Thanksgiving Holiday Travelers Asked to Plan Accordingly

Garfield Heights (Wednesday, November 3, 2010) – As part of the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) 2010-2011 Business Plan to remodel and modernize 44 statewide rest areas, District 12 will begin upgrading and renovating two Northeast Ohio rest areas beginning at 8 a.m. on November 15, 2010.

Both the Interstate 90 east and westbound rest areas will be closed temporarily in Northeast Ohio’s Lake County as upgrades take place. 

Motorists traveling through Northeast Ohio from the west will find the nearest rest area along State Route 2 eastbound in Lorain County and those traveling through Northeast Ohio from the east will find the nearest rest areas along Interstate 90 westbound in Ashtabula County and State Route 2 westbound in Lorain County.

“Each day, we are working to make ODOT a more environmentally-conscious agency,” said District 12 Deputy Director Bonita G. Teeuwen.  “By reducing energy usage in the department’s existing rest areas, we are becoming a green leader in the nation.”

The renovation and energy efficient upgrades will consist of new plumbing, electrical wiring, energy efficient windows and doors, new concrete floors, new tile, new bathroom fixtures, a new HVAC system and new roof covering. The renovation will also include updating all buildings to current ADA standards.  

Weather permitting, the rest areas will be closed for approximately six months and are expected to reopen during the spring of 2011.

Click here to view all statewide rest areas under construction.

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For more information contact:
The ODOT District 12 Communications Office at (216) 584-2006