FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 27, 2015

For more information, contact: Rachel Bell Marketing & Communications Director 316.652.2673 [email protected]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated Information The pavement patching project referenced below has been delayed due to rain. Crews are currently working on I-70/Turnpike near the east Topeka toll plaza (mile marker 183.) Motorists can expect lane closures until June 10, weather permitting. Active work will occur 9 am – 6 pm with lane closures remaining through the night (7 am) for concrete curing.

Pavement project near east Topeka toll plazas begins April 20

Wichita, KS – A concrete pavement patching project at the Turnpike’s two east Topeka toll plazas (mile marker 182 on I-470/Turnpike and mile marker 183 on I-70/Turnpike) that also includes four connecting ramps to K-4 and I-70 will begin Monday, April 20, weather permitting. (See attached map.) Crews will be replacing deteriorated concrete sections of the roadway. The project begins with crews working on the ramp connecting I-470/Turnpike from exit 182 to K-4. Also included in this phase are the eastbound I-70 and the southbound K-4 ramps both connecting to the toll plaza at mile marker 182. There will be no lane closures in the ramp portion of the project, but lanes will be reduced from 28 to 14 feet. Work on these ramps will take approximately two weeks. Crews will then begin work on I-70/Turnpike around the most eastern Topeka toll plaza (mile marker 183). Since this is one of the Turnpike’s busiest toll plazas, motorists can expect lane closures for approximately two weeks. “To minimize possible delays and to accommodate commuter traffic, we are requiring the contractor to keep two lanes open on westbound I-70 from 7-9 am and conversely maintain two open eastbound lanes between 3 pm and 6 pm,” said David Jacobson, KTA’s director of engineering. “We encourage travelers to be aware of this project and to always drive with caution in work zones.” Drivers are urged to check for construction updates at http://www.kandrive.org, follow the on Twitter, and watch for information on the KTA’s digital message boards. Bettis Construction of Topeka, NE is the general contractor for the project.

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About KTA: The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) maintains 236 miles of user-fee supported roadway from the border to Kansas City. The KTA doesn’t receive state or federal tax funds. KTA's mission is to provide safe, high-quality highway transportation services to our customers for the lowest reasonable cost. K-TAG is the electronic toll collection program of KTA. Learn more about us at www.ksturnpike.com or www.myktag.com