A drive along the Kansas Turnpike is about to become more expensive.

On Sunday, the fees for most turnpike trips will increase by 5 percent, but some will be as much as 10 percent.

The toll increase is expected to generate an additional $3.8 million in annual revenue for the Kansas Turnpike Authority, which has an operating budget of about $39 million.

Lisa Callahan, a KTA spokeswoman, said the toll increase is needed to keep pace with escalating costs and to help finance big-ticket items such as the planned rebuilding of two turnpike bridges that cross the Kansas River between the North Lawrence and west Lawrence interchanges.

The project calls for construction of two three-lane, 2,300-foot bridges; realigned approach ramps and acceleration lanes to and from the east and west Lawrence toll plazas; and an additional entry and exit lane at the east Lawrence interchange.

Bridge construction is scheduled to start in May 2008 and last until 2011, said Michael Johnston, KTA president and chief executive officer, in a press release.

The bridge that carries North Michigan Street over the Kansas Turnpike that closed last month for reconstruction won’t reopen for six to seven more months. When the Michigan Street project is complete, the North Iowa Street bridge will close for reconstruction for six to eight months.

Starting in May 2008, there will be no westbound access to and from the west Lawrence interchange for eight months. After that is finished, the east Lawrence interchange will be closed for eight months.

The project is expected to cost about $140 million – about what it cost to construct the entire 236-mile-long turnpike in the mid-1950s.

The toll increases are not across-the-board. Depending on where they enter and where they exit, some Lawrence motorists may not see an increase at all. Here’s a look at some routes:

¢ From the Lecompton interchange to the east Topeka interchange, tolls will remain 70 cents.

¢ From the Lecompton interchange to the south Topeka interchange, tolls will increase 5 cents, to 90 cents.

¢ From the west Lawrence interchange to the east Topeka interchange, tolls will remain at 85 cents.

¢ From the west Lawrence interchange to the south Topeka interchange, tolls will increase 10 cents, to $1.10.

¢ From the west Lawrence interchange to the terminal near Bonner Springs, tolls will increase 5 cents, to $1.45.

¢ From the east Lawrence interchange to the east Topeka interchange, tolls will remain at $1.

¢ From the east Lawrence interchange to the south Topeka interchange, tolls will increase 5 cents, to $1.20.

¢ From the east Lawrence interchange to the terminal near Bonner Springs, tolls will increase 5 cents, to $1.40.

For more information and specifics on the toll increases, visit the KTA Web site at www.ksturnpike.com.