K-33 (Kansas highway)

I-35 exit for K-33

K-33's southern terminus is at an intersection with K-68 east of Ottawa in Franklin County. It starts travelling north on a two-lane road through rolling plains. After approximately 1.6 miles (2.6 km) the highway crosses Hickory Creek. K-33 continues roughly 2.4 miles (3.9 km) then the route curves to the east momentarily before curving back to the north. The highway continues north for 2.6 miles (4.2 km) then reaches a diamond interchange with I-35 and US-50 at exit 198. North of this interchange, K-33 enters the city of Wellsville as Poplar Street. It continues north through the city and soon crosses over a BNSF Railway track.[3] Continuing north, K-33 leaves the city at 1st Street.[4] The highway soon crosses an unnamed tributary of Rock Creek then enters into Douglas County roughly 0.7 miles (1.1 km) later.[5] The highway continues through a mix of farmland and scattered areas of trees for about two miles (3.2 km) and reaches its northern terminus at US-56 east of Baldwin City.[6][7]

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) tracks the traffic levels on its highways, and in 2019, they determined that on average the traffic varied from 1,570 vehicles per day near the southern terminus to 5,130 vehicles per day between I-35/US-50 and Wellsville. The second highest was 2,610 vehicles per day slightly south of I-35 and US-50.[8] K-33 is not included in the National Highway System, which is a system of highways important to the nation's defense, economy, and mobility. K-33 does connect to the National Highway System at I-35 and US-50 as well as at its northern terminus.[9][10]

Prior to the formation of the Kansas state highway system, there were auto trails, which were an informal network of marked routes that existed in the United States and Canada in the early part of the 20th century. The majority of K-33's route closely follows the former New Santa Fe Trail, King of Trails and Ozark Trails.[11]

K-33 was first designated a state highway in 1926, and at that time went from US-75 and US-250 by Waverly northeastward to Ottawa then east to the Missouri border.[2] By 1927, US-250 was renumbered US-50S and K-33 was realigned to travel north to Wellsville, then northeastward to US-50 in Edgerton.[12][13] By 1928, K-33 was realigned to intersect K-31 east of Waverly then follow the latter west to US-50S.[14] By 1934, US-50S was realigned to follow K-33 from west of Waverly to Ottawa and K-68 was extended west on the old US-50S alignment from Ottawa to US-75 by Lyndon. Also at this time, the northern terminus of K-33 was realigned to end at US-50 west of Edgerton.[15][16] By 1936, K-33 was truncated to end at US-50S and US-73 in Ottawa.[16][17] On June 27, 1956, the AASHO Route Numbering Committee approved US-56 to be created. US-56 was routed over US-50 from Kansas City westward to US-59 then followed US-50N, which was eliminated. Also at this time US-50S was renumbered to US-50.[18] By 1963, the section of I-35 from Ottawa to Kansas City was built and US-50 had been realigned to overlap I-35.[19] By 1969, the overlap with K-68 was eliminated and K-33 was truncated to its current southern terminus.[20][21]

• Kansas Highways Routelog – K-33