News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Contracts awarded on upcoming construction projects
Aug 2, 2019
WICHITA, Kan. – The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids approved and contracts awarded on two upcoming Turnpike construction projects.
Contract #7579 – Painting six bridges, to protect and preserve their structural steel, located between mile markers 3 and 21 on I-35/KTA in Sumner county was awarded to Linder Painting, Inc., Lincoln, NB for $208,290.00. Details will be available closer to the start date.
Contract #7526 – A project for concrete pavement repairs on port of entry (weigh station) ramps at mile marker 1.7 northbound I-35/KTA in Sumner County was awarded to Vogts Parga Construction, LLC., Newton, KS, for $112,249.03. Work is expected to begin in August and be completed mid-November, weather permitting.
Details will be available closer to the start dates on www.ksturnpike.com with impacts to traffic posted on 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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Improvements near Emporia set to begin August 1
Jul 26, 2019
EMPORIA, Kan. – A two-year project for various improvements in Chase and Lyon counties on I-35/KTA and I-335/KTA is set to begin August 1, 2019, weather permitting. Construction includes:
- Pavement mill and inlay (mile marker 112.3-133.2);
- Replacing expansion joins on northbound and southbound bridges at the Cottonwood River (mile markers 124.68 and 125.22);
- Ramp and parking improvements at the Emporia service area (mile marker 132);
- Drainage improvements (mile marker 132.2).
Construction for 2019 includes work on the southbound bridges and paving from mile markers 112.3 to the bridges. This work is expected to be complete in late November, weather permitting. In 2020, construction will take place on the northbound bridges in addition to the drainage improvements and Emporia service area work. Paving the bridges through mile marker 132.2 will complete the project.
In late-August, all traffic will begin using the northbound lanes of I-35/KTA at the river bridges, where there will be a single, 12-foot lane of traffic in each direction. Single lane closures will also be in place, south of the river bridges, to accommodate paving. Speed will be reduced to 65 mph through the construction zone.
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.
This contract was awarded to Cornjeo & Sons, LLC., Wichita, KS, for $15,309,973.20 in June 2019.
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Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Turner Diagonal Project
Jul 25, 2019
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be released on Thursday, July 25, 2019 for the Turner Diagonal and I-70 Interchange Design-Build Project by the Kansas Turnpike Authority. The I-70 and Turner Diagonal project is comprised of the Turner Diagonal interchange with I-70, the adjacent truck staging areas, and associated improvements along both I-70 and Turner Diagonal in Wyandotte County.
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KTA, Governor and partners announce new “fast charging” electric vehicle stations at three service areas
Jul 18, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority in partnership with Westar Energy and KCP&L have come together to announce new electric vehicle charging stations along the Kansas Turnpike. The “Fast Charging” technology, strategically located along the Turnpike, will allow Kansans and visitors to travel throughout the state while helping to eliminate “range anxiety” or the fear an electric car battery will run out of power before the destination.
“Electric vehicle charging stations are something we’ve been asked about by customers,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA’s Chief Executive Officer. “We’re excited to make this request a reality for our electric vehicle customers.”
Located at the Towanda (MM 65 I-35/KTA), Topeka (MM 188 I-70/KTA) and Lawrence (MM 209 I-70/KTA) service areas, each location will include two DC Fast charging stations and one Level 2 station. Typically, a DC Fast charging station can fully charge most electric vehicles in under 30 minutes.
“Charging stations along the Kansas Turnpike let electric vehicle drivers know Kansas welcomes and appreciates them,” said Terry Bassham, president and CEO, for Westar Energy and KCP&L. “Westar and KCP&L are glad to partner with KTA to make charging in the region more prevalent and convenient for EV drivers.”
The new stations join Westar and KCP&L’s already established network of EV charging stations, which currently includes more than 2,200 charging ports, making for one of the largest electric vehicle charging station networks in the country. Manufactured by ChargePoint, the stations also allow drivers to tap into ChargePoint’s nationwide network of charging stations.
The electric vehicle charging stations are open and ready to be used by travelers using electric vehicles at the three service areas.
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Director of Engineering receives statewide recognition
Jun 28, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— David Jacobson, Kansas Turnpike Authority’s Director of Engineering, has been named the 2019 Engineer of the Year by the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers. This award recognizes an engineer’s outstanding contributions to their profession and community.
Jacobson was selected for the award based on his work leading KTA’s decade-long improvement plan focused on modernizing and preserving the system, while enhancing safety, efficiency and the customer travel experience.
“I’m truly very honored by this recognition,” said Jacobson. “Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with many internal and external partners. This award is due to them and the great relationships we’ve developed.”
KTA modernization and preservation efforts, led by Jacobson, include highway speed electronic lanes, increased vertical bridge clearance, bridge rehabilitation and various guardrail improvements.
“Our organization has greatly benefited from David’s leadership and engineering expertise,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA’s Chief Executive Officer. “He stands at the helm of our modernization efforts and is instrumental in our work to transform tolling in Kansas.”
At KTA, Jacobson leads a team of office and field personnel and other professional engineers. Within Kansas, Jacobson has held and continues to hold multiple leadership roles, including Board Secretary of the Engineers’ Foundation of Kansas.
Jacobson was honored at the 2019 KSPE Annual Conference earlier this month.
