News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Kent Olson honored with CFO award
Mar 14, 2018
WICHITA, Kan.— Kansas Turnpike Authority’s Director of Finance, Kent Olson, was recognized as an honoree at the Wichita Business Journal’s 2018 CFO Awards on March 12. Olson was nominated for his leadership in modernizing KTA’s financial systems and internal business practices. These enhancements have improved KTA’s management decision-making and financial reporting.
In addition to Olson’s contributions to KTA, he has previously served in various state government CFO roles and has been named to leadership positions in organizations dedicated to finance, accounting and public administration.
“Our organization has truly benefited from Mr. Olson’s hard work and dedication,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA CEO. “Thanks to his leadership and financial planning, KTA’s successful future has been paved.”
Olson was one of 22 honored at the March 12 award ceremony.
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Bridge construction southwest of Topeka begins March 19
Mar 9, 2018
TOPEKA, Kan. – Reconstruction of the SW 85th Street Bridge and the SW 93rd Street Bridge in southwest Topeka, crossing over the Turnpike/I-335 at mile markers 169.627 and 168.297, is set to begin March 19, weather permitting.
The two-year project will consist of re-decking and increasing the vertical clearance of the bridges. Reconstruction of the SW 85th Street Bridge will occur in 2018, followed by the SW 93rd Street Bridge in 2019. To accommodate construction, the SW 85th Street Bridge will close to all traffic on Monday, March 19 and will reopen in late November, weather and schedule permitting.
Most bridges crossing over the Turnpike are approximately the same age – 50+ years. During the next several years, KTA will be reconstructing many of these bridges. Future bridge reconstruction schedule will be determined by annual bridge inspections.
Drivers 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.
The project contract was awarded to King Construction Company, Hesston, KS for $1,817,241.57 in December 2017.
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Bridge construction northeast of Emporia set to begin
Mar 8, 2018
EMPORIA, Kan. – A two-year project involving ten I-335/KTA bridges northeast of Emporia is set to begin Thursday, March 15, 2018, weather permitting. Construction includes:
- Re-decking and widening bridges over Allen Creek (mile marker 130.360);
- Rehabilitating bridges over the Neosho River (mile markers 129.18), Prairie Street (mile marker 129.71) and Troublesome Creek (mile marker129.96);
- Removing bridges over abandoned railroad tracks (mile marker 130.120).
In 2018, construction will take place on the northbound side. All traffic will begin using the southbound lanes in early April, where there will be a single, 12-foot lane of traffic in each direction between mile markers 128 and 131. Speeds will be reduced to 65 mph through the construction zone.
Work on the northbound bridges are expected to be complete in late November, weather permitting. In 2019, construction will take place on the southbound bridges.
Drivers 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.
During the next several years, KTA will reconstruct many of its mainline bridges. Future bridge reconstruction schedule will be determined by annual bridge inspections. This project contract was awarded to A. M. Cohron & Son, Inc., Atlantic, IA, for $5,476,932.71 in February 2018.
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Work to resume on I-470/KTA Bridge over Topeka Boulevard
Mar 7, 2018
TOPEKA, Kan. – The second year of a two-year project to widen and re-deck the I-470/KTA bridge crossing over Topeka Boulevard at mile marker 177.337 is set to begin. Construction will occur in the westbound lanes of I-470/KTA and is scheduled to be complete in late November, weather permitting.
The week of March 12, all traffic will begin using the eastbound I-470/KTA bridge where there will be a single, 12-foot lane of traffic in each direction between mile marker 176 and 170. The westbound I-470/KTA exit to the South Topeka toll plaza will remain open. Speeds will be reduced to 65 mph through the construction zone.
Drivers 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.
The project contract was awarded to a joint venture between A.M. Cohron & Son of Atlantic, IA and Hamm, Inc. of Perry, KS for $13,998,798.46 in February 2017.
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KTA awards contract in February
Mar 6, 2018
EMPORIA, Kan. – The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces a bid has been approved and a contract awarded on an upcoming Turnpike construction project.
Project #7167 – A two-year project to re-deck and widen mainline bridges located at mile marker 130.360, rehabilitate bridges at mile markers 129.18, 129.71 and 129.96) and remove mainline bridges at mile marker 130.120, all on I-335/KTA near Emporia, was awarded to A.M. Cohron & Sons, Inc. Atlantic, IA, for $5,476,932.71.
Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-March with details available soon on www.ksturnpike.com and impacts to traffic posted on 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.
