City approves access agreement with Kansas Turnpike Authority for Turnpike Business Park bridge

Les Magnus, director of community development, described an access agreement the city negotiated with the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) to permit public traffic to cross the KTA bridge and access the Turnpike Business Park street system.

"This agreement between the city and the KTA allows public traffic to access across the Turnpike's Bridge to the public street system within the Turnpike Business Park," Magnus said, noting that conversion to cashless tolling removed the toll booth that previously limited access. He said KTA and the city negotiated language and said representatives from the KTA and Transystems were in the audience for technical questions.

Council members asked whether Prairie Creek Road access would be public and whether KTA would maintain the bridge and adjoining roadway on its property; staff said the access would connect to a public road system, and the agreement provides that KTA will maintain the roadway and bridge on KTA property. Council members also discussed coordination on approach pavement and potential city improvements to Prairie Creek Road as separate city-funded projects in the corridor.

The council approved the access agreement and authorized the mayor to sign; the vote recorded 6-0 in favor.

Why it matters: The agreement creates a direct connection for traffic to and from the Turnpike Business Park, which city staff said will benefit logistics development in the park. KTA ownership of the bridge means the authority remains responsible for maintenance on its property; the city will coordinate approach and public-road improvements as needed.

Next steps: City staff said KTA intends to bid the Prairie Creek Road bridge work later this year; the city will continue coordination on naming and mapping for the new connection and on potential future roadway improvements.