Crews make progress on Indy 500-themed welcome center
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One year ago this week, officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation and Penske Entertainment Corp. broke ground on the new Clear Creek Welcome Center in Vigo County.
The facility, which is part of a $600 million effort to revamp the state’s welcome centers, was redesigned to feature highlights of the state’s racing history.
Motorists driving along eastbound I-70 just past the Illinois border can now see the foundation poured steel structures going up as crews are nearly a year away from the $53.5 million project’s completion.
Our partners at WTWO-TV got an exclusive look at the progress, along with local officials.
“It’s just awesome,” Vigo County Commissioner Mark Clinkenbeard said. “I mean, the size is just what floored me, how big this place is going to be.”
The project is being led by Terre Haute-based Hanning Construction Inc., and Vice President Seth Porter said the work is on schedule.
“Right now, the big push is getting the building dried in,” Porter told the station. “So, we want to be able to start finishes, and by the wintertime, we’re going to be able to be enclosed and be able to work inside.”
The 15,000-square-foot facility, when complete, will feature a replica of the Borg Warner trophy, a scoring pylon, and even an IndyCar.
“It is a destination, so what better way to say ‘Hey! Welcome to the state of Indiana’ as you come out of Illinois on I-70 then having the checkered flag ready to declare you a winner as you come across the finish line?” INDOT West Central Public Information Officer Blake Dollier said.
The center will also include a children’s play area, adult recreation area, a walking path and dog park. Additional truck parking and trucker restroom facilities will be included.
The project is slated for completion next summer.