Travel Overview

Ensuring Safety

Ensuring SafetyThe Kansas Turnpike tries to ensure the safety of its customers through routine maintenance and construction, customer and employee education programs and increased efforts of the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop G. In the early 1990s, the KTA completed the installation of the barrier wall in the median between the four lanes of traffic. This wall is estimated to save approximately 10 lives each year and prevent countless numbers of serious injuries. The barrier wall and the Turnpike’s limited access help increase safety for motorists.

The KTA also provides services to its customers through the following methods:

  • Each year, the KTA sponsors a rollover demonstration to teach customers of the importance of wearing a seatbelt. The annual demonstration is usually held at a Turnpike Service Area during a busy holiday weekend, offering the KTA a chance to reach more customers. The Turnpike also participates in “Put the Brakes on Fatalities” day held annually on October 10.
  • Six service areas located strategically along the Turnpike provide opportunities for fuel, food, ATMs, weather information, and other necessary items and services. These service areas are located at mileposts 26, 65, 97, 132, 188, and 209. For more information on the Turnpike’s service areas, please visit our frequently asked questions.
  • If you lose any property while traveling on the Kansas Turnpike, contact the Patrol Administrative Assistant, Kansas Turnpike Authority Headquarters, 9401 East Kellogg, Wichita, Kansas 67207-1804, (316) 682-4537 x 2352. We make every effort to locate lost items.

KTA Fact

SPEED LIMIT CHANGES
1956 - 1957
Reasonable and Prudent

1957 - 1970
80 mph Maximum
40 mph Minimum

1970 - 1974
75 mph Maximum - Day
70 mph Maximum - Night
40 mph Minimum

1974 - 1987
55 mph Maximum

May 1987
65 mph on rural interstates
55 mph through town of 50,000 or more and from Emporia to Topeka

October 1987
Emporia to Topeka re-classified as I-335 and now 65 mph

1993
65 mph around Wichita & Topeka

1996
70 mph from Oklahoma line to I-70/435. 65 mph from I-70 to 18th St.

1997
Entire Turnpike changed to 70 mph

2011
Turnpike from K-7 near Bonner Springs south to Oklahoma border changed to 75 mph