Topeka ? The sale of the Kansas Turnpike has emerged as a possible solution to the state’s sagging revenue problem.

The idea of selling the 236-mile route from the Oklahoma border to Kansas City has been discussed among Cabinet members and lawmakers. It’s unclear how much money such a sale would generate, but state officials believe the issue may be worth looking into.

“It’s something that ought to be fleshed out,” said Rep. Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing. “We ought to look at the pros and cons and determine what each are and make a decision.”

Caleb Asher, spokesman for Administration Secretary Howard Fricke, said his office had been in contact with Chris Romer, a regional manager and vice president for JP Morgan, a global financial services firm.

“They talked about the idea, how it (the turnpike) could be managed differently,” Asher said.

Romer acknowledged those discussions but said it was too soon to express an opinion on the turnpike’s value.

A five-member Kansas Turnpike Authority manages the route, which was used by 31 million vehicles in 2002. Toll revenue was $67.5 million, much of which is rolled back into operations. At the end of 2002, the authority reported $102.8 million on hand.

Rep. Gary Hayzlett, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said the idea of selling the toll road was mentioned briefly at a KTA meeting last month.

“There was no indication from anybody that they thought it was a good idea,” said Hayzlett, R-Lakin. “I don’t think there was any consensus on the turnpike board that there was interest in selling it.”

Mike Johnston, KTA president, said there was little rationale for estimates of the turnpike’s worth.

“I can tell you this: Nobody has a strong factual basis to talk about $700 million any more than I have basis to talk about $300 million or $1 billion,” he said.

Johnston said any sale would be complicated and unprecedented in the United States.

Jim McLean, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Transportation, said the issue was of low priority, but that all ideas were fair game given the state’s fiscal condition.

“Nobody knows at this point as to whether it’s marketable or not,” he said. “Certainly no determination has been made as to whether it’s a good idea.”

Nicole Corcoran-Basso, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ spokeswoman, said the governor was not involved in any sale discussions.

“She’s always looking for ways to encourage cost savings and looking for ways we can work smarter,” Corcoran-Basso said.