News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Public invited to participate in KTA’s safety assessment
May 29, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority invites the public to participate in a safety assessment to evaluate and enhance safety on the Turnpike. Anyone who uses the Turnpike, whether daily or occasionally, is encouraged to share their thoughts.
“While KTA’s safety record is good, we continue to strive to do more,” said KTA’s CEO Steve Hewitt. “Input from Turnpike customers will allow us to identify possible safety concerns and better plan and prioritize safety efforts in the future.”
Safety is a long-standing priority of the KTA and is one of the goals in its five-year strategic plan, Driving Change 2025, released earlier this year. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the KTA began this initiative to evaluate and enhance safety on the Turnpike.
The survey, available here or on www.ksturnpike.com, is open until June 30.
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Contract awarded and construction begins on I-70/KTA project
May 4, 2020
TOPEKA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces KTA contract #7709 has been awarded and construction on I-70/KTA for pavement resurfacing is beginning.
The project includes pavement surfacing between mile markers 183.3 and 197.8, resurfacing the Lecompton Interchange (mile marker 197), and expanding truck parking at the Topeka Service Area (mile marker 188.) Bettis Asphalt & Construction, Inc., Topeka, KS, was awarded this contract in late April for the bid amount of $9,485,442.78. The contract is scheduled for completion in October 2021.
Resurfacing work on I-70/KTA will kick-off the project and take place during daytime hours until traffic volume increases at which time it will revert to overnight work. This phase of construction will continue into June. Drivers should expect single lane closures and uneven pavement during the resurfacing work. Speeds will be reduced to 65 mph in the construction zone.
Following I-70/KTA resurfacing, the Lecompton Interchange pavement will be overlaid at night. Expansion of truck parking at the Topeka Service area, concrete patching and shoulder sealing will be scheduled separately and will continue into 2021.
Drivers 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 and found on KTA’s construction page. Sign up to receive the newsletter using the form located at the bottom of any page on www.ksturnpike.com.
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Maize student named winner of annual design contest
Apr 21, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— Cody Harris of Maize South High School is the winner of the Kansas Turnpike Authority’s fifth 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.
“Teens are in their formative driving years, so creative, engaging ways to instill these habits early is important to us,” said Rachel Bell, KTA’s Director of Business Services & Customer Relations. “Cody did a great job creating a design that also had an important message about work zone safety with it.”
Contestants submitted a ¾ page advertisement focused on work zone safety. Cody’s work will be published in VYPE Magazine and KTA’s monthly newsletter, Turnpike Times. View Cody’s work, as well as the other finalists, at https://bit.ly/2RTle4j.
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Multiple projects to begin or resume in March
Mar 6, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— Construction season is set to begin on the Kansas Turnpike, with multiple projects starting or resuming by March 17, weather permitting. These projects, including linked additional details, and their traffic impacts include:
- Ramp and Drainage Improvements (Wellington): Project to increase drainage capacity at mile marker (MM) 19.8 on I-35/KTA and lengthen acceleration/deceleration ramps at the Wellington toll plaza. Expect single lane traffic with a 60 MPH speed reduction.
- Bridge Reconstruction and Ramp Improvements (Belle Plaine): A two-year project for a bridge reconstruction from MM 25-26 on I-35/KTA and ramp improvements at the Belle Plaine service area. Expect single lane traffic, 65 MPH speed reduction and 12-foot width restrictions.
- Bridge Raising/Elevation (Sumner, Butler and Chase Counties): Construction will resume to increase the vertical clearance on 3 remaining bridges will begin at MM 65.587 I-35/KTA. Expect single lane traffic with 12-foot width restrictions.
- Bridge Redeck and Widening (Andover): Project to redeck and widen mainline bridges at MM 55.917, north and southbound, on I-35/KTA. Expect single lane traffic, 65 MPH speed reduction and 12-foot width restrictions.
- Pavement Surfacing with Ramp Improvements (El Dorado & Cassoday): Pavement surfacing project from MM 70.8 to 96.3 on I-35/KTA with ramp improvements at the El Dorado and Cassoday interchanges. Expect single lanes near the plazas through June with daily lane closures following.
- Bridge Redeck and Rehabilitation (Chase County): Work to redeck and widen a mainline bridge will resume at MM 99.96 on I-35/KTA . Expect single lane traffic, 65 MPH speed reduction and 12-foot width restrictions.
- Bridge, Drainage & Paving (Emporia): The second half of a two-year project will resume with bridge work at MM 124.68 & MM 125.22 and drainage and ramp improvements on I-335/KTA at the Emporia service area. Expect single lane traffic, 65 MPH speed reduction and 12-foot width restrictions.
- Bridge Redeck and Widening (Admire): Project to redeck and widen mainline bridges at MM 143.1, north and southbound, on I-335/KTA. Expect single lane traffic, 65 MPH speed reduction and 12-foot width restrictions.
- Drainage Improvements (Admire): Project to increase drainage capacity at MM 151.5 and MM 153.8 on I-335/KTA. Expect single lane traffic, 65 MPH speed reduction and 12-foot width restrictions.
- Bridge Rehabilitation and Raising (K-31): Redeck and increase vertical clearance of overhead K-31 bridge at MM 155.5 over I-335/KTA. Expect periodic lane closures during the project.
Travelers can learn all about Turnpike projects planned for 2020. Additional information about each project can be found in a monthly construction update by KTA’s Director of Engineering on KTA’s construction page.
Drivers 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.
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KTA announces 2020 construction projects
Feb 20, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority has announced its 2020 construction plans along the 236-mile roadway. These plans include 10 new projects and four projects carrying over from the 2019 construction season. The combined 14 contracts are valued at more than $171 million and focus on preservation, modernization and enhancement of the Kansas Turnpike.
“While we’re modernizing our system and making enhancements, it is important for us to keep preserving our existing infrastructure,” said David Jacobson, KTA’s Director of Engineering. “We have exciting modernization projects like drainage improvements and lengthening ramps, but the preservation projects—paving, bridge re-decking and painting—allow us to maintain what we already have.”
2020 is the fifth year of construction projects identified in KTA’s 2015 Long Term Needs Study. During these five years, approximately $258.7 million has been invested on 30 completed project contracts and seven that are underway. Travelers can view a 2020 construction overview video to learn all about projects planned this year. Additional information about each project can be found on KTA’s monthly construction update.
Drivers 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.
