News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Contracts awarded on two spring construction projects
Feb 7, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on two upcoming Turnpike construction projects. Work on both projects will begin in March 2020 and are scheduled for completion in December, weather permitting.
Contract #7506 – To redeck and raise an overhead bridge at MM 155.5, which carries K-31 over I-335/KTA, was awarded to Wildcat Construction Co., Inc. & Subsidiaries, Wichita, KS, for $1,464,445.39.
Contract #7557 - Reinforced concrete box drainage improvements on I-335/KTA at MM 151.5 and MM 153.8, was awarded to King’s Construction, Oskaloosa, KS, for $1,936,481.
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 hosts fifth annual design contest for teens
Jan 31, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.—The Kansas Turnpike Authority is seeking submissions from creative students for its fifth annual design contest for students in grades 8-12. The contest is one of several awareness efforts held in partnership with the Kansas Department of Transportation for National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20-24. The week aims to raise awareness about fatality prevention while traveling through work zones.
Teen students throughout the state are encouraged to participate. The winner will receive $200. Additionally, he or she will get their art published in VYPE Magazine, a high school sports magazine for south central and central Kansas, including the Wichita and Salina areas.
Entries must meet specific criteria:
- Submission must be submitted online at www.ksturnpike.com/contests by 11:59 p.m. (CT), Sunday, April 12, 2020.
- Art dimensions: 7.5 inches wide by 7.75 inches tall.
- Must be 300 dpi
- Must be in CMYK color format
- Must be original work of the student—no clip art.
- Do not use the KTA or KDOT logo in your design.
- Must be in PDF format (However, art mediums incorporated into the final design may include, but are not limited to, illustration, photography, digital design, etc.)
- Incorporate a work zone safety message. Message can include, but not limited to:
- Work Zone Speed Limits
- Distracted Driving
- Driver/Worker Safety
Those interested in the contest can view details and previous winners at www.ksturnpike.com/contests.
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KTA announces new strategic plan: DRIVING CHANGE 2025
Jan 8, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority has announced a new strategic plan DRIVING CHANGE 2025 that will guide the organization’s ability to provide Kansas transportation solutions.
“KTA is a customer-driven organization with a clear vision for the future,” said KTA CEO Steve Hewitt. “We are excited about the role the Turnpike plays in the state economy and want to position the organization for future partnership projects.”
DRIVING CHANGE 2025 supports organizational goals with four strategic initiatives, including a concentrated move toward cashless tolling and nationwide compatibility.
“Our customers and employees are changing. Nearly 65 percent of travelers use an electronic transponder and the majority of our workforce is nearing retirement age,” Hewitt said. “KTA has focused on modernization for the past five years, removing gates and adding highway speed electronic lanes. We must continue this effort in order to maintain KTA’s strong position as a safe, reliable and customer-valued turnpike system.”
Travelers will experience construction on the roadway due to ongoing projects outlined in KTA’s 2015 Long Term Needs Study. Much of the work associated with the four strategic initiatives will be behind-the-scenes. Additional information about KTA is available on its website. To learn more or engage, connect with KTA on social media.
EDITOR’S NOTE: View a video message from KTA CEO Steve Hewitt regarding KTA’s Strategic Plan and conversion to cashless tolling: https://youtu.be/n21nFufGeB8
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Contracts awarded on three spring construction projects
Jan 3, 2020
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on three upcoming Turnpike construction projects. Work on the projects will begin in March 2020, weather permitting.
Contract #7527 – Pavement surfacing on I-35/KTA MM 70.8 to MM 96.3, ramp improvements and parking lot surfacing was awarded to Cornejo & Sons LLC, Wichita, KS, for the bid amount of $17,299,617.26.
Contract #7530 – Two year project for ramp and bridge improvements at the Belle Plaine service area at MM 26 on I-35/KTA was awarded to Dondlinger & Sons Construction Company, Inc., Wichita, KS, for the bid amount of $5,964,619.57
Contract #7532 – Two year project to redeck and widen mainline bridges at MM 55.917, north and southbound, on I-35/KTA was awarded to A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., Atlantic, IA, for the bid amount of $3,287,327.73.
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 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
