The Kansas Turnpike Authority opened a new center in Lawrence this week where drivers can purchase electronic K-TAGs.

The retail center is located off Interstate 70 at the toll plaza on McDonald Drive. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place there at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Drivers can pick up free sticker K-TAGs at the center, get replacements, learn more about the K-TAG electronic toll collection program and make payments and changes to their accounts. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to the KTA website, K-TAGs are also available at Lawrence AAA locations and The Merc. They can also be ordered online at myktag.com.

The announcement of the new retail center came the same week that the state announced that those who pay cash on the Kansas Turnpike will see increased costs beginning in May.

The Kansas Turnpike Authority announced Wednesday that cash tolls will increase by 10 percent but that those using electronic toll collection will get discounts on their monthly statements of 10 to 20 percent.

The Associated Press reported that revenue from the tolls will help pay for more than 40 projects on the turnpike in the next decade. The projects include spending $14 million annually on pavement, up to $20 million to improve service areas and $25 million on an interchange in Wichita.