News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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KTA announces new strategic plan: DRIVING CHANGE 2025
Jan 8, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority has announced a new strategic plan DRIVING CHANGE 2025 that will guide the organization’s ability to provide Kansas transportation solutions.
“KTA is a customer-driven organization with a clear vision for the future,” said KTA CEO Steve Hewitt. “We are excited about the role the Turnpike plays in the state economy and want to position the organization for future partnership projects.”
DRIVING CHANGE 2025 supports organizational goals with four strategic initiatives, including a concentrated move toward cashless tolling and nationwide compatibility.
“Our customers and employees are changing. Nearly 65 percent of travelers use an electronic transponder and the majority of our workforce is nearing retirement age,” Hewitt said. “KTA has focused on modernization for the past five years, removing gates and adding highway speed electronic lanes. We must continue this effort in order to maintain KTA’s strong position as a safe, reliable and customer-valued turnpike system.”
Travelers will experience construction on the roadway due to ongoing projects outlined in KTA’s 2015 Long Term Needs Study. Much of the work associated with the four strategic initiatives will be behind-the-scenes. Additional information about KTA is available on its website. To learn more or engage, connect with KTA on social media.
EDITOR’S NOTE: View a video message from KTA CEO Steve Hewitt regarding KTA’s Strategic Plan and conversion to cashless tolling: https://youtu.be/n21nFufGeB8
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Contracts awarded on three spring construction projects
Jan 3, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on three upcoming Turnpike construction projects. Work on the projects will begin in March 2020, weather permitting.
Contract #7527 – Pavement surfacing on I-35/KTA MM 70.8 to MM 96.3, ramp improvements and parking lot surfacing was awarded to Cornejo & Sons LLC, Wichita, KS, for the bid amount of $17,299,617.26.
Contract #7530 – Two year project for ramp and bridge improvements at the Belle Plaine service area at MM 26 on I-35/KTA was awarded to Dondlinger & Sons Construction Company, Inc., Wichita, KS, for the bid amount of $5,964,619.57
Contract #7532 – Two year project to redeck and widen mainline bridges at MM 55.917, north and southbound, on I-35/KTA was awarded to A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., Atlantic, IA, for the bid amount of $3,287,327.73.
Construction details will be available closer to the start date on http://www.ksturnpike.com with impacts to traffic posted on http://www.kandrive.org/. Construction updates on this and other projects are published monthly in KTA’s electronic newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter using the form located at the bottom of any page on www.ksturnpike.com.
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KTA announces recent retirements, new hires and promotions
Dec 31, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— KTA has recently said goodbye to seven employees who retired from the Kansas Turnpike Authority:
- Mark Lee (Bonner Springs), 20 years of service
- William “Tom” Stallings (Eudora), 29 years of service
- Robert Bowling (Wichita), 38 years of service
- Tim Love (Burlingame), 28 years of service
- Patrick O’Bryon (Lawrence), 25 years of service
- Dena Smoot (Atlanta), five years of service
- Joseph Bott (Wichita), 35 years of service
- Kathy Bowne (Emporia), 19 years of service
- Robert Dunn (Wichita), 20 years of service
KTA has also recently hired four individuals at the Wichita headquarters:
- Katie Miller (Wichita), Communications Specialist
- Aubrey Unruh (Newton), Audit Clerk
- Jeanette Ruiz (Wichita), K-TAG Customer Service Representative
- Keeley Taylor (Wichita), Incident Management Specialist
Two KTA employees have recently been promoted in the organization:
- Dallas Lane (Reading), promoted to Admire Highway Maintenance Foreman
- Richard Woodward (Hoyt), promoted to Toll Maintenance Manager
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Highway speed electronic lanes to open near Oklahoma border
Dec 9, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— Beginning December 10, Southern Terminal, the newly converted Kanas Turnpike toll plaza near the Oklahoma border (I-35/KTA mile marker 17) will be fully operational. Travelers can expect the traffic conversion to take place in the late afternoon, weather permitting.
Southbound drivers traveling through the area should expect the following changes:
- Electronic users continue traveling at highway speeds through the toll area.
- Cash travelers exit right to toll plaza for payment.
Since August, northbound (entry) traffic has already experienced highway speed lanes with electronic customers (those with K-TAG or compatible toll device) staying on the roadway and cash travelers exiting right to receive their entry ticket.
KTA reminds drivers to not stop in the electronic lanes. Drivers that forget their ticket at Southern Terminal toll plaza can let the collector know when exiting (or press the help button on a self-pay machine). Drivers that forgot to pay at the plaza will receive a mailed statement at a higher video enforced rate. Learn about KTA’s toll structure and their electronic toll collection program, which provides the lowest toll rate.
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KTA is financially stable and an asset to Kansas’ economy
Dec 5, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— As the Kansas Turnpike Authority finishes up one of the busiest construction seasons of its 2015 Long Term Needs Study, it reports a continued strong financial position and positive impact on the state’s economy.
KTA’s most recent annual report for fiscal year 2019 shows KTA’s net position increased by $45.5M and long-term debt decreased by $27.7M. The agency retained the highest bond rating for the government owned toll road sector – an Aa2 rating – from Moody’s Investors Service.
The report also reflects the KTA’s investment of $35.6M on construction projects (repair or maintenance) aimed at preserving the system’s infrastructure during fiscal year 2019.
These direct expenditures result in a spinoff effect within the larger Kansas economy according to a recent economic impact study. Data from a three-year period (2016-2018), show KTA expenditures produce a 2.2 to 1 return on investment and create 1,377 jobs, contributing $236.2M to the economy.
The study, prepared by the Economic Development Research Group, Inc., also shows 12% of the state economy (gross state product) relies on the Turnpike to help move goods.
“KTA’s strong financial foundation allows the organization to be an important partner for Kansas’ future transportation needs and to continue making customer-driven improvements to the Turnpike system,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA’s Chief Executive Officer. “By all indications, these reports indicate a bright future for the Kansas Turnpike Authority.”
Both reports can be found on KTA’s web site:
- FY2019 Annual Report: https://www.ksturnpike.com/about/annual-report
- Economic Impact Study summary: https://www.ksturnpike.com/about/strategic-direction.
