News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Bridge reconstruction to begin June 14 near Topeka
Jun 11, 2021
TOPEKA, Kan. – A two-year project to re-deck and raise the vertical clearance of two bridges at mile markers 171.34 (Wannamaker Road) and 172.477 (69th Street) on I-335/KTA in Shawnee County is set to begin June 14, weather permitting.
Reconstruction of the Wannamaker Road bridge will occur in 2021, followed by the 69th Street bridge in 2022. To accommodate construction, the Wannamaker Road bridge will close to all traffic on Monday, June 14 and will reopen in late November, weather and schedule permitting.
Drivers are urged to check for traffic impacts at www.KanDrive.org, subscribe to KTA Alerts for roadway incident information, 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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Contracts awarded on upcoming cashless tolling project
May 28, 2021
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces a bid has been approved and contract awarded on an upcoming Turnpike construction project for the conversion to cashless tolling.
Contract #7788 – For construction of five sets of cashless toll zones in Sumner and Sedgwick counties was awarded to Dondlinger & Sons Construction Company, Inc., Wichita, KS for the bid amount of $6,471,475.32. The first five toll zones will be constructed between Wellington and Wichita at mile markers 21.16, 30.52, 36.43, 39.5, 47, and 50.
The work includes, grading, paving, concrete pads, setting of equipment enclosure buildings, electrical work, concrete median barrier, and installation of overhead sign structures. Work is expected to begin this summer and completed in July 2022, weather permitting.
The toll zones to be constructed are the first five of several to be constructed as KTA makes the transition toward cashless tolling, as identified in their strategic plan in 2020.
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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Construction to lift bridges begins June 1
May 28, 2021
WICHITA, Kan.— A two-year project to increase the vertical clearance of 11 bridges crossing over I-35 & I-335/KTA between mile markers (MM) 105 – 161 in Chase, Lyon and Osage counties, is set to begin Tuesday, June 1 with the bridge located at MM 114.6 on I-35/KTA (Yy Road, Chase County.)
This project is the fourth round of bridge liftings to take place on the Kansas Turnpike. Construction at each bridge location will take approximately two months to complete, with work occurring at two or more locations at the same time. Each bridge will be lifted to provide at least 15’-9” of clearance. Learn more about the lifting process in this video.
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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Holiday weekend kicks off State Farm® Safety Assist summer program
May 25, 2021
WICHITA, Kan.— The State Farm Safety Assist summer program is back this year to assist Kansas Turnpike drivers as travel picks up from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This program is a sponsorship between State Farmâ and the Kansas Turnpike Authority and provides free initial roadside assistance on busy sections of the Turnpike.
“As more vehicles get back on the road this summer, KHP has seen an increase in incidents such as drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving,” said John Lehnherr, KHP Troop G Captain. “Having the State Farm Safety Assist program allows our troopers to focus on safety enforcement.”
The State Farm Safety Assist program operates on I-70/KTA year-round; however, during summer months, additional vehicles patrol the heavily-traveled northeast Turnpike corridor as well as I-35/KTA from Wichita to the Oklahoma border. This program runs Monday through Friday from 6-10 a.m. and 3 -7 p.m., and on Sunday from 3-7 p.m. If you need assistance while on the Turnpike, call KTA’s Incident Management Center at *KTA (*582).
“Customer service and safety are important to KTA and this program is one way we can provide that to our travelers,” said Jason Weber, KTA Roadway Operations Manager. “We hope our customers never need roadside assistance, but if they do, our motor assist technicians are here to help. We encourage our travelers to be prepared before trips by making sure their vehicles are properly maintained and carrying an emergency kit, just in case.”
The State Farm Safety Assist vehicles are equipped with various tools and equipment to help assist in tire changes, directing traffic and minor mechanical solutions. All services offered are free to travelers.
The State Farm Safety Assist Program is not intended to replace or interfere with services provided by private businesses. Technicians will provide only immediate services needed to assist customers in getting off the side of the road and to help maintain the flow of traffic.
To learn more about the State Farm Safety Assist program, visit http://bit.ly/2kFesRg
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Contracts awarded on upcoming construction projects
May 4, 2021
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on three upcoming Turnpike construction projects.
Contract #7668 – For redecking and raising vertical clearance of two bridges at MM 171.34 and 172.477 on I-335/KTA in Shawnee County was awarded to Wildcat Construction Co., Inc. & Subsidiaries, Wichita, KS, for the bid amount of $2,810,460.15. This project is expected to begin in June 2021 and be completed by the end of September 2022, weather permitting.
Contract #7729 – For raising vertical clearance of 11 bridges, including guardrail, bridge pier protection, and slope improvements was awarded to Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc., Kansas City, MO, for an amount not to exceed $8,957,861. This project is expected to begin in June 2021 and be completed in October 2022, weather permitting.
Contract #7794 – For fabrication and delivery of 36 equipment enclosure buildings needed for cashless tolling zones was awarded to Dupont Building, Inc., Bell City, LA for the bid amount of $1,105,441.20. Toll zones are expected to be constructed from 2021-2023.
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.
