News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Highway speed electronic lanes to open near Oklahoma border
Dec 9, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— Beginning December 10, Southern Terminal, the newly converted Kanas Turnpike toll plaza near the Oklahoma border (I-35/KTA mile marker 17) will be fully operational. Travelers can expect the traffic conversion to take place in the late afternoon, weather permitting.
Southbound drivers traveling through the area should expect the following changes:
- Electronic users continue traveling at highway speeds through the toll area.
- Cash travelers exit right to toll plaza for payment.
Since August, northbound (entry) traffic has already experienced highway speed lanes with electronic customers (those with K-TAG or compatible toll device) staying on the roadway and cash travelers exiting right to receive their entry ticket.
KTA reminds drivers to not stop in the electronic lanes. Drivers that forget their ticket at Southern Terminal toll plaza can let the collector know when exiting (or press the help button on a self-pay machine). Drivers that forgot to pay at the plaza will receive a mailed statement at a higher video enforced rate. Learn about KTA’s toll structure and their electronic toll collection program, which provides the lowest toll rate.
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KTA is financially stable and an asset to Kansas’ economy
Dec 5, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— As the Kansas Turnpike Authority finishes up one of the busiest construction seasons of its 2015 Long Term Needs Study, it reports a continued strong financial position and positive impact on the state’s economy.
KTA’s most recent annual report for fiscal year 2019 shows KTA’s net position increased by $45.5M and long-term debt decreased by $27.7M. The agency retained the highest bond rating for the government owned toll road sector – an Aa2 rating – from Moody’s Investors Service.
The report also reflects the KTA’s investment of $35.6M on construction projects (repair or maintenance) aimed at preserving the system’s infrastructure during fiscal year 2019.
These direct expenditures result in a spinoff effect within the larger Kansas economy according to a recent economic impact study. Data from a three-year period (2016-2018), show KTA expenditures produce a 2.2 to 1 return on investment and create 1,377 jobs, contributing $236.2M to the economy.
The study, prepared by the Economic Development Research Group, Inc., also shows 12% of the state economy (gross state product) relies on the Turnpike to help move goods.
“KTA’s strong financial foundation allows the organization to be an important partner for Kansas’ future transportation needs and to continue making customer-driven improvements to the Turnpike system,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA’s Chief Executive Officer. “By all indications, these reports indicate a bright future for the Kansas Turnpike Authority.”
Both reports can be found on KTA’s web site:
- FY2019 Annual Report: https://www.ksturnpike.com/about/annual-report
- Economic Impact Study summary: https://www.ksturnpike.com/about/strategic-direction.
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Contracts awarded on two spring construction projects
Dec 3, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on two upcoming Turnpike construction projects.
Contract #7529 – Pavement surfacing on I-70/KTA from MM 210.7 to MM 224.1, was awarded to Bettis Asphalt & Construction, Inc., Topeka, KS, for the bid amount of $6,884,279.60. Work will begin in March 2020 and is scheduled for completion in November, weather permitting.
Contract #7533 – Work to redeck and widen the north and south bridges on I-335/KTA at MM 143.1 was awarded to A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., Atlantic, IA for the bid amount of $2,639,760.22. Work will begin later this month and is scheduled for completion next December, weather permitting.
Construction details will be available closer to the start date on http://www.ksturnpike.com with impacts to traffic posted on http://www.kandrive.org/. 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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KTA receives Innovation Award by Wichita Business Journal
Nov 15, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— Kansas Turnpike Authority was selected as a 2019 Innovation Award honoree through the Wichita Business Journal. The award recognizes KTA’s innovative approach with introducing highway speed electronic lanes at its three mainline toll plazas along with related internal modernization efforts.
Improvements at Eastern Terminal, East Topeka and Southern Terminal modernized tolling in Kansas by allowing electronic customers to use the toll plaza while maintaining highway speeds. Several back-office changes were also made, including the addition of an image review team, technology upgrades and procedural changes.
“Customers’ expectations are evolving as they travel around the country,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA CEO. “With these changes, KTA is truly paving the way for the future of tolling in Kansas.”
KTA was one of 22 companies and six individuals recognized by the Wichita Business Journal on November 14.
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KTA celebrates employee service anniversaries
Nov 13, 2019
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 2019, KTA recognized 88 individuals that collectively have 1,405 years of service to the KTA.
Employees reaching service anniversaries include:40 Years:
• Dana Gonzalez (Berryton), Procurement Coordinator35 Years:
• Joseph Bott (Wichita), Captain of KHP Troop G
• Jerald Kloxin (Wichita), Senior Roadside Maintenance Worker
• Marlin May (Topeka), Structures Superintendent
• Dale Sparr (Rose Hill), Highway Shop Superintendent
• Daniel White (Berryton), Senior Roadside Maintenance Worker
• Randy Winkle (El Dorado), Senior Roadside Maintenance Worker30 Years:
• Craig Herman (Topeka), Roadside Maintenance Foreman
• John Hogoboom (El Dorado), Roadside Maintenance Superintendent
• Karl Koenig (Topeka), Trooper
• Tonja Lemons (El Dorado), Assistant Toll Supervisor
• Patricia Taylor (Wellington), Toll Collector
• Jeffrey Whalen (Derby), Assistant Toll Supervisor
• Janet Willis (Piper), Toll Collector25 Years:
• Verna Ast (Wellington), Toll Collector
• Troy Dunnaway (Eudora), Structures Foreman
• Peter Huntington (Topeka), Trooper
• David Jacobson (Topeka), Director of Engineering
• Scott Lawrence (El Dorado), Roadside Maintenance Foreman
• Jerald Linot (El Dorado), Highway Maintenance Foreman
• Patricia Mitchell (Emporia), Toll Collector
• Tracie Moore (Scranton), Customer Service Representative
• Darlene Morgan (Rose Hill), HR Assistant
• Patrick O’Bryon (Lawrence), Toll Maintenance Manager
• Geneva Scott (Milton), Toll Collector20 Years:
• Matthew Bowers (Topeka), Toll Collector
• Leeroy Brittain (Matfield Green), Highway Maintenance Lead
• Diane Collins (Wichita), Image Reviewer
• David Droge (Topeka), Structures Worker
• Robert Dunn (Wichita), Toll Collector
• Darren Griffin (Bonner Springs), Trooper
• Michael Gruber (Bonner Springs), Trooper
• Joseph Housholder (Topeka), Roadside Maintenance Worker
• John Lehnherr (Wichita), Trooper
• Jeanette Mitchell (Tecumseh), Toll Collector
• Shawn Phillips (Lawrence), Trooper
• Thomas Piland (Topeka), Toll Collector
• James Scarbrough (Overbrook), Equipment Operator15 Years:
• John Bailly (Wichita), Toll Supervisor
• Matthew Brooks (Lawrence), Trooper
• Luke Coltrane (Overbrook), Engineering Program Manager
• Tina Heider (Derby), Customer Service Representative
• Jeffrey Lockhart (Wichita), Trooper
• Randy Rhoades (Hoyt), Senior Equipment Operator
• Stephen Schneider (Topeka), Trooper
• Russell Siegrist (Valley Falls), Roadway Striping Foreman
• Shawn Taylor (Topeka), Trooper
• Scott Thompson (McLouth), Highway Maintenance Lead
• Jack Walker (Wellington), Highway Maintenance Lead
• Ryan Walton (Bonner Springs), Trooper10 Years:
• Andrew Booth (Lawrence), Toll Supervisor
• Joel Crider (Bonner Springs), Toll Collector
• Chad Holt (Augusta), Structures Foreman
• Teresa Humbert (Lawrence), Customer Service Representative
• Joshua Lauber (Park City), Toll Collector
• Corey Markley (Topeka), Auto/Truck/Equipment Technician
• Gregory Willis (Wellington), Senior Equipment Operator
• Clyde Wilson (Emporia), Highway Maintenance Foreman5 Years:
• Donnita Akard (Topeka), Toll Collector
• James Brockman (Emporia), Toll Collector
• Beth Bush (Burns), Toll Collector
• Gerald Cottingham (Lawrence), Toll Collector
• Mary Draxler (Wichita), Toll Collector
• Matthew Douglas (Eudora), Motorist Assist Technician
• Brett Eitzen (Wichita), Digital Media Specialist
• Rex Gardner (Lawrence), Toll Collector
• Tracy Gilbreath (Emporia), Toll Collector
• Alexander Gottschalk (Lawrence), Network Infrastructure Technician
• Neely Gower (Topeka), Toll Collector
• Alexandria Haber (Lawrence), Toll Collector
• Tuesday Harman (Eastborough), Toll Collector
• Byron Harvey (Towanda), Highway Maintenance Lead
• Kimberly Hauser (Topeka), Toll Collector
• Steve Hewitt (Wichita), Chief Executive Officer
• Joyce Lockwood (Wichita), Toll Collector
• Eric Lynn (Wichita), Toll Collector
• Michelle McLallen (Augusta), Toll Collector
• Amanda Miller (Wichita), Communications Specialist
• Aaron Mueller (Topeka), Toll Collector
• Laurence Poff (Lawrence), Toll Collector
• Meghan Rhodes (El Dorado), Image Reviewer
• Ashley Rodriguez (Emporia), Toll Collector
• Marinda Sang-Douglas (Geuda Springs), Toll Collector
• Vance Schwyhart (Lawrence), Toll Collector
• Dena Smoot (Atlanta), Administrative Assistant
• Jesse Tucker (Auburn), Structures Worker
• Richard Uhrmacher (Augusta), Equipment Operator
• Dawna Whaley (Mayfield), Toll Collector
