Sections of KC metro’s highways shut down as freezing drizzle leaves layer of thin ice
Several sections of highways across the Kansas City area shut down Wednesday morning as freezing drizzle coated roads with a thin layer of ice, making traffic difficult, if not treacherous.
“Roads along and north of I-70 remain ice covered,” the National Weather Service in Kansas City said on Facebook. “Bridges and elevated surfaces will be extremely slippery.
“Drive with caution if you must travel today, but the best advice is to wait until tonight/Thursday when the freezing drizzle comes to an end and surface temperatures warm above freezing.”
Missouri Department of Transportation crews were out treating the roads, the transportation department’s Kansas City District said on X, formerly Twitter. The agency asked drivers to give them plenty of room to work.
“Roadways may be slick due to freezing precipitation in the area overnight and this morning,” the transportation department said. “Please use caution as you head out on your morning commute and check traveler.modot.org.”
In a later tweet, the transportation department said that “bridges and overpasses are especially slick across the metro.”
Numerous accidents were reported as cars and trucks spun out on the ice.
Due to the inclement weather, the Overland Park Police Department activated its walk-in reporting protocol for non-injuring crashes. Drivers involved in minor crashes should exchange driver’s license and insurance information and note the vehicles involved, including license plate numbers, and the location of the crash.
Several schools districts across the metro canceled or delayed the start of classes or moved to virtual learning due to the icy roads.
Sections of Kansas City area highways that have closed as of 6:30 a.m. include:
- Missouri 291 highway at Missouri 210 highway.
- Northbound Interstate 435 at Missouri 210 highway and U.S. 24 highway.
- Eastbound Interstate 70 before U.S. 40 highway.
- Westbound Interstate 470 at Blue Ridge Boulevard.
- Eastbound Interstate 470 at U.S. 71 highway.
- Westbound Interstate 470 at Interstate 49.
- Northbound Interstate 435 before U.S. 71 highway.
- Southbound Bruce R. Watkins Parkway/U.S. 71 at 85th Street.
- Southbound Interstate 35 at Levee Road.
- Southbound U.S. 69 near Interstate 635.
- Westbound Interstate 670 at Genessee Street.
- Northbound Interstate 35 past Cambridge Circle.
Several ramps were closed in Johnson County as well, including westbound Interstate 435 to southbound Interstate 35, northbound U.S. 69 to eastbound Interstate 435 and southbound U.S. 69 to Interstate 435.
Kansas City Scout reported that icy roads and traffic crashes were still impacting the morning commute shortly before 9 a.m. Highway speeds dropped below 30 mph in some areas. Routes leading into downtown Kansas City were among those impacted.
This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published February 5, 2025 at 6:53 AM.
