News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Traffic changes near East Topeka toll plaza
Jul 2, 2018
TOPEKA, Kan. – The southbound K-4 ramp connecting to eastbound I-70 will temporarily close on July 9th to accommodate construction at the Kansas Turnpike Authority’s East Topeka toll plaza located at mile marker 183, I-70/KTA. The ramp is anticipated to re-open in early August, weather and schedule permitting.
Other changes for eastbound traffic approaching the East Topeka toll plaza include:
- Drivers with a K-TAG or compatible transponder will be able to use the left lane of the newly constructed highway speed lanes to enter the Turnpike. (Follow posted speed limit signs in the construction zone.)
- Those without a compatible transponder will use the right lane to reach the ticket booth for Turnpike entry. If a driver misses getting a ticket, they should not stop on entry, but continue on to their exit and stop at a toll booth to pay when exiting the Turnpike.
The construction project, anticipated to be complete in November, will convert the toll plaza to open road tolling allowing electronic customers (those with a K-TAG or compatible transponder) to move through the middle of the toll area at highway speeds. Travelers, who prefer to pay with cash, will be able to slow and pull to the right, well out of way of highway traffic. See how open road tolling works.
Drivers are urged to check for traffic impacts at http://www.kandrive.org, subscribe to KTA Alerts for roadway incident information at http://bit.ly/KHeX6g, follow the Kansas Turnpike on Twitter, and watch for information on KTA’s digital message boards. Construction updates on this and other projects are published monthly in KTA’s electronic newsletter. Use the newsletter signup button, located toward the bottom of the web page, to subscribe.
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Popular State Farm® Safety Assist summer program begins again
Jun 1, 2018
WICHITA, Kan.— The helpful State Farm Safety Assist program has begun for the summer season. Memorial Day weekend marked the annual expansion which proceeds through Labor Day, and the Kansas Turnpike Authority, joined by State Farm, increase the effort to provide assistance to Turnpike travelers with roadside emergencies.
“State Farm looks forward to another year of being good neighbors with the KTA and helping any motorists in need during the heavy summer travel months”, said Ed Gold, Advertising Director at State Farm.
During the summer months, an additional vehicle patrols the heavily traveled northeast Turnpike corridor, and one vehicle patrols from Wichita to the Oklahoma border. The program already operates year-round in the heavily traveled Topeka to Kansas City route. 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).
“Just last year, the program performed over 1,800 assistances. Welfare checks, tire changes and mechanical assistances were the most common thing our technicians helped travelers with,” said Jason Weber, KTA Roadway Operations Manager. “We hope our travelers don’t need any roadside assistance, but if they do, this service is one way that we are there for our customers. The best defense against a roadside emergency is making sure your vehicle is properly maintained. Also make sure you have an emergency kit, just in case.”
The State Farm Safety Assist vehicles are equipped with various equipment and tools prepared to help in any way they can. Assisting in tire changes, directing traffic, minor mechanical solutions, and transportation to safety are only a few of the services provided. 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 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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Paving project near Matfield Green Service Area to begin June 4
May 29, 2018
Emporia, Kan. – A pavement resurfacing project on I-35/KTA near the Matfield Green Service Area south of Emporia is set to begin Monday, June 4, 2018 and will be complete in late October, weather permitting.
The project includes milling and overlaying pavement from mile marker 96.3 to 112.3 on I-35/KTA, portions of the Matfield Green Service Area parking lot located at mile marker 97 and lengthening the acceleration/deceleration ramps connecting to the service area. Construction of three median crossovers near mile markers 94 and 100 for future bridge rehabilitation projects are also included in the project.
Drivers can expect single lane closures and reduced speeds of 65 mph throughout the project. They are encouraged to follow directions on posted signs and to use caution within the work zone. The Matfield Green Service Area will remain open and access will be maintained.
Motorists 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.
Cornejo & Sons, LLC, Wichita, KS was awarded this contract for $6,542,554.69 in December 2017.
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South Wichita Interchange improvement project to begin May 30
May 23, 2018
Wichita, Kan. – A construction project for improvements at the South Wichita Interchange located at mile marker 42 on I-35/KTA is set to begin Wednesday, May 30, 2018 with scheduled completion in November, weather permitting.
The project includes lengthening acceleration and deceleration lanes, guardrail improvements and high-mast lighting at the toll plaza. Construction will be done in stages beginning with median construction, followed by northbound I-35/KTA ramp work and concluding with construction on the southbound I-35/KTA ramps.
Drivers can expect single lane closures between mile markers 41 and 43 on I-35/KTA with speed reduced to 60 mph. They are encouraged to follow directions on posted signs and to use caution within the work zone.
Motorists 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.
Cornejo & Sons, LLC, Wichita, KS was awarded this contract for $1,850,082.19 in April 2018.
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Open Road Tolling project wins multiple industry awards
May 18, 2018
The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces its open road tolling project near Kansas City (I-70/KTA mile marker 217) is the recipient of two awards:
- 2018 Best of Intelligent Transportation Systems award from the Heartland Chapter of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America
- 2018 Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award for the Eastern Chapter of the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers.
The reconstruction of the Eastern Terminal toll plaza took place in 2017 and converted the toll area just west of Kansas City to a new style of tolling known as open road tolling. This change allows highway speed travel through the left or middle of the tolling area while still providing a cash option to the right.
“It seems only fitting to share news of these two awards during National Transportation week, which celebrates transportation infrastructure, efficiencies and effectiveness,” said David Jacobson, KTA’s Director of Engineering. “We’re proud of the role we’ve played to improve the efficiency of travel in Kansas.”
Eastern Terminal was the first of three Turnpike toll plazas located on the roadway itself to be converted. The East Topeka toll plaza is currently under construction with completion scheduled for fall 2018 followed by Southern Terminal near the Oklahoma border in 2019. More information is available at www.ksturnpike.com/openroad
