News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Roadside assistance summer program begins again
May 23, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— The State Farm Safety Assist program is once again expanding to assist Kansas Turnpike travelers during the busy summer travel season, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The program, a sponsorship between State Farmâ and the Kansas Turnpike Authority, provides free initial roadside assistance on busy sections of the Turnpike.
The program already operates on I-70/KTA year-round. During the summer months, an additional vehicle patrols this heavily-traveled northeast Turnpike corridor, and one vehicle patrols I-35/KTA, from Wichita to the Oklahoma border. The State Farm Safety Assist runs Monday through Friday 6-10 am and 3-7 pm and Sunday from 3-7 pm. If you need assistance on the Kansas Turnpike, call KTA’s Incident Management Center at *KTA (*582).
“We aim to provide excellent customer service to our travelers, and this program is another service KTA and State Farm can provide,” said Jason Weber, KTA Roadway Operations Manager. “By taking care of vehicle-related issues, the program also helps out the Kansas Highway Patrol troop assigned to the Turnpike and allows them to focus more on law enforcement activities.”
The State Farm Safety Assist vehicles are equipped with various equipment and tools 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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Run for the Wall riders to stop at Topeka service area
May 17, 2019
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 20, 2019 around 8:30 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 15 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 27.
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KTA encourages motorcycle safety for month
May 1, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the Kansas Turnpike Authority reminds drivers to “share the road” to help prevent motorcycle accidents. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash data, motorcycle fatalities occurred 28 times more frequently than any other vehicles.
Motorists are urged to help prevent motorcycle crashes by regularly checking blind spots and mirrors, using signals when changing lanes or turning, allowing motorcycles use of the full traffic lane and giving more distance when following a motorcycle.
“Each year, in addition to promoting motorcycle safety, we also participate in the annual Run for the Wall event at the Topeka service area,” said Rachel Bell, KTA Director of Business Services & Customer Relations. “This cross-country motorcycle ride recognizes the sacrifices and contributions made by veterans who have served our nation.”
Motorcyclists are also advised to take precautions. Riders should always wear a helmet, even if state law does not require it; cancel turn signals when complete if not automatically done; ride in the middle of the lane to increase visibility; wear protective clothing, such as riding jackets and boots; and follow all traffic laws, such as never drinking and driving.
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KTA design contest brings work zone awareness to teens
Apr 12, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— Madison Kunz from Blue Valley Northwest High School is the winner of the Kansas Turnpike Authority’s fourth annual design contest. This contest, held annually to celebrate National Work Zone Awareness Week, encourages teen drivers to be aware of safe driving behaviors through work zones. Kunz was selected out of a record-setting 187 submissions from schools around the state.
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.
“This record-setting number of entries tells us teens are paying attention to work zone safety messages,” said Rachel Bell, KTA’s Director of Business Services & Customer Relations. “This contest engages teens in safety campaigns during their formative driving years and enforces safe driving behaviors to last a lifetime.”
Contestants submitted a ¾ page advertisement focused on work zone safety. Kunz’s work will be published in VYPE Magazine and KTA’s monthly newsletter, Turnpike Times. View Kunz’s work, as well as the other finalists, at http://bit.ly/2WSDQBJ.
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Contract Awarded on I-70/KTA Improvement Project
Mar 29, 2019
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces a contract has been awarded for improvements on I-70/KTA between the Lecompton and Eastern Terminal toll plazas with construction scheduled to begin Monday, April 1, 2019, and be completed in late November, 2019, weather permitting.
The project, awarded to Bettis Asphalt & Construction, Inc., Topeka, KS, for $8,399,860.17, includes the following I-70/KTA improvements:
- Pavement resurfacing between mile markers 197.9 – 210.7, including the Lawrence Service Area at mile marker 209;
- Increasing the capacity of current reinforced concrete box culverts at mile marker 212.4 by adding additional culverts;
- Lengthening the reinforced concrete box culvert at mile marker 214.2;
- Lengthening the acceleration/deceleration ramps connected to the Lecompton and Tonganoxie/Eudora interchanges at mile markers 197 and 212, respectively.
Throughout the project, construction is scheduled to occur between 9 am and 3:30 pm with the exception of pavement resurfacing, which is planned for overnight hours. Speeds will be reduced to 65 mph within work zones. The first phase of construction will begin at mile marker 212 where drivers can expect intermittent lane and shoulder closures.
As construction progresses, traffic impacts will be posted on www.kandrive.org and made available on www.ksturnpike.com. 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.
