As part of a statewide initiative to significantly boost truck parking in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Transportation Tuesday announced it will convert the existing Medina County north and southbound I-71 rest areas into a new truck parking facility.
The rest area will close on March 2 to begin demolition on the current site.
"There are additional rest areas within 30 miles of this location and upgrading these rest areas would have required a significant investment,” said ODOT District 3 Deputy Director Bob Weaver. “Converting them to truck parking will help to improve safety for all motorists along the I-71 corridor.”
The project includes expanding from 10 to 29 truck parking spaces at the I-71 northbound location and from 20 to 66 truck parking spaces at the I-71 southbound location.
In addition to parking spaces, the site will include lighting and a restroom facility. In total the project will cost about $6.8 million.
On average, about 3,000 trucks pass the I-71 rest areas in Medina County each day.
In 2024, Governor Mike DeWine directed ODOT to address the lack of truck parking in the state and to begin construction of additional truck parking sites as soon as possible. Following an extensive review of ODOT property, Ohio will add at least 1,400 new truck parking spaces at 33 sites across the state.
ODOT estimates freight volume will increase 26% by 2045. Ohio is a trucking hub due to the state’s location within a day’s drive of 60% of the U.S. and Canadian population and reliable and vast highway network.
For further information and construction schedule, visit the project website.
