News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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KTA announces recent retirements, new hires and promotions
Dec 31, 2019
WICHITA, Kan.— KTA has recently said goodbye to seven employees who retired from the Kansas Turnpike Authority:
- Mark Lee (Bonner Springs), 20 years of service
- William “Tom” Stallings (Eudora), 29 years of service
- Robert Bowling (Wichita), 38 years of service
- Tim Love (Burlingame), 28 years of service
- Patrick O’Bryon (Lawrence), 25 years of service
- Dena Smoot (Atlanta), five years of service
- Joseph Bott (Wichita), 35 years of service
- Kathy Bowne (Emporia), 19 years of service
- Robert Dunn (Wichita), 20 years of service
KTA has also recently hired four individuals at the Wichita headquarters:
- Katie Miller (Wichita), Communications Specialist
- Aubrey Unruh (Newton), Audit Clerk
- Jeanette Ruiz (Wichita), K-TAG Customer Service Representative
- Keeley Taylor (Wichita), Incident Management Specialist
Two KTA employees have recently been promoted in the organization:
- Dallas Lane (Reading), promoted to Admire Highway Maintenance Foreman
- Richard Woodward (Hoyt), promoted to Toll Maintenance Manager
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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.
