More information about the proposed Centerville Rest Area Modernization Project will be offered at an open house and public hearing next week.
Indiana Department of Transportation is organizing the open house at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at Centerville Senior High School’s auditorium, 507 Willow Grove Road, Centerville. Comments can be given about the preliminary design plans and draft environmental document at 6:30 p.m.
The center will close during construction, which is expected to take about two years (summer 2024 to summer 2026) and cost an estimated $42 million.
INDOT is overseeing the project on westbound Interstate 70 with partial funding from Federal Highway Administration.
Proposed improvements include construction of a new welcome center (approximately 12,000 square feet) with interpretive signage, interactive activities that include an interior half-court basketball court, improved pet care and picnic areas, a walking trail, new lighting, and decorative landscaping.
The reconstructed facility also would include one restroom facility for truck drivers, located adjacent to the main Welcome Center building in the truck parking area.
INDOT officials say the current welcome center, built in 2010, doesn’t provide areas for recreation, play and educational opportunities to highlight regional historical influences, and the existing pet area isn’t adequate. It also doesn’t reflect INDOT’s comprehensive plan that provides guidelines for future construction and maintenance of the agency’s rest area portfolio.
INDOT plans to invest more than $600 million into 21 of its rest areas and welcome centers around the state by the end of fiscal year 2034.
The reconfigured area would retain the 156 existing semi/truck parking spaces. However, instead of accommodating 97 passenger vehicles (six handicap parking spaces), it would have 54 spaces (four handicapped accessible).
Existing drinking water and sewer line connections supported by the Town of Centerville would be reconstructed and reconnected. Current drainage conditions on site would be maintained through reconfiguration and replacement of stormwater inlets and small drainage structures.
Where to get more information
Indiana Department of Transportation is organizing an open house to share plans for Centerville’s rest area at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at Centerville Senior High School’s auditorium, 507 Willow Grove Road, Centerville. Comments can be given about the preliminary design plans and draft environmental document at 6:30 p.m.
Preliminary design plans can be reviewed online at on.in.gov/Centerville-Rest-Area, at Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 N. Sixth St., Richmond, or mailed upon request.
Written comments can be sent through May 31 to Mr. Imtiyaz Dalal, Project Manager, Janssen & Spaans Engineering, 9120 Harrison Park Court, Indianapolis, IN 46216 or idalal@jsengr.com.
For more information about accessibility accommodations at the hearing, contact smcavoy@indot.in.gov at least 48 hours in advance.
A version of this article appeared in the May 8 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.