Two West Virginia Turnpike travel plazas to close for demolition in early 2023, will be rebuilt with more truck parking

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced major plans to upgrade two busy travel plazas, starting next year, with an emphasis on adding more parking for commercial vehicles.

The Beckley and Bluestone travel plazas located on the West Virginia Turnpike will be closed for demolition beginning Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Justice says both service plazas will be rebuilt from the ground up. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2024.

Officials plan to add 10 truck parking spaces to the Bluestone Travel Plaza, bringing the total number of truck parking spaces to 79. Thirty-five truck parking spaces will be added to the Beckley facility, bringing the total number of truck parking spaces to 165.

Justice said that the Morton Travel Plaza near Burnwell will remain open until renovations to that facility begin in 2025.

West Virginia will spend $152 million over three years to upgrade the service plazas.

The Morton Travel Plaza near Burnwell will remain open until renovations to that facility begin in 2025.

Justice said that the redeveloped travel plazas will offer expanded food concepts, a 24/7 Mountain State Market convenience store, outdoor dining options, expanded parking for tractor trailers and passenger vehicles, EV charging stations, separated vehicle and tractor trailer fueling options, picnic area, and pet relief areas.

“Each year 3.3 million people, double the population of West Virginia, drive on the WV Turnpike,” Gov. Justice said. “This is our chance to show them Almost Heaven, West Virginia. So we better not screw it up, and now we’re going to have the best facilities that showcase everything that West Virginia has to offer. Because we want all 3.3 million people to walk away with a positive image of our great state. So I am incredibly proud to showcase these new plazas today and I can’t wait to break ground on the project next year.”