Ashland, Ore — It’s been nearly 20 years in the making but phase one of a new rest stop and information center on Interstate 5 south of Ashland has begun.
The I-5 Siskiyou rest area and welcome center just south of exit 14 in Ashland will replace a rest area shut down in the late 90’s due to safety concerns.
Over a decade later work has begun, but not without changes, and controversy. It’s taken some time.
“We’ve been working on this for about 20 years since we closed the old rest stop up at mile point 10 for safety reasons and of course we’ve been jumping through hoops to get to this point,” said ODOT Spokesman Gary Leaming.
Work began this week on a new rest stop and welcome center on Interstate 5 just south of Ashland.
“This will be a significant stop for northbound travelers coming in from California not only to rest as they come over the Siskiyou summit but also to learn about Oregon and the Rogue Valley and Ashland,” said Leaming.
The project was delayed by concerns from the nearby Oak Knoll neighborhood, specifically about safety from large trucks and water usage
“We built restrooms at the port of entry for commercial trucks, so commercial trucks will be banned,” said Leaming.
Even so, the project will continue after being on hiatus since the late 90’s.
“I know not everybody’s real pleased about this but I think this will be a great addition to the Interstate and for Interstate travelers and for tourism coming into oregon.”
Leaming says phase one, clearing and paving of the area will wrap up in 2016.
Phase two, building the welcome center and rest stop will be completed in 2017.
Until then ODOT asks drivers to be extra careful as crews will be working in the area of exit 14.
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