reconfiguration project.
10/30/16
KDOT awarded a $7 million grant to replace the parclo A2 interchange on the Turner Diagonal Freeway at Riverview Avenue with a signalized intersection in 2016 to accommodate an Amazon fulfillment center built on an adjacent 130 acre agricultural property.2
10/30/16
Construction removing the overpass for Riverview Avenue and building the at-grade intersection with the Turner Diagonal ran from September 14, 2016 to May 2017.3
10/30/16
A folded diamond interchange remains along the Turner Diagonal Freeway with 65th Street.
10/30/16
65th Street spans the Turner Diagonal on a bridge built in 1958.
10/30/16
U.S. 40 followed the Turner Diagonal Freeway east to Kaw Drive, which took the route and K-32 northward to Interstate 70 at N 57th Street.
10/30/16
A left exit departs for Kaw Drive east along the Kansas River. K-32 overtakes the Turner Diagonal Freeway southeast into the Santa Fe area of Kansas City.
10/30/16
References:
- "Ribbon cut for new Turner Diagonal interchange." Wyandotte Daily, October 28, 2020.
- "Turner industrial site finally finds development." NorthPoint Development, March 30, 2016.
- "Eastbound I-70 to Southbound Turner Diagonal Freeway Exit Ramp 24/7 LONG-TERM CLOSURE." Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), news release. September 20, 2016.
Photo Credits:
- Alex Nitzman, Richie Kennedy: 10/30/16
- Justin Cozart: 10/31/03
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Page Updated Monday October 25, 2021.