Kansas Turnpike drivers to see more roadwork soon

Laura McMillan
·2 min read

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Turnpike Authority wants drivers to be ready for more roadwork starting in mid-March. The KTA says that’s when construction season begins. It lasts into late fall.

Seven turnpike projects were carried over from last year, and 13 new projects are scheduled.

Worker injured at roadwork site in north Wichita

South-central Kansas plans:

  • Lengthen the acceleration and deceleration ramps in Sumner County near the Oklahoma state line. Work began last year and is expected to be completed this July.

  • Complete the two-year guardrail improvement project between the Oklahoma state line and Wichita. Work is expected to be finished this November.

  • Improve pavement between mile markers 13 and 28, south of Wichita, with an asphalt overlay. Completion is expected by Nov. 1.

  • Rehabilitate and widen the mainline bridge at mile marker 5. This is expected to require crossover traffic. Work could be finished by Dec. 5, weather permitting.

  • Elevate and improve the bridges at mile markers 4 in Sumner County and 36 in Sedgwick County.

  • Improve drainage at mile marker 15 in Sumner County. Work began in 2023 and should be finished this July.

  • Improve the waterline at mile marker 19 in Sumner County. The work should be finished by June 24.

Emporia and Topeka area plans:

  • Replace a culvert with bridges at mile marker 141, north of Emporia, to improve drainage. Completion is expected by December if weather permits.

  • Rehabilitate and widen the mainline bridges at mile marker 125, near Emporia, and mile marker 155, in Osage County. These are expected to require crossover traffic.

  • Install high-friction surfacing to improve traction on the curves at mile markers 103 and 105 in Chase County.

Lawrence and Kansas City area plans:

  • Improve drainage at mile marker 214 in Leavenworth County, between Lawrence and Kansas City. Work began in 2023 and is expected to be completed this spring.

Entire Kansas Turnpike:

  • Transition to cashless tolling in July. Installation of the cashless tolling signs began last March and continues through this July.

  • Removal of existing toll plazas will include reconfiguration of entrance and exit ramps. Most of the work is expected to be finished by mid-November 2025.

The KTA says drivers can keep track of road and lane closings by checking KanDrive.gov. Other options include subscribing to KTA Alerts or following the Kansas Turnpike on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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