I-65 welcome center in northwest Indiana opens
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
State officials on Tuesday marked the opening of a new welcome center on I-65 in northwest Indiana.
The Kankakee Welcome Center near mile marker 231 in Jasper County replaces a previous facility built in 1988 and highlights the area’s commitment to wind energy.
The welcome center’s design is meant to represent a wind turbine and its blades and features a nod to Lake Michigan and the Kankakee River through its blue terrazzo floors and restroom tile. Amenities include a expanded parking spaces, dog park, children’s play area, adult recreation area, walking trails and a pond. It’s also ADA compliant.
“Through its Rest Area and Welcome Center Improvement Plan, INDOT is committed to providing safe, relaxing environments where travelers can rest and recharge as they enter and drive through Indiana,” Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Smith said in a news release. “This has been an opportunity to work with state and local partners to provide a glimpse of all northwest Indiana has to offer in the ways of industry and tourism.”
Hasse Construction was awarded the $40 million contract for the northbound rest area in 2021. Fosse and Associates Architects and Janssen and Spaans Engineering provided design services.
The Kankakee Welcome Center comes among a statewide improvement plan bolstered by $600 million in federal funding. Officials say they expect to improve 21 rest area and welcome centers across the state by the end of FY 2034.
The state’s first welcome center project at Pigeon Creek, along southbound I-69 in Steuben County, opened in October 2020. Clear Creek in Vigo County and Black River in Posey County are currently under construction. More details about these projects are available by clicking here.