News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Contract awarded on upcoming construction project
Jan 11, 2021
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces a bid has been approved and contract awarded on an upcoming Turnpike construction project.
Contract #7756 – For painting and rehabilitation of five service area water towers was awarded to Cunningham Inc., Joplin, MO for $479,800. The towers are located at the Belle Plaine (MM 26), Towanda (MM 65), Matfield Green (MM 97), Emporia (MM 132), and Lawrence (MM 209) Service Areas.
Construction details will be available closer to the start date 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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KTA maintains financial strength and customer approval as it prepares to open first cashless exit
Dec 17, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— Despite challenges related to the ongoing pandemic, the Kansas Turnpike Authority has maintained its solid financial position, customer feedback remains positive and operational plans are moving forward as scheduled.
“This year has been extremely challenging yet still productive.” said Steve Hewitt, KTA’s CEO. “We remained committed to projects that, in addition to improving the Turnpike system, inject much-needed investment into the economy.”
KTA’s most recent annual report for fiscal year 2020 reveals the agency met its financial goals. Net position increased by $28.8M and long-term debt decreased by $10.7M. KTA also maintained the highest bond rating possible for a toll authority – Aa2 with a Stable Outlook – from Moody’s Investors Service.
Results from KTA’s annual customer satisfaction survey show 78% of customers are very or completely satisfied with the value they receive for the tolls paid. The survey also affirms KTA’s direction to modernize its system, with the majority of travelers supporting increased compatibility with other tolling systems, removal of toll booths and expansion to accommodate additional traffic.
At the start of 2020, KTA announced plans to convert to a cashless system. Conversion efforts continued during the pandemic and will be evident when KTA’s first cashless exit opens in East Wichita in the coming weeks. The new exit ramp will allow southbound I-35/KTA drivers to move seamlessly onto westbound Kellogg without stopping. Those with a K-TAG, or other compatible transponder, will be charged the lowest toll rate as normal. Customers usually paying at a toll booth will be able to go online to pay their toll. Learn how toll collection at this exit will work.
“We’re looking forward to opening the state’s first cashless exit in the new year,” Hewitt said. “It will provide a seamless travel experience and lay the groundwork for KTA becoming a cashless system.”
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Winners of Safety Message Contest announced
Dec 15, 2020
WICHITA, Kan. — The winners of the Kansas Turnpike Authority’s first annual safety message contest have been selected. This contest raised awareness about safe driving habits not only for new teen drivers, but also adults.
Adult division winners:
1. Heidi Gowen, Lawrence: Buzzed is for / haircuts, not / highways
2. Owen Bolan, Wichita area: Rudolph Alert / spotted nearby / Be alert!!!
3. Jennifer Sumrell, Wichita: Leave flying / to Rudolph / Slow downYouth division winners:
1. Grace Jowers, Topeka: Santa wears a / belt, so should / you. Buckle up
2. Rylee Hoffer, Topeka: Holiday cheers / should never / bring tears
3. Seth Madron, McPherson: Alcohol / will make / you stall“Regardless of how your travel patterns may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, KTA still wants to reinforce safe driving habits,” said Rachel Bell, KTA Director of Business Services & Customer Relations. “We want you to buckle up, not drive impaired or distracted and to always keep safety as a priority.”
Participants submitted a three-line message focused on safe driving habits. The winners of the Youth division will be published in VYPE Magazine and the winners of the Adult division will be featured along the Turnpike.
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KTA celebrates employee service anniversaries
Nov 23, 2020
WICHITA, Kan. — Each year, the Kansas Turnpike Authority recognizes employees and Kansas Highway Patrol troopers assigned to the Turnpike, who are celebrating years-of-service anniversaries. For 2020, KTA recognized 62 individuals that collectively have 910 years of service to the KTA.
Employees reaching service anniversaries include:
40 Years:
- Dale Bell (Bonner Springs), Toll Collector
- Rosa Flynn (Wellington), Assistant Toll Supervisor
- David Wilson (El Dorado), Custodian
35 Years:
- Bruce Meisch (Wichita), Director of Technology
- Darren Roberson (Kansas City), Senior Equipment Operator
30 Years:
- Kevin Brinker, Lieutenant KHP Troop G
25 Years:
- Amy Brooks (Lawrence), Toll Collector
- Bruce Proctor (Leon), Highway Maintenance Lead
- Robert Pettersen (Wichita), Credit Manager
- Jason Weber (Derby), Roadway Operations Manager
- David Hundley, Lieutenant KHP Troop G
- Charles Wilson (Baldwin City), Network Infrastructure Manager
20 Years:
- Darren Evans (Winfield), Custodian
- Tracy Henoch (Lawrence), Toll Collector
- Brian Crum (Mulvane), Senior Auto Technician
- Mary “Jeannie” Michael (Emporia), Assistant Toll Supervisor
- Rachel Bell (Wichita), Director of Business Services & Customer Relations
- Teri Schillinger (Wichita), Image Reviewer
- Richard Woodward (Hoyt), Toll Maintenance Manager
- Stephanie Wade (Haysville), Toll Collector
15 Years:
- Curtis Annis (Perry), Senior Roadside Maintenance Worker
- Chelsey Miranda (Wichita), Assistant CFO
- Larry Crane (Olathe), Structures Superintendent
- Nicholas Parrott (Derby), Network & Security Manager
- Robert Jones (Wellington), Senior Equipment Operator
- Randall Cameron, Master Trooper KHP Troop G
- Lori Carrithers (Wichita), Image Reviewer
- Rex Fleming (Overbrook), Engineering Program Manager
- Brian Grunder, Master Trooper KHP Troop G
- Kathryn Miller (Emporia), Toll Collector
- Sonia Sprouse (Topeka), Toll Collector
- Gary Tryon (Lawrence), Senior Equipment Operator
- Scott Koehn, Master Trooper KHP Troop G
10 Years:
- Tinka Aldrich (Udall), Toll Collector
- Thomas Engdahl (Derby), Network System Administrator
- Susan Garten (South Haven), Toll Collector
- Derek Ludlam (Wichita), Customer Service Representative
- Jerry Farthing (El Dorado), Highway Maintenance Foreman
- Richard Paslay (Meriden), Senior Utilities Tradesman
- Deanne Oathout (Wellington), Toll Collector
- Cody Standley (Haysville), Auto Equipment Technician
5 Years:
- Logan Adlesperger (El Dorado), Incident Management Specialist
- Kim Bryant (Wichita), Senior Programmer Analyst
- Shauna Guyle (Wichita), Procurement Coordinator
- Kathy Downs (Derby), Toll Collector
- James Kenney (Lawrence), APM Technician
- Glen Scott (Wichita), Engineering Program Manager
- Laramie Turner (Topeka), Engineering Administrative Assistant
- Marcus Windholz (Augusta), Incident Management Center Team Lead
- Matthew Klopp (Lawrence), Toll Collector
- Loni Mann (Lawrence), Toll Collector
- Dallas Lane (Reading), Highway Maintenance Foreman
- Jory Custar, Master Trooper KHP Troop G
- Michael Schneider (Augusta), Server Systems Administrator
- Randall Smith (Lebo), Senior Equipment Operator
- Pierre Picotte (Wichita), Toll Collector
- Melissa Smith (Rosalia), Toll Collector
- Laura Southern (Udall), Audit Clerk
- Charla Tunget (Lawrence), Toll Collector
- Jane Walker (Andover), Toll Collector
- Cole McGee, Master Trooper KHP Troop G
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KTA extends safety message contest
Nov 12, 2020
WICHITA, Kan. — The Kansas Turnpike Authority is extending its safety message contest due to a technical issue that was discovered affecting submissions. We encourage all those who submitted before October 23 to do so again, and if you haven't, now is your opportunity to do so. The new entry deadline is November 30 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
The contest helps raise awareness about safe driving habits not only for new teen drivers, but also adults. There will be three winners from each age division. The winners from the Youth division, ages 13-17, will have their safety message published in VYPE Kansas magazine and will receive a gift card. The winners from the Adult division, 18 and older, will also receive a gift card. Winners from both divisions will have their safety message featured on DMS boards along the Turnpike.
Entries must follow specific criteria:
- Safety message must promote safe driving habits using themes. Examples: distracted driving; impaired driving; seat belts; speeding; holiday-related safety
- Entries must not exceed a total of 15 characters and spaces per line, with three lines total per entry
- No personal information, websites, or emojis are allowed
- Must be appropriate for the public (would you want your grandma or kids to read it?)
- Multiple entries are accepted; however, participants may only win once
- If there are duplicate/similar entries from different participants, the first submitted entry will be selected
“COVID-19 has caused everyone to rethink our daily lives – from school and work to going to the grocery store,” said Rachel Bell, KTA Director of Business Services & Customer Relations. “Regardless of how you’ve been impacted, KTA still wants you to buckle up, not drive impaired or distracted and to always keep safety as a priority.”
Those interested in the contest can view contest details at www.ksturnpike.com/contests.
