COLUMBUS – Motorists traveling north or south of Columbus in the next few months should be prepared to have fewer rest areas along their route.
Starting this week, three central Ohio rest areas will be getting major makeovers.
The rest areas located on US Route 23 in Marion and Pickaway counties and US Route 33 in Union County will close on Thursday so that the buildings can be demolished and replaced, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The Pickaway County rest area is located south of the Franklin County line, the Marion County rest areas are along US 23 in both directions and the Union County rest areas are located near mile marker 97 between US Route 42 and Scottslawn Road (see map).
The current facilities are being replaced with a lodge-style building with indoor vending and Ohio tourism information available.
Demolition of the current buildings is expected to take place over the winter with construction of the new facilities to follow. The rebuilding should take between 12 and 14 months, ODOT District 6 spokeswoman Hannah Salem said.
Motorists traveling on through Ohio will find the nearest rest areas in Madison and Delaware counties (see map) but the Fayette County rest area located on I-71 in both directions closed in November for reconstruction, ODOT officials said.