North Carolina transportation officials have opened one new rest stop along I-77 but they also shut down four others.
New Iredell Rest Area
The new rest area in Iredell, just south of the Tomlin Mill Road interchange at exit 59 and north of Statesville, N.C. The facility offers truckers 55 parking spaces, along with six restrooms, a vending and seating area and more.
Four rest areas along I-77 closed as a result of the new location’s opening – two at the Iredell/Yadkin county line and two north of Mooresville.
Construction of the 5,000-square foot, $15-million facility started in the spring of 2015. This rest area is the first in the state to be built in the median, allowing motorists to exit I-77 from the left lane in either direction.
Building the facility in the median did not require additional right of way, saving the state approximately $1 million. The rest area was initially expected to open in September, but was delayed due to sewer line issues.
States have been shutting down rest areas around the country in cost cutting moves as they fail to financial support themselves and thus need tax dollars to maintain.