News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Reconstruction of Kansas Avenue Bridge to Begin
Mar 10, 2015
Wichita, KS – Reconstruction of the Kansas Avenue Bridge in Leavenworth County crossing over the Turnpike/I-70 near mile marker 221 is set to begin soon, weather permitting. Kansas Avenue Bridge will close to all traffic on Monday, March 16.
The Kansas Avenue Bridge (Br. No. 221.542) has deteriorated to the point it needs to be replaced. AM Cohron & Sons is the contractor for the project. Construction on the bridge is expected to be complete in November.
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.
Download PDF to read entire release.
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KTA Seeks Input with Customer Satisfaction Survey
Feb 23, 2015
Wichita, KS – The Kansas Turnpike Authority invites the public to provide feedback on their Turnpike travel experience by participating in a Customer Satisfaction Survey. Any individual who uses the Turnpike, whether daily or occasionally, is encouraged to share their thoughts.
“We want to better understand our customer’s travel needs,” said Steve Hewitt, Chief Executive Officer of the KTA. “Survey results will help us make customer-driven changes in order to provide a better travel experience for those using the Kansas Turnpike.”
The survey is open until March 15 at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tmedia2015Download PDF to read entire release.
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EZ GO to Serve Customers at Towanda, Matfield Green Service Areas
Feb 16, 2015
Wichita, KS – The Towanda and Matfield Green service areas along the Turnpike/I-35 will experience a change in fuel providers. The Kansas Turnpike Authority board has approved the current lease to be reassigned to Carey Johnson Oil Company, commonly known as EZ GO. The transition will take place Tuesday, Feb. 17 for Towanda and Wednesday, Feb. 18 for Matfield Green at 7 a.m. Customers may experience interruptions in service at the c-stores during the transition between retailers. The restaurant operations at these service areas will be unaffected by the transition.
“Our goal is to provide positive, reliable transportation to our customers, and that includes our service areas. This transition to Carey Johnson Oil Company is one way we are making sure that goal is met,” said Steve Hewitt, CEO of the KTA.
Download PDF to read entire release.
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KTA Announces Promotions and New Hires
Feb 2, 2015
Wichita, KS – The Kansas Turnpike Authority has made multiple promotions within their Information Technology department. Bruce Meisch (Andover) has been named Director of Technology, following the retirement of Marty Wiltse (Derby), who served the KTA for 36 years. Other promotions within IT include:
- Blake Butterworth (Wichita), Application Development Manager
- Anne Elsworth (Haysville), Audit Manager
- Nick Parrott (Derby), Network & Security Manager
There have also been new additions to the organization. The new hires include:
- Jason Weber (Derby), Outreach Coordinator
- Dena Smoot (Atlanta), Marketing & Communications Administrative Assistant
- Amanda Miller (Mulvane), Communications Specialist
The KTA is excited about the changes within its organization. For more information on KTA employment opportunities, visit here.
Download PDF to read entire release.
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KTA Announces Leadership Changes
Jan 7, 2015
Wichita, KS – Effective January 1, Steve Hewitt was named Chief Executive Officer, taking over leadership of the Kansas Turnpike Authority’s day-to-day operations. Director of Maintenance Eric Becker has assumed responsibility for the KTA’s toll department in a newly created Director of Roadway Operations position.
These changes in KTA leadership are part of a succession plan for current KTA Chief Operations Officer Alan Bakaitis, who will serve in an advisory role until his retirement later in 2015.
“I appreciate all the support I’ve received over the past two years as COO and during my 17-year tenure at KTA. I look forward to supporting Steve and Eric as they take on these new duties,” Bakaitis said.
Hewitt began at the Turnpike in June and has more than eight years of executive level public administration experience including City Administrator of Greensburg, Kan. during the town’s disaster recovery efforts.
Becker has worked in a variety of capacities for the KTA for more than 16 years. He has been overseeing maintenance activities and projects since 2005.Kansas Transportation Secretary and Director of the Turnpike Mike King said he is excited about the positive direction KTA is headed. “I appreciate that Alan’s pending retirement has afforded KTA to have an overlap in leadership. It’s important with an organization of this size – and one that pays such a vital role in the state economy – that we transfer as much institutional knowledge as possible,” King said. “KTA has several projects on the horizon that will truly benefit travelers and the state of Kansas. Leadership will be crucial in achieving those goals.”
Download PDF to read entire release.
