The two rest areas on U.S. 33 in Union County are now closed in both directions and will be getting completely replaced this year.
Earlier this month, the Ohio Department of Transportation closed both stops along U.S. 33, southeast of Marysville, as part of work ODOT is doing on rest areas around the state.
Hannah Salem, the public information officer for ODOT District 6, said the project will involve a demolition and complete replacement of the facilities.
“Crews are going to demolish those existing buildings and update them with new ones, making it a much more modern experience,” she said. “The old buildings were just reaching the end of their lifespan.”
She said the Union County buildings were selected due to their age and size and will be replaced with larger, “lodge-style” buildings.
“The new ones will have Ohio tourism information as well as new vending machines and brand new restrooms,” Salem added. “They will also be adding new truck spaces for semis as well as spaces for regular cars and pedestrian traffic. So there will be more space overall for visitors and those truck drivers won’t have to park in the driving areas.”
Currently, ODOT lists the Union County rest area as having 27 spaces for cars and only 10 spaces for trucks. Salem said expanding that number should relieve some of the crowding on the ramp space.
The work is part of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s vision to “greatly improve the traveler experience for the thousands of visitors who stop at Ohio rest areas every day” and will leave the rest areas closed for a year.
In total, ODOT plans to replace 33 rest area buildings over the next four years.
The new style will mimic work done to the Preble County Welcome Center, built in 2019, but was the first of this run to be updated with the new designs. That facility reopened last March.
“Inside, visitors can learn about Ohio’s history as the ‘Birthplace of Aviation’ and see places of interest to help plan their next adventure to the area. The enhancements were a collaboration between the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Development,” according to a press release from ODOT on the rest area projects.
The release goes on to say visitors will be able to scan QR codes on the walls for more information about other nearby attractions, such as local and state parks, Ohio public universities and other historical sites. There will also be a 10-foot map of Ohio that highlights popular attractions across the state.
“Our rest stops give travelers, truck drivers and families a safe place to rest, which can increase focus and safety when they get back on the road,” DeWine said in a statement. “While they’re stretching their legs, we want to share Ohio’s amazing story and tell them about our innovative Ohioans, beautiful natural resources, and exciting attractions. We want them to know Ohio is full of great opportunity.”
DeWine also announced a plan last year to build 33 new rest areas throughout the state by the end of 2026.
Union County’s stops are closed along with stops in Marion and Pickaway counties. According to ODOT, motorists can find the nearest rest areas in Madison County along U.S. 70 and Delaware County along U.S. 71, although officials said the Fayette County rest area, also located on U.S. 71, closed in November for reconstruction.
According to ODOT, dozens of other rest areas in the state that are not slated for complete new buildings will be getting upgrades, including Ohio native landscaping and other regional tourism information.