I-235

About I-235

Interstate 235 is a three-digit auxiliary route of Interstate 35, with an odd prefix digit marking it as a spur or connector. The number is reused in three Plains states. In Iowa, Interstate 235 is an urban route of roughly fourteen miles that loops off Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 to carry traffic through the heart of the Des Moines metropolitan area and past downtown Des Moines, running between West Des Moines and Ankeny.

In Kansas, Interstate 235 is a north-south route of about sixteen miles forming a partial bypass through the western part of Wichita, branching from and rejoining Interstate 35, which in that area is the Kansas Turnpike. In Oklahoma, Interstate 235 is a short route of a few miles that connects Interstate 35 north of downtown Oklahoma City into the downtown and north central areas, running concurrently with a U.S. highway.

Each instance acts as a connector or partial bypass bringing Interstate 35 traffic into or around a state capital region.

History

The Wichita route was among the first Interstate components built in that city, with most of its length constructed around 1960 to 1962. The Des Moines route was built through the urban core to carry the main flow of metropolitan traffic and has since undergone major reconstruction. The Oklahoma City route was developed to provide a direct downtown connection from Interstate 35.

Major cities and places

Did you know

• The Des Moines route carries metropolitan traffic past downtown.
• The Wichita route ties into the Kansas Turnpike portion of Interstate 35.
• The Oklahoma City route provides a downtown connection.
• Three state capital regions reuse the same number.