Turnpike News
JUNE/JULY 2008
Construction to officially begin June 16
Dignitaries from the Kansas Turnpike, local and state governments and participating construction and engineering firms gathered on May 22 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Kansas River Bridges and Plaza Improvement Project....
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A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on the levy of the Kansas
River just north of the existing bridges. The new westbound bridge
will be built at that location prior to the demolition of the existing
bridges.
The contractor for the project was also named at the groundbreaking
with an accepted bid of $113 million from Hamm Inc. of Perry,
Kan.
"We look forward to working on another successful project with
Hamm. From working with them on other projects, we know that
they share similar ideals of keeping the traffic moving and providing
customers with the best possible travel experience," said KTA
President/CEO Michael L. Johnston.
The new bridges have been designed by Finney and Turnipseed of
Topeka, who also designed several of the Turnpike's original bridges
in the early-1950s.
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Gas prices too high for long distance traveling?
Try a "local" vacation
If gas prices are putting a damper on your travel plans this summer, try taking a small "local" vacation. Visit the Travel Information Center at the Belle Plaine Service Area at milepost 26 for information about statewide attractions and events....
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You can even purchase some Kansas souvenirs from
the Belle Plaine Service Area gift shop or the Kansas
Originals Store at the Topeka Service Area as a commemorative
item from your "trip".
For other Kansas exploration ideas, visit www.travelks.
com or ask your new friends at the Travel
Information Center at the Belle Plaine Service Area for
suggestions! Here are some interesting examples:
If you're looking for nature:
Visit the scenic Flint Hills. The continent's largest
remaining tract of tallgrass is also one of America's
unique places, harboring a wealth of adventure, beauty,
and history. The region's sweeping horizons and carpets
of wildflowers captivate artists and enchant visitors.
Relish the beauty and aroma of lavendar on a family
farm on the bluffs of the Kansas River west of Topeka.
Take your camera or paints and easel and take time to
appreciate the surroundings. Open fields and tour are
available June 21 & 22 and June 28 & 29, 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. or other times by appointment. Visit
www.KansasLavendar.com for more information.
If you’re looking for art:
Visit Montezuma's Western Art "Hang-in" where all
art that comes in the door between June 6-8 is immediately
hung on the wall or placed on display. They accept
art until the space is full and then continue to display it
from June 8-29 and concludes with an Artists Reception.
For more information, visit www.stauthmemorialmuseum.
org.
Support art scholarships in McPherson by taking part
in Art In The Garden, a two-day event June 20-21,
including dinner in a secret garden, live entertainment,
garden tours with art displays by area artists and classic
or antique cars. Call 620-241-5774 for more information.
If you're looking for music:
Visit the Concordia Music Festival, August 15-16 in
the City Park. For more information, visit
www.ConcordiaMusicFestival.com.
Pick a Friday, any Friday... and visit Cottonwood
Falls for a neighborly tradition of Friday evening bluegrass,
gospel, country or rock played by whoever show
up! Visit www.emmachasecafe.com for more information. |
Anniversary of Earhart's 111th
birthday observed at festival
Atchison is observing the 111th anniversary of Amelia
Earhart's birth with the 12th annual Amelia Earhart
Festival on Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19....
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Festivities will begin with "Amelia at the Library" on
Friday afternoon and LakeFest 2008, an outdoor concert
featuring country performers Miranda Lambert, Blake
Shelton and Trent Tomlinson, held that evening.
Saturday begins with a FunRun/Walk, followed quickly
by a Breakfast with the Books and the start of many downtown
activities.
Arts and crafts booths, food vendors, live entertainment
and interactive, aviation-related activities for youth promise
to be fun for all ages again this year.
If you go, don't forget to stop by the historic home
where Earhart was born! Also on Saturday is the
"Daredevil Women" Speakers' Symposium, a panel discussion
featuring three women who have record breaking performances.
Following that will be the Pioneering
Achievement Award Luncheon honoring Tori McClure.
Call 1-800-234-1854 for reservations for the luncheon.
A presentation "The Mystery of Amelia Earhart" will
be given by author David Bowman on Saturday afternoon.
Riverfront festivities will preclude aerobatic performances
over the Missouri River on Saturday evening.
The event will wrap up with "Concert in the Sky" fireworks
show orchestrated to music.
For more information, visit the Atchison web site at
www.atchisonkansas.net or call 1-800-234-1854. Tickets
and information are also available at the Chamber of
Commerce and several banks in Atchison. |
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