News Summary
Kansas City residents experienced significant traffic issues on Wednesday evening due to multiple vehicle breakdowns and crashes across key highways. Incidents occurred on eastbound I-35, northbound I-35, I-70, Kaw Drive, and U.S. Highway 71, causing major bottlenecks and delays. A tragic fatal accident was also reported, adding to the disruption experienced throughout the city. Motorists are advised to stay informed about traffic updates and drive safely amidst these challenges.
Kansas City Traffic Woes: Multiple Incidents Logged This Wednesday Evening
Kansas City residents faced some frustrating moments on the roadways this Wednesday evening, as traffic incidents popped up at various spots across the highways. It seems that broken down vehicles decided to hitch a ride on the already busy roads, causing bottlenecks and delays for many drivers. Let’s dive into the details!
Eastbound I-35 in Olathe
Starting off with a breakdown on eastbound I-35 in Olathe, a vehicle was reported stranded between the Old K-56/Exit 217 and East Santa Fe Street/Exit 218. This incident, noted at 8:17 p.m., impacted a 170-foot stretch. The mess was quickly updated at 8:23 p.m., but it’s always a hassle for those caught up in it.
Northbound I-35: Multiple Issues
Northbound I-35 was particularly troublesome. A vehicle broke down from North Chouteau Trafficway/Exit 9 to Brighton Avenue/Exit 10 around 6:37 p.m., affecting a 150-foot area. An update followed just a few minutes later at 6:51 p.m.. In addition, another breakdown was reported between Southwest Trafficway/Exit 1A and 27th Street/Exit 1B, impacting a longer 220-foot section. Timing here was around 3:24 p.m. to 3:38 p.m.. To make matters worse, over in Mission, a broken down vehicle caused a 500-foot disruption on northbound I-35, observed at 2:40 p.m. and later updated at 2:54 p.m..
Crashes and Alerts on I-70
Things didn’t get any better on I-70 either. A crash was reported eastbound between I-35 North and US-71 South, with traffic alerts put in place at 6:26 p.m. and updates by 6:33 p.m.. Meanwhile, another vehicle broke down on eastbound I-70 from 23rd Street/Exit 4 to 27th Street/Exit 5, creating chaos for up to 550 feet. The alert here went out at 12:35 a.m. and saw an update by 1:11 a.m..
Kaw Drive and U.S. Highway 71
No one was spared on Kaw Drive, as a broken-down vehicle impacted a whopping 790 feet between exit 417 and I-70 East, reported at 5:43 p.m.. Not to be outdone, U.S. Highway 71 also saw a broken down vehicle affecting a 270-foot segment, reported at 6:14 p.m..
I-435 Jam
Drivers on I-435 were also itching to scream as multiple breakdowns plagued southbound lanes. A significant section was impacted between 87th Street/Exit 69 and Bannister Road/Exit 70, reported at 1:25 a.m.. As the evening wore on, reports streamed in regarding additional breakdowns between Gregory Boulevard/Exit 67 and 87th Street/Exit 69, affecting up to 490 feet. Various updates were released up until 10:06 p.m..
A Fatal Incident
In a more serious note, there was a tragic incident early in the day when a driver reportedly reversed direction on westbound I-70, crashing into oncoming traffic just before 12:25 a.m.. This resulted in one fatality and serious injuries to others, a sad start to the day for many.
What to Expect Ahead
While specific road incidents seem to ebb and flow, it’s important for travelers in Kansas City to stay updated on traffic statuses to manage any unexpected delays. Remember to drive safely, and if you see a broken vehicle, be sure to check your mirrors and give some space! We can only hope that this evening’s traffic jams are a one-off and that clearer roads lie ahead.
Stay tuned as the situation develops, and as always, drive safe!
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City Star: Traffic Issues in KC
- Wikipedia: Traffic
- Fox 4 KC: Traffic Frustrations
- Google Search: Kansas City Traffic Incidents
- Kansas City Star: Local News
- Google Scholar: Traffic Accidents Kansas City
- Fox 4 KC: I-70 Crash News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- Kansas City Star: Local Traffic Updates
- Google News: Kansas City Traffic Updates
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
