News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Run for the Wall riders to stop at Topeka service area
May 20, 2022
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka service area (I-70/KTA mile marker 188) will host hundreds of motorcyclists traveling through Kansas from Ontario, CA to Washington D.C. for the annual Run for the Wall event. Riders will stop at the Topeka service area Monday, May 23, 2022 around 8:45 a.m. where they will be welcomed by the Kansas Turnpike Authority, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas ABATE chapter and the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs.
Run for the Wall recognizes the sacrifices and contributions made by veterans who have served our nation. The ride is designed to promote healing among veterans, their families and friends; to call for an accounting of all prisoners of war and those missing in action; to honor the memory of those killed in all wars; and support military personnel all over the world.
KTA and KDOT employees will be in attendance to greet riders. KTA is donating $500 of fuel to the riders and EZ-Go, the Topeka Service Area convenience store, is donating water.
The ride began May 18 in Ontario, CA. Topeka’s route is one of three different routes that will meet in Arlington, VA and conclude at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington D.C. on May 28.
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KTA announces winner for Work Zone Awareness Week
Apr 11, 2022
WICHITA, Kan. — Natalie Ellenberger of Central Christian Academy in Wichita is the winner of the Kansas Turnpike Authority’s seventh annual design contest. This contest celebrates National Work Zone Awareness Week and encourages teen drivers to be aware of safe driving behaviors through work zones.
National Work Zone Awareness Week is a safety campaign held each spring highlighting the need for safe, attentive driving through work zones to prevent injuries and fatalities for workers and motorists.
“Natalie’s design highlights a really essential message of staying alert in work zones to keep workers safe,” said Rachel Bell, KTA’s Director of Business Services & Customer Relations. “Distracted driving, especially in work zones, is becoming too common which is why finding creative and engaging ways to instill safe driving habits is so important to us.”
Contestants submitted a ¾ page advertisement focused on work zone safety. Natalie’s work will be published in VYPE Magazine and KTA’s monthly newsletter, Turnpike Times. View Natalie’s work, as well as the other finalists, at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzKdfa.
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Contracts awarded on upcoming Turnpike projects
Apr 5, 2022
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on three upcoming Turnpike projects.
Contract 7803 for construction of four sets of cashless toll zones along I-70/KTA, to be used when KTA moves to cashless tolling in 2024, was awarded to Bettis Asphalt & Construction, Inc., Topeka, KS, for the bid amount of $9,992,345.92. Work can begin in April with a scheduled completion of October 2023, weather permitting.
Contract 7897 for rehabilitation of north and south mainline bridges at MM 26.815, over the Ninnescah River, was awarded to A.M. Cohron & Sons, Inc., Atlantic, IA, for the bid amount of $2,030,925.50. Work can begin in June with a scheduled completion of September 2023, weather permitting.
Contract 7900 to raise two bridges on state route K-99 that cross over I-335/KTA at MM 132.992 and MM 134.893, including guardrail, bridge pier protection, slope improvements, and bridge rehabilitation, was awarded to Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc., Kansas City, MO, for an amount not to exceed $4,813,160. Work is expected to take place in 2023.
Construction details will be available closer to the start dates on http://www.ksturnpike.com with updates on this and other projects published monthly in KTA’s electronic newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter using the form at www.ksturnpike.com/communication.
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Contracts awarded on upcoming Turnpike projects
Mar 1, 2022
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on two upcoming Turnpike projects.
Contract 7800 to remove an overhead KTA bridge at mile marker 55.507, and construct improvements on Main Street in Andover, KS, was awarded to Dondlinger & Sons Construction Co., Wichita, KS, for $370,069.90.
Contract 7883 for bridge and pavement repair at mile marker 187.88 was awarded to PCI Roads, St. Michael, MN, for the bid amount of $98,006.49.
Construction details will be available closer to the start dates on http://www.ksturnpike.com with updates on this and other projects published monthly in KTA’s electronic newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter using the form at www.ksturnpike.com/communication.
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Cashless tolling vendor selected
Feb 23, 2022
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority has selected TransCore, Nashville, TN, as the vendor for the new roadside toll collection program for its conversion to cashless tolling in 2024.
“This is a very significant milestone,” said KTA’s Director of Information Technology and Cashless Tolling Project Manager, Bruce Meisch. “KTA has a long, established history with tolling, but that also means our system is aging. A new roadside toll collection program is the next step to move forward with our conversion.”
TransCore will be providing equipment and services that will allow KTA to collect tolls via compatible electronic transponders or vehicle license plates.
“TransCore has provided leading transportation products and solutions for more than 80 years, and brings a proven track record of helping toll agencies successfully modernize their toll systems,” said Jon Cloutier, Vice President. “TransCore is excited to continue supporting our long-term partner, the Kansas Turnpike Authority, on this important modernization project.”
Work began last week between KTA and TransCore with Nick Parrott, KTA Assistant Director of Technology and Jon Cloutier from Transcore, leading the roadside toll collection’s implementation.
