News Releases
Keep up on the latest KTA news by reading our press releases below.
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Contracts awarded on upcoming Turnpike projects
Jan 31, 2023
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on two upcoming Turnpike projects.
Contract 7917 for guardrail improvements, extensions of culverts, concrete barrier pier protection and aggregate slope protection between the Oklahoma border and south Wichita, at mile marker 42, was awarded to Dondlinger & Sons Construction Company, Inc., Wichita, KS, for the bid amount of $8,587,785.54. Work is scheduled to be completed by November 2024, weather permitting.
Contract 7936 for drainage improvements at MM 141.6 and pavement repairs, applicable for both north and south bound driving lanes between MM 140 and 143, in Lyon County was awarded to Bettis Asphalt & Construction, Inc., Topeka, KS, for the bid amount of $7,702,861.31. Work is scheduled to be completed by December 2024, weather permitting.
Construction details will be available closer to the start dates on http://www.ksturnpike.com with updates on this and other projects published monthly in KTA’s electronic newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter using the form at www.ksturnpike.com/communication.
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Contracts awarded on upcoming Turnpike projects
Jan 6, 2023
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority announces bids have been approved and contracts awarded on three upcoming Turnpike construction projects.
Contract 7801 for redecking and widening Bridge No. 125.22 S I-35/KTA, and rehabilitation of Br. No. 125.22 N I-35/KTA in Lyon County, was awarded to A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., Atlantic, Iowa, for the bid amount of $10,301,482.39. Work will take place during the 2023 and 2024 construction seasons.
Contract 7921 for redecking and widening of the Solider Creek Bridge, No. 155.31 N&S I-335/KTA, in Osage County was awarded to A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., Atlantic, Iowa, for the bid amount of $3,993,664.35. Work will take place during the 2023 and 2024 construction season.
Contract 7922 for placement of high friction surface at MM 103 and MM 105 I-35/KTA, in Chase County, was awarded to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC, Plover, Wisconsin, for the bid amount of $534,321.04. Work will be completed by November 2023, weather permitting.
Construction details will be available closer to the start dates on http://www.ksturnpike.com with updates on this and other projects published monthly in KTA’s electronic newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter using the form at www.ksturnpike.com/communication.
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KTA maintains financial strength and customer approval
Nov 29, 2022
WICHITA, Kan.— The Kansas Turnpike Authority has released its Fiscal Year 2022 annual report and recent Customer Satisfaction survey results showing the organization has maintained its solid financial position, and customer feedback remains positive.
“KTA continues to be focused on staying fiscally responsible as we transition to cashless tolling in 2024,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA’s CEO. “We’ve worked hard to maintain a low toll rate despite the rising inflation and other economic challenges.”
KTA’s most recent annual report for fiscal year 2022 reveals the agency continued to meet its financial goals. Net position increased by $52.2M and long-term debt decreased by $14.5M. KTA also maintained the highest bond rating possible for a toll authority – Aa2 with a Stable Outlook – from Moody’s Investors Service.
Results from KTA’s annual customer satisfaction survey showed that 97 percent of respondents recommended the K-TAG program. The survey also affirms KTA’s direction to modernize its system, with most travelers supporting increased compatibility with other tolling systems, removal of toll booths and expansion to accommodate additional traffic.
“With cashless tolling arriving in 2024, and customers recommending the K-TAG program, there is no reason not to switch to K-TAG,” said Hewitt. “The program is free, sticker K-TAGs are free, and you pay the lowest toll rate.”
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KTA celebrates employee service anniversaries
Nov 16, 2022
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 2022, KTA recognized 38 individuals that collectively have 585 years of service to the KTA.
Employees reaching service anniversaries include:
45 years:
- Wendy Sears (Topeka), Toll Collector
35 years:
- Paul Shirey Jr. (McLouth), Highway Maintenance Foreman
30 years:
- Mitchell Foster (Topeka), Equipment Operator
- Ron Komp (Clearwater), Highway Maintenance Superintendent
- Mike Wecker (Olpe), Structures Foreman
25 years:
- Terry Gannon (Andover), Senior Equipment Operator
- Mary Stegner (Wichita), Customer Service Representative
20 years:
- Tanya Austin (Augusta), Senior Compensation & Benefits Specialist
- Gary Culbertson (Wichita), Customer Service Manager
- Christopher Hammond, Trooper
- Maria Hernandez (Wellington), Toll Collector
- Michael Konrade, Trooper
- Victoria Marmon (Kansas City), Toll Collector
- Andre Pierpont (Carbondale), Senior Auto/Truck/Equipment Technician
15 years:
- David Bowman (Wellington), Equipment Operator
- Blake Butterworth (Wichita), Application Development Manager
- Marta Heasty (Wellington), Toll Collector
- Diane Heath (Park City), Toll Collector
- Brian Higinbotham (Topeka), Senior Equipment Operator
- Jeffery Kueser (Tecumseh), Senior Toll Equipment Technician
- Merri Beth Thompson (McLouth), Assistant Toll Supervisor
10 years:
- Jeri Biehler (Augusta), Senior Communications Manager
- Ashley Clark (Haysville), Image Reviewer
- Stephanie Crisler (Wichita), Toll Collector
- Judy Denny (Lawrence), Toll Collector
- Amy Maske-Mueller (Wichita), Customer Service Assistant
- Keri Row (Wellington), Toll Collector
- Jason Zeigler, Trooper
5 years:
- Shelby Baker-McElfresh (Emporia), Toll Collector
- Erik Chaney (Lawrence), Structures Lead
- Veronica Couch (Emporia), Toll Collector
- Laurie Crumb (Topeka), Toll Collector
- Scott Emond (Park City), Senior Accountant
- Skylar Ford (Wichita), Network Infrastructure Technician
- Ty Gaines (Madison), Senior Utilities Tradesman
- Grant Kabler (Wichita), Senior Incident Management Specialist
- Waylon Lane (El Dorado), Equipment Operator
- Clark Rials Jr., Trooper
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KTA celebrates Teen Driver Safety Week and contest winners
Oct 17, 2022
WICHITA, Kan. — Instilling safe driving habits is important to the Kansas Turnpike Authority, not only this week as KTA celebrates and recognizes Teen Driver Safety Week, but throughout the year.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States according to Traffic Safety Marketing. KTA encourages parents and those who work with teens to talk with them about safe driving practices, including seat belt usage and distracted driving.
“Good driving habits start early,” said Rachel Bell, Director of Business Services and Customer Relations. “Teen drivers are influenced by friends and how they see their parents drive. We hope through our teen video contest, we also influence teens as they think about safe driving in a new way.”
Each fall, KTA holds a video contest for teens to create a safe driving PSA. This contest is held in conjunction with Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, October 10, to raise awareness about dangerous driving habits like distracted driving, speeding and lack of seat belt use. The three winning videos can be viewed online.
