Storm shelters to be removed from Kansas Turnpike as KTA moves to cashless tolling

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Along the 236 miles of the Kansas Turnpike are tornado shelters that can be found at most toll plazas.

However, as the Kansas Turnpike Authority moves towards cashless tolling starting in July 2024, a majority of those shelters will be going away.

“We will no longer have employees at those toll plaza areas, and the toll plazas will be completely reconfigured over the next 18 months,” said Rachel Bell, the Director of Business Services and Customer Relations at KTA.

While the shelters were intended to be used by the workers at the toll plazas, they also provided a safe option for commuters on the road caught in the middle of a storm.

“It is a pretty rare situation that those tornado shelters are used,” said Bell. “At a lot of our lower level toll plazas, we don’t have overnight employees. We don’t staff all shifts, so those tornado shelters are used maybe a couple times a year, if that.”

As the KTA will soon begin the process of closing and removing the storm shelters, since staff will no longer be stationed at the plazas, weather experts are reminding drivers what to keep in mind if they find themselves on the turnpike when a tornado warning is issued and shelters are not available. Vanessa Pearce, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said drivers need to know where they are at all times and how close they are to the nearest exit or service station.

“The biggest thing is to have a plan to avoid that situation, but obviously all situations can’t be avoided,” said Pearce. “If you see the storm ahead, is there an exit coming up that you’re able to get off to? Finding a sturdy shelter will be your best option.”

If commuters cannot reach an exit or shelter in time during severe weather, Pearce said people should get down to the lowest point like a ditch and to avoid overpasses.

“Don’t park under an overpass and think you’re going to get up under the girder,” said Pearce. “That’s going to provide protection, because the winds can travel through there and be stronger so it can be very dangerous.”

As for current and future safety options on the turnpike, the KTA told 12 News the storm shelters at the toll plazas will close in July, but the shelters at the six service areas along the roadway will remain available.

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