INDOT renovating Black River Welcome Center
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The Indiana Department of Transportation said Thursday it will close the Black River Welcome Center on eastbound I-64 in Posey County for reconstruction. The closure, set to begin next week, is expected to last about two years.
The new center will add many features beyond the typical restroom and snack stop, according to INDOT.
The building will feature characteristics of a log cabin resembling President Abraham Lincoln’s childhood home with exhibits of the area’s history. There will be two new restroom facilities for truck drivers, including four individual ADA-accessible restrooms per building.
The parking capacity will also increase, with 75 spaces for semi-trucks and 55 spaces for cars. Outside of the center there will be a children’s playground, adult recreation area with a walking trail and a dog park.
Crews will fully demolish the existing building before beginning the reconstruction. The new facility is expected to open in 2025.
INDOT did not disclose its financial investment in the project. The Black River Welcome Center is located about 33 miles northwest of Evansville.
The project is part of a 10-year plan by INDOT to improve Indiana’s 26 rest areas and welcome centers. When complete, the project will add more than 1,100 semitrailer parking spaces statewide.
Earlier this week, INDOT broke ground on a $58.5 million reconstruction of the Clear Creek Welcome Center near Terre Haute, which will pay homage to the state’s racing history.