Indiana Notes

[Great Lakes Roads]

Came across an interesting INDOT document detailing the department's plan for the state's rest areas and truck parking. The plan was updated November 23, 2023, so it's more likely than not to be current.

To summarize, the plan recommends INDOT construct 10 new welcome centers, build two new rest areas on I-69 in southern Indiana, and transition seven rest areas to truck-only parking facilities. Four rest areas will be slated for closure. More specifically, the plan proposes that INDOT reconfigure several rest areas and welcome centers across the state to substantially increase the number of truck parking spaces.

According to the report, Indiana currently has 1,402 truck parking spaces in rest areas and welcome centers. If all of the plan's recommendations are completed, the number of trucking parking spaces will increase by 1,211, for an overall total of 2,579.

The report goes into detail about the rest areas and welcome centers that will be reconfigured and those facilities that will be closed. Overall, a 10-years build out is planned at a estimated cost of $600 million.

https://www.in.gov/indot/images/Rest-Area-and-Welcome-Center-Improvement-Plan.jpg

And here's the updated plan from INDOT...

FY 2026- Taylorsville Rest Area (I-65) and Michigan Welcome Center (I-94)
FY 2028- Henryville Rest Area/Welcome Center (I-65)
FY 2030- Spring Creek Welcome Center (I-74 EB), Future Rest Area (I-69 SB), and Batesville Welcome Center (I-74 WB)
FY 2031- Plainfield Rest Area (I-70)
FY TBD- Evansville Welcome Center (I-69 NB), Lizton Rest area (I-74), Nancy Hanks Rest Area (I-64)

[ITB]

In some business news, Caterpillar announced a $60 million expansion of its facility in Lebanon. Nearly 700 new jobs will be created. This will undoubtedly add impetus to housing development in the northwest Indianapolis region. Rapidly growing towns such as Danville, Brownsburg and Sheridan, all an easy drive to Lebanon, are likely see more growth.

Up in northwest Indiana, an agreement was reached between the City of Hammond and a data center developer for a new multi-billion dollar facility, to be housed in a new 450,000 sq ft building. Job numbers were not released.

Last week, the Irresistible Foods Group, the maker of Grillo Pickles, announced that ground had been broken in Columbus for a new 155,000 sq ft manufacturing facility to meet growing demand for its pickle products. Up to 150 new workers will be hired.

And, finally, in May Slate Auto, a start-up backed by Amazon-founder Jeff Bezos, confirmed plans to locate its electric light-truck manufacturing facility in Warsaw, creating 2,000 new jobs. Plans are to convert the former RR Donnelley and Sons printing facility on Old Road 30 (aka the Lincoln Highway) into the truck-manufacturing plant.
 

[Life in Paradise]

Came across an interesting INDOT document detailing the department's plan for the state's rest areas and truck parking. The plan was updated November 23, 2023, so it's more likely than not to be current.

To summarize, the plan recommends INDOT construct 10 new welcome centers, build two new rest areas on I-69 in southern Indiana, and transition seven rest areas to truck-only parking facilities. Four rest areas will be slated for closure. More specifically, the plan proposes that INDOT reconfigure several rest areas and welcome centers across the state to substantially increase the number of truck parking spaces.

According to the report, Indiana currently has 1,402 truck parking spaces in rest areas and welcome centers. If all of the plan's recommendations are completed, the number of trucking parking spaces will increase by 1,211, for an overall total of 2,579.

The report goes into detail about the rest areas and welcome centers that will be reconfigured and those facilities that will be closed. Overall, a 10-years build out is planned at a estimated cost of $600 million.

https://www.in.gov/indot/images/Rest-Area-and-Welcome-Center-Improvement-Plan.jpg

And here's the updated plan from INDOT...

FY 2026- Taylorsville Rest Area (I-65) and Michigan Welcome Center (I-94)
FY 2028- Henryville Rest Area/Welcome Center (I-65)
FY 2030- Spring Creek Welcome Center (I-74 EB), Future Rest Area (I-69 SB), and Batesville Welcome Center (I-74 WB)
FY 2031- Plainfield Rest Area (I-70)
FY TBD- Evansville Welcome Center (I-69 NB), Lizton Rest area (I-74), Nancy Hanks Rest Area (I-64)

In Southern Indiana, I still despise the closure of the Nancy Hanks rest areas in the middle of the state, and that they couldn't come up with an option to keep the newer welcome center near Lanesville.  Now there will be no welcome center on Westbound 64 coming from Kentucky.

[Revive 755]

If Indiana's going to toll their interstates they ought to be able to keep more full service rest areas for all vheicles, if not convert a few to service areas.

[hobsini2]

If Indiana's going to toll their interstates they ought to be able to keep more full service rest areas for all vheicles, if not convert a few to service areas.

Especially in the stretches of interstate that have 10 miles or more between exits. I-65 north of Lafayette and south of Scottsburg come to mind.