I-55 REST AREAS TO CLOSE FOR RENOVATIONS

FRUITLAND -- The rest areas along Interstate 55 at Fruitland will be closed for about five weeks for extensive renovations, beginning Monday.

The Missouri Department of Transportation will have contractors replace windows and fixtures, and install additional lighting and air conditioning. Parking areas will be expanded and landscaping improvements will be made.

The entire project is expected to cost about $170,000, with $120,000 to be spent on the two restroom buildings.

"We are in the process of upgrading rest areas throughout Missouri to improve the conditions of this roadside service utilized by both in-state and out-of-state travelers," said MoDOT District Engineer Scott Meyer.

In Southeast Missouri, improvements also will be made to the rest areas at Marston and Bloomsdale. Renovations already have begun on the rest stops at Steele.

In all, the state plans to spend $680,000 to renovate the eight rest stops in Southeast Missouri, said Angie Wilson, a representative for the MoDOT district office in Sikeston.

The work will be done in phases so all Southeast Missouri rest stops aren't closed at the same time.

Wilson said the improvements to the Southeast Missouri rest stops should be completed by Memorial Day.

The improvements are part of a statewide effort to upgrade rest stops along the interstate highways in Missouri, she said.

As part of that effort, MoDOT plans to upgrade maintenance of rest stops. MoDOT plans to have a crew at each rest area.

Service hours will be longer and hourly cleaning routine will be followed. Missouri's 19 rest areas are maintained under agreements with sheltered workshops.

Crews will be on site from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, Wilson said.