News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Contracts awarded on upcoming Turnpike projects
Nov 2, 2021
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on upcoming Turnpike construction projects.
Contract #7742 - For redecking and widening north and southbound mainline bridges at MM 41.437 (55th Street), 42.445 (Hydraulic Avenue), and 42.84 (47th Street) and construction of northbound and southbound cashless toll zones at MM 43.08, was awarded to Dondlinger & Sons Construction Co., Wichita, Kansas, for $9,179,847.53.
Contract #7829 - for painting eight bridges located between MM 86 and MM 170, in Butler, Chase, Lyon, Osage, and Shawnee Counties, was awarded to Lindner Painting, Inc., Lincoln, NB, for $413,300.
Three separate contracts were approved for the fabrication and delivery of overhead sign structures needed for cashless tolling as following:
- Contract 7884 for 12 overhead structures for locations from MM 56 to MM 73 was awarded to AMG Metals Inc., Sharon, Ontario, for $1,722,919.86.
- Contract 7886 for 12 overhead structures for locations from MM 187 to MM 202 and contract 7887 for 16 overhead sign structures from MM 131 to MM 210 to Metal Pros LLC, Wichita, KS for $1,352,020.00 and $1,658,420.00, respectively.
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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KTA encourages teen driver safety — Contest videos released
Oct 18, 2021
WICHITA, Kan.— In celebration of National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 17-23, the Kansas Turnpike Authority shares the three winning videos from its recent Put the Brakes on Fatalities video contest. These videos were created by Kansas teens to raise awareness about dangerous driving habits. The winning three videos can be viewed online.
The winning videos were made by students from St. John-Hudson High School and Eudora High School.
“We love to see the thought and creativity that is put into these videos each year,” said Rachel Bell, KTA Director of Business Services & Customer Relations. “Teens are in their formative driving years, so creating videos is just one way we hope to instill safe driving behaviors in them.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teen drivers are twice as likely as adult drivers to be involved in a fatal crash. Parents are highly encouraged to talk with their teen about safe driving practices, including seat belt usage and distracted driving.
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KTA seeks customer input
Aug 23, 2021
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority invites the public to provide feedback on their Turnpike travel experience by participating in their annual Customer Satisfaction Survey. Anyone who uses the Turnpike, whether daily or occasionally, is encouraged to share their thoughts to help KTA prioritize future projects and make internal improvements.
“We’re a customer-driven organization,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA’s CEO. “Customer feedback helps drive our decisions for future projects. Cashless tolling will be arriving in 2024, and part of that decision was due to our customer’s changing expectations on how tolling works.”
The survey is open until September 30 at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSS21NR.
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KTA hosts job fair for toll and maintenance positions
Aug 16, 2021
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Turnpike Authority is hosting a job fair for toll collection and maintenance positions in the Lawrence and Topeka area.
The job fair will be held on Wednesday, August 18 from 2 – 6 p.m. at the following locations.
Applications will be accepted from tobacco-free individuals. Hiring managers will be conducting interviews and answering questions about working at KTA. KTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
View all of KTA’s open positions at www.ksturnpike.com/employment.
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KTA encourages safe driving for teens with video challenge
Aug 3, 2021
WICHITA, Kan.—The Kansas Turnpike Authority encourages teens to “Put the Brakes on Fatalities” with their sixth annual video contest for students in grades 8-12. The entry deadline is September 26 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
The contest, held in conjunction with Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day on October 10, helps raise awareness about safe driving habits. There will be three winners.
Entries must follow specific criteria:
- Video must promote fatality prevention using themes such as (but not limited to): Distracted Driving; Seatbelts; Texting while Driving
- Video must be between six (0:06) and sixty (0:60) seconds in length.
- Selfie videos will not be accepted (Don't just look into the camera and talk).
- Don't break any laws while filming.
Those interested in the contest can view contest details at www.ksturnpike.com/contests
With many schools’ alternative schedules last year, KTA did not host a video contest in 2020.
“We are excited to see the videos back in 2021,” said Rachel Bell, KTA’s Director of Business Services & Customer Relations. “Across the country we are seeing a change in driving behavior such as increased speed. It’s more important than ever to focus our teen drivers on safe driving habits and we think this contest is one way to do that.”
In addition to KTA’s video contest, the Kansas Department of Transportation conducts a poster art contest for Kansas kids ages five through 13. Learn more about the poster contest and other Kansas awareness campaign activities here: http://www.ksdot.org/events/PutTheBrakesOnFatalitiesDay/
Editor’s Note: View the 2019 winning videos here.
