News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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RFP announced for four Kansas Turnpike service areas
Aug 18, 2022
WICHITA, Kan. — The Kansas Turnpike Authority requests proposals from qualified quick service restaurant vendors for four of its service areas along the 236-mile roadway. These locations include:
- Towanda, Mile Marker 65 on I-35/KTA
- Matfield Green, Mile Marker 97 on I-35/KTA
- Emporia, Mile Marker 132 on I-335/KTA
- Topeka, Mile Marker 188 on I-70/KTA
Quick service restaurant providers can find the full Request for Proposal on the Business Opportunities page of the KTA web site.
KTA anticipates the selected vendor(s) to begin operation of their respective locations on April 15, 2023. Communication will be delivered during the transition period to travelers regarding the availability of these services. Convenience stores will continue to be operational 24 hours by their current third-party vendors.
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KTA encourages teen driver safety with video contest
Aug 8, 2022
Wichita, Kan. — The Kansas Turnpike Authority encourages teen driver safety with its seventh annual “Put the Brakes on Fatalities” video contest for Kansas students in grades 8-12.
This contest is held in conjunction with Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, October 10, to help raise awareness about safe driving habits.
The entry deadline is Sunday, September 25 at 11:59 p.m. CST. There will be three winners. Entries must follow specific criteria:
- Video must promote fatality prevention using themes such as (but not limited to): distracted driving, seatbelts, speeding, texting while driving, etc.
- Video must be between six (0:06) and sixty (0:60) seconds in length
- Don’t break any laws while filming
- Entries must be made public for judging
Those interested in the contest can view details and enter at www.ksturnpike.com/contests.
“We have seen an increase in distracted driving and aggressive driving behaviors and incidents over the last year,” said John Lehnherr, KHP Troop G Captain. “This contest is a great way to bring awareness to the consequences of distracted driving, speeding and improper seatbelt use to teens during their formative driving years.”
In addition to KTA’s video contest, the Kansas Department of Transportation holds a poster art contest for Kansas kids ages five through 13. Learn more about the contest and other Kansas awareness campaign activities here: https://www.ksdot.org/events/PutTheBrakesOnFatalitiesDay/.
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Editor’s’ Note: view the 2021 winning videos here.
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Contracts awarded on upcoming Turnpike projects
Aug 4, 2022
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on two upcoming Turnpike projects.
Contract 7875 for construction of three sets of cashless toll zones along I-335/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 $4,205,172.49. Work is scheduled be completed in October 2023, weather permitting.
Contract 7911 for painting four bridges at mile marker 99.960 north and south and mile marker 101.380 north and south in Chase County was awarded to Linder Painting, Inc., Lincoln, NB, for the bid amount of $489,000. Bridge painting is a preservation effort to keep the steel in good condition. Work is scheduled to be completed by October 2023, weather permitting.
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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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.
