News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Reconstruction of toll plaza begins September 17
Sep 14, 2018
WELLINGTON, Kan. – A project to convert the Southern Terminal Toll Plaza located in Sumner county at mile marker 16.5 I-35/KTA to open road tolling will begin with the reconstruction (and temporary closing of) the 30th Street South Bridge over the Turnpike on September 17, 2018.
Construction will involve building new northbound cash lanes east of the existing lanes and new highway speed electronic lanes for both north and southbound traffic. Included in the project is reconstruction of two bridges crossing I-35/KTA – the 30th Street South Bridge (mile marker 17) followed by the 40th Street South Bridge (mile marker 16).
The Turnpike will be using Smart Work Zone technology to provide advanced notice of slowed or stopped traffic to travelers approaching the construction zone. The speed limit approaching the project will be reduced to 55 mph with further reductions, as posted, through the toll plaza itself. Drivers are encouraged to stay alert and avoid distractions within the work zone.
Open road tolling is a method of toll collection which allows electronic customers who have K-TAGs or other compatible transponders to move through the toll plaza at highway speeds. Travelers who prefer to pay with cash can slow and pull to the right, well out of way of highway traffic. (View a video simulation here.)
The project contract was awarded to Venture Corporation, Great Bend, KS for $15,265,817.43 in August 2018. This is the third of three mainline toll plazas being converted to open road tolling. Eastern Terminal, just west of Kansas City, was completed in 2017 and construction of the East Topeka toll plaza is scheduled for completion later this fall.
To stay up-to-date on the project and future travel impacts, drivers are urged to check KanDrive at http://www.kandrive.org, subscribe to KTA Alerts for roadway incident information at http://bit.ly/KHeX6g, follow the Kansas Turnpike on Twitter, and watch for information on KTA’s digital message boards. Construction updates on this and other projects are published monthly in KTA’s electronic newsletter. Sign up here: http://bit.ly/1rfcIVx
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KTA awards Southern Terminal contract in August
Sep 7, 2018
WELLINGTON, Kan. – The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces a bid has been approved and a contract awarded on an upcoming Turnpike construction project.
Contract #7290 – Construction of open road tolling lanes at the existing Southern Terminal Toll Plaza (Sumner County) located at mile marker 17 I-35/KTA was awarded to Venture Corporation, Great Bend, KS for $15,265,817.43.
This project is the third of three mainline toll plazas being converted to open road tolling as identified in the 2015 Long Term Needs Study. Construction will begin September 17, 2018, with the new highway speed lanes scheduled to open mid-November 2019 and final completion in March 2020.
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 here: http://bit.ly/2l4h37y
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Media invited to Kansas Winter Expo
Aug 31, 2018
The Kansas Turnpike Authority promotes ongoing education in the transportation field by hosting its fourth Kansas Winter Expo for transportation and maintenance workers on September 5-6 in Topeka.
WHAT: Opportunity for public and media to attend the Kansas Winter Expo
WHEN: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., September 5, 2018
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., September 6, 2017WHERE: Kansas Expocentre, Topeka
The event offers various safety presentations—from a popular truck roadeo and an official flagger certification on Wednesday to a career fair on Thursday. See the complete event schedule at www.kansaswinterexpo.com.
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Kansas Winter Expo to provide education opportunity for roadway maintenance crews
Aug 16, 2018
TOPEKA, Kan.— Cities, counties and other entities are encouraged to send employees to the Kansas Winter Expo, hosted by the Kansas Turnpike Authority. The expo will be Sept. 5-6, 2018, at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka.
The Kansas Winter Expo provides those involved in roadway safety and maintenance an opportunity to learn about the latest equipment and best practices in the field. Sponsors can showcase new equipment, demonstrate its operation and discuss solid safety practices, which can be used year-round.
“Thanks to our sponsors, this is an affordable Kansas event that offers a lot of value for attendees,” said Eric Becker, KTA’s Roadway Operations Director. “The event will have a variety of classes on related topics, a truck roadeo, flagger certification and a career fair. There’s something for everyone.”
Registration is $20 and optional events have a small cost associated with them. Those interested can learn more and sign up to attend on the Kansas Winter Expo website.
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Update on traffic changes near East Topeka toll plaza
Aug 6, 2018
TOPEKA, Kan. – Progression of construction near the East Topeka toll plaza (I-70/KTA, mile marker 183) will result in two traffic changes within the next week, weather and schedule permitting.
- On Wednesday, August 8 (mid-day), the southbound K-4 ramp connecting to eastbound I-70 will reopen.
- On Monday, August 13th (mid-day), the eastbound I-70/KTA bridge connecting the toll plaza to eastbound I-70/KTA will be restricted to one lane until late August. Traffic leaving the toll area will be required to merge into a single eastbound lane. Drivers may consider using the South Topeka turnpike entrance to avoid congestion during this phase of construction.
The construction project, anticipated to be complete in November, will convert the toll plaza to open road tolling allowing electronic customers (those with a K-TAG or compatible transponder) to move through the middle of the toll area at highway speeds. Travelers who prefer to pay with cash will be able to slow and pull to the right, well out of way of highway traffic. See how open road tolling works.
Motorists are urged to check for traffic impacts at www.KanDrive.org, subscribe to KTA Alerts for roadway incident information http://bit.ly/KHeX6g, follow the Kansas Turnpike on Twitter, and watch for information on KTA’s digital message signs. 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.
