The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) plans to shutter most storm shelters as cashless tolling goes into effect this summer.
On July 1, 2024, the Kansas Turnpike will officially cease on-road toll collection for good as all customers will go cashless along the 236-mile toll road.
The KTA calls this “the largest change for turnpike customers since opening day in 1956.”
As on-road toll collection comes to an end, the KTA says that they will shutter 21 storm shelters located along the turnpike in July.
Six storm shelters will remain open at KTA service centers.
KTA says that while drivers were welcome to use the storm shelters, they were mainly in place to protect employees. Now that no one will be needed to man the tollbooths, the agency made the call to remove the storm shelters.
“Without having employees in those areas any longer, we won’t have the need for the tornado shelter, so those will be removed to make way for a better driving experience for the public,” Rachel Bell with the KTA told Fox4KC.
You can click here to learn more about the switch to cashless tolling on the Kansas Turnpike.
