We are so proud to share I-35/KTA has been repaired and is fully open, less than 48 hours from when it closed. The first 24 hours belonged to Mother Nature; the second 24 hours belonged to us. Watch how the work unfolded:
We thought we were seeing things but noโฆthis is an ELK!
Troop G
@kshighwaypatrol
reports this 800 lb bull elk collided with a vehicle near the KS/Okla border. Good reminder, to watch for deer (or elk) at this time of year.
Seriously folks. Now is the time to take a break and not push through. Zero visibility on I-35/KTA S of Emporia in the Flint Hills. Don't risk the chance of a crash or slide off.
#KSWX
If you get this fraudulent text, ignore it and do not click link. Itโs part of a national smishing campaign design to steal personal financial information. Report such text to the FBI at .
Good news - SB I-35/KTA lanes S of Emporia through Flint Hills are open! Moving semis take awhile in this
#kswx
. It's been a long day for all involved. Traffic will take a bit to clear out. We certainly appreciate your patience and support of the crews.
Crew update: Roads are snow packed and slippery, and visibility is reduced. Snow continues falling as crews keep treating roads. Thanks to drivers taking a break at the cattle pens, and other places.
#kswx
Grab your hats and mittens, the winter weather is back. Take time today to make sure your carโs emergency kit is also ready to go.
#SafetyFirst
#kswx
Kansas is no stranger to strong winds. While driving, keep both hands firmly on the wheel and keep an eye out for larger vehicles such as semis and buses that can be pushed by strong gusts.
#SevereWeatherAwarenessWeek
Crews are doing their best to treat roads, but the snow/ice/wind is not allowing much progress. Hope this look at the road convinces you to not drive. Please stay where you're at. (EB I-70/KTA near MM 186, 2 mi W of Topeka srv area)
#kswx
Crews are out in force working on road. Give them room to work. Slow down and allow extra space btwn vehicles is important too.
#kswx
Video: tandem plowing near Eastern Terminal, I-70/KTA MM 217
This morning,
@kshighwaypatrol
Colonel Jones recognized Sean James with the Honorary Trooper Award for rendering aid to three children after he had witnessed a crash on the Turnpike in early June.
Congratulations, Sean, and thank you for your courageous act.
While KTA remains open, travel is treacherous in places and highly discouraged. Snow/ice falling faster than road can be cleared & visibility reduced. I-35/KTA S of Emporia remains blocked; detour in place. Stay where youโre at.
#kswx
Our 236-mile roadway was constructed in just 22-months. Pre-dating the Interstate system, KTAโs roadway is now designated as interstate: I-35, I-335, I-470 and I-70.
#KTA65
UPDATE: I-35/KTA, btwn Wellington and KS/OK border (MM 0-19), could reopen this evening if progress continues at current pace. More info to be released here as available.
As
#COVID19
cases rise, KTA &
@KDHE
offers mobile testing and vaccination clinics at select KTA Service Areas. These clinics are available to ALL TRAVELERS.
Traveling this evening? Be like a
@kshighwaypatrol
trooper and be "weather aware." Theyโre out monitoring
#kswx
conditions along the Turnpike. Know the forecast before you go.
From Troop G
@kshighwaypatrol
: Visibility reduced due to falling and blowing snow. If you must travel, turn your headlights on and increase your following distance.
#kswx
Thank you truck drivers for continuing to provide goods and services for the state of Kansas. We hope you all stay safe as you persevere during this time.
#ThankaTrucker
Based upon what we're seeing so far, we're giving today a big fat 0 on traveling and a "10" for binge-watching Netflix!
Seriously though, If you must drive go slow to give yourself time/space to react to slippery conditions.
#kswx
Put the phone away. Texting & driving is dangerous. It combines all 3 types of distractions: visual, manual, cognitive. Reading/sending a text takes your eyes of the road for at least 5 seconds which is long enough to cover the length of a football field while driving at 55mph.
Happy Halloween from 1956! Emporia Toll Collector, Patti Mitchell, has one amazing costume too good not to share. She dressed up as the first woman toll collector!
If you're traveling the Kansas Turnpike through the Flint Hills, in the coming weeks, use caution. Local ranchers will be conducting controlled range burning which could impact visibility.
I spy with my little eye - the truck taking the
@USCapitolTree
to Washington DC. This was on I-70/KTA near E Topeka interchange (MM 183.) Anyone else see it today?
We are thankful for
@kshighwaypatrol
Troop G who patrols our roadway. These troopers do so much more than simply patrol โ provide security at interchanges & plazas, handle unpaid tolls, and share resources w/ communities along the Turnpike.
#NationalPoliceWeek
We had two Trooper vehicles struck today at crash scenes. Both were treated at local hospitals. Please slow down for
#kswx
conditions, and ANYTIME you see vehicles ahead with emergency lights.
#SlowDown
#MoveOver
As you spend more time traveling & outdoors this spring, we hope you have safe travels. If you do need assistance, you could receive help from a
@kshighwaypatrol
Troop G Trooper in one of the new blue/gray vehicles. It may be a different look, but itโs the same level of service!
Thinking of driving this AM? Think again. Crews continue treating road, but heavy ice takes time to treat. Road and especially bridges/ramps are slick. Stay home and give our workers time to get you moving again.
#kswx
Crews reporting white out conditions in Flint Hills. If traveling, use caution or better yet stop for a bit at a service area
Towanda (MM 65); Matfield Green (MM 97); Emporia (MM132).
#kswx
Due to travel challenges across the region, all Lawrence and Edwards classes are canceled for Monday. Information about campus operations for Monday will be available later today at . Stay safe, Jayhawks!
Winter weather is forecasted this evening along the Turnpike. Remember this important winter driving info:
โข Elevated surfaces, like bridges, freeze first
โข Slow down and don't use cruise control
โข Allow extra space between vehicles
#SafetyFirst
#KSWX
The trucking industry plays a vital role not only to our roadway, but also
#KS
economy by moving goods. Thank you to commercial drivers from your work serving Kansas residents.
#KSTruckingIndustryDay
The recipient of the Pinnacle Award, KTAโs top-rated video of the year, goes to "Think Again", produced by Matt Magette & Christian Jarrett of
@EHS_Cardinals
.
GOOD NEWS - Contractor finished I-70 work about 10 hrs early! EB & WB lanes of I-70 now open. Crews still in area, drive alert and with caution. Thanks for everyoneโs patience & cooperation.
#kctraffic
@KansasCityScout
@KansasCityKDOT
Have you received the
#COVID19
vaccine? This week
@KDHE
&
@BCBSKS
offers mobile testing sites at KTAโs Service Areas:
#Topeka
,
#Lawrence
and Matfield Green. These clinics are available to ALL TRAVELERS, both Kansans and out of state.
This morning
@kshighwaypatrol
Colonel Jones presented Master Trooper Collins & Master Trooper Mai with the Lifesaving Award for rendering aid to a traveler who had a medical emergency until EMS could arrive.
Congrats & thank you for your service to the traveling public.
Happy
#LawEnforcementAppreciationDay
! We want to send a huge thank you to
@kshighwaypatrol
Troop G, who is assigned to our roadway, for all they do! Last month we celebrated Lt. John Lehnherr's promotion to Captain of Troop G and Capt. Joe Bott's retirement.
Here's a look at conditions north of El Dorado... Mother Nature is not cooperating with these high winds. Please keep fire dept personnel in your thoughts.