Demolition is moving forward at the Kansas Turnpike toll plaza at Emporia.
Work started late last month. Mile marker 127 has a little extra work as opposed to other tollgates, according to Turnpike Authority engineer Glen Scott on KVOE’s Morning Show this week:
Scott says work is about a third of the way towards completion. The goal is to finish demolition and reconfigure lanes at some time in November.
Scott says some pavement repair is also needed.
Current speeds of 20 mph in the construction zone will be increased to 45 mph once construction is done.
Demolition work on tollgates is set to take place through next year, but Scott says work at Admire and Cassoday could well be done this year. Service exits like the ones at Emporia and Matfield Green will not see any layout or operation adjustments as part of this project.
In all, 22 toll plazas will see demolition by the end of the process next year. Demolition is the last stage of work as the Turnpike Authority continues its transition to cashless tolling, but there has been a lot of visible work already — with bridges being raised and gantries being installed to read license plates up and down the highway. There was also a significant change in billing, so there were adjustments to customer service, and many toll collectors either retired or accepted different roles with the KTA.
