Iowa parking-only rest area to close until April 2025

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) issued a reminder that a rest area primarily used by commercial vehicle drivers is scheduled to close for the winter.

On Monday, November 18, Iowa DOT will close the undeveloped rest area at milepost 51 on southbound Interstate 35 in Warren County.

The rest area closure will last until late April 2025.

“The rest area is used mostly by commercial motor carriers. Because the ramp from the rest area to I-35 is on an incline, large vehicles often have trouble getting traction to merge onto I-35 during winter weather, causing a dangerous situation on the roadway,” officials said.

The rest area closure is set to begin at 9 a.m. on November 19, but Iowa DOT recommends that drivers check  www.511ia.org for any change to that schedule.