Crash on I-35 Northbound Near 63rd Street Snarls Morning Commute in South Kansas City
It was just after 9:30 a.m. Thursday when drivers heading north on Interstate 35 near the 63rd Street exit found themselves suddenly stopped in a growing line of brake lights. The crash unfolded just south of the Brookside neighborhood, where the highway runs close to the historic Red Bridge area. For those commuting from neighborhoods like Waldo or the southern stretches of Midtown, the jam quickly became more than a delay—it was a major disruption to their morning routine.
Three lanes of the northbound I-35 were blocked for over an hour after a multi-vehicle crash involving several cars. Tow trucks arrived promptly, but the extent of the damage meant all lanes remained closed well beyond the initial response. Traffic backed up for miles, stretching past 75th Street and creating gridlock that spilled onto local streets like Blue Ridge Boulevard and Gregory Boulevard.
What Happened on I-35 This Morning
At approximately 9:30 a.m., multiple vehicles collided in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 near the 63rd Street exit. Emergency responders confirmed there were no major injuries, but the crash was severe enough to close three lanes of traffic. The closure lasted at least an hour as multiple tow trucks worked to clear the wreckage.
The crash caused significant backups extending several miles, impacting key routes used by residents of South Kansas City neighborhoods such as Brookside and Waldo. Drivers reported slow movement along Blue Parkway and through the nearby Longfellow neighborhood as they sought alternate routes.
Why This Crash Matters to You
If your household depends on the I-35 corridor for daily travel, this incident is a stark reminder of how quickly your commute can turn into a stressful ordeal. The closure of three lanes for over an hour means lost time—time that can cost you at work, delay appointments, or even affect childcare arrangements.
Traffic backups stretching miles increase the risk of secondary crashes, especially on surface streets not designed for heavy detours. For families in Waldo or Brookside trying to reach schools, medical appointments, or local institutions like the Truman Medical Center, these delays can have ripple effects on schedules and safety.
Beyond time and stress, vehicle damage from multi-car crashes often leads to costly repairs. The longer lanes remain closed, the more the congestion grows, increasing the likelihood of further collisions or road rage incidents. Residents should understand that even if they avoid injury, the financial and emotional toll can be significant.
If You’re Involved in a Crash Like This: What to Do Immediately
- Stop your vehicle safely as soon as possible without blocking traffic more than necessary.
- Check yourself and passengers for injuries; call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt.
- Move vehicles out of active lanes if possible, or turn on hazard lights to warn other drivers.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers involved.
- Take photos of vehicle damage, license plates, and the crash scene for documentation.
- Speak only to police and emergency personnel about the incident; avoid admitting fault.
- Contact your insurance company promptly to report the crash and start the claims process.
When Local Professional Help Becomes Necessary
After the immediate steps, you need to recognize when professional assistance is critical. If your vehicle sustained significant damage, you must contact repair services or contractors to assess and fix structural or mechanical issues. Delaying repairs can worsen problems and increase costs.
Legal help becomes necessary if there is any dispute over fault, injury claims, or insurance coverage. Kansas City’s complex traffic laws and insurance requirements mean you should contact an experienced local lawyer if you face contested liability or serious damages.
If your home or property near the crash site is affected—such as damage from debris or emergency vehicle access—you may need contractors or planners to evaluate and repair structural concerns or to navigate city permits for repairs.
Local Context: Why Kansas City Residents Need to Stay Alert on I-35
Interstate 35 is a critical artery for Kansas City residents, connecting neighborhoods from South Kansas City through Midtown and into the downtown area. Thousands of commuters from Brookside, Waldo, and Longfellow rely on this stretch daily to reach workplaces, schools, and services like the nearby Truman Medical Center.
Incidents like Thursday’s crash disrupt not only individual schedules but also emergency response times and commercial transport routes. Residents should anticipate delays during peak hours and consider alternate routes or flexible scheduling when possible. Ignoring the risks of heavy traffic on I-35 can lead to costly accidents and extended delays that affect your household’s safety and finances.
Where This Is Happening in Kansas
The crash occurred on northbound Interstate 35 just south of the 63rd Street exit, an area bordered by the Brookside and Longfellow neighborhoods. Nearby streets affected by the resulting backup include Blue Ridge Boulevard, Gregory Boulevard, and Blue Parkway.
Brookside residents often use 63rd Street to access local shops and restaurants, while commuters from Waldo and Longfellow neighborhoods rely on I-35 to reach downtown Kansas City or institutions such as Truman Medical Center on Hospital Hill. This corridor also serves commercial traffic moving goods through the city’s southern gateways.
Given the volume and importance of this route, any crash here has immediate local consequences, forcing drivers onto smaller neighborhood streets not designed for high traffic volumes and increasing risk for all road users.
