Work has started on patching certain parts of the Kansas Turnpike northeast of Emporia. The work zone is getting lengthened.
The Kansas Turnpike Authority has granted a nearly $12 million contract to Bettis Asphalt & Construction out of Topeka for patching and resurfacing between the Admire exit, mile marker 147, and south Topeka at mile marker 167.8. This will also include drainage improvements near the east Topeka exit at mile marker 182.
Work is set to begin later this month and continue through November 2026, weather permitting.
Work got started earlier this year from the Emporia service exit at mile marker 132, five miles northeast of the Emporia gate, to the Admire interchange. Pearson Construction of Wichita won that contract with a nearly $4.4 million bid. Work could end next October.
These projects are either underway or coming soon after emergency repairs on the Turnpike bridge over US Highway 50. That project followed a damaging wreck after an over-height load hit the bridge understructure April 18.
