PennDOT warns drivers about 18 month rest area closures

Pennsylvania transportation officials are warning drivers to plan ahead for long term rest area closure that will go into effect later this month.

Starting on October 16, the both the northbound and southbound e I-81 rest areas in Grantville near mile marker 79 will shut down for construction. The rest areas are scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2021, meaning that drivers who frequent the I-81 corridor will have to put up with an 18 month closure.

During the rest area closure, the facilities will be unavailable to drivers. Drivers will also not be allowed to park on the rest area ramps or the parking area itself.

During the closure, PennDOT will upgrade the rest area facilities and crew at more truck parking spaces.

The next available rest area on I-81 for southbound drivers is in Cumberland County at mile marker 38. The next available rest area on I-81 of northbound drivers is in Luzerne County at mile marker 157.

PennDOT says that they have warned truck stops along I-81 that they should expect to see increased truck traffic during the rest area closures.