Construction of a new rest area along Interstate 75 in Marion County is seemingly nearing completion, with the facility projected to open in “early 2025.”
The new rest area is located near mile marker 346 on I-75, in between exit 341 (County Road 484) and exit 350 (State Road 200).
“The goal of the project is to reconstruct the facilities and update amenities to better serve the traveling public and meet current standards. Additional parking for passenger vehicles, RVs, and trucks will be established,” reads a statement from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Construction of the rest area began in August 2023. Ocala-News.com first reported about progress on the project in May 2024. In July, Gray Construction Services provided a brief update on the project.
Managed by the FDOT, the project (438562-1) calls for the reconstruction and renovation of the rest area facilities and amenities, as well as the expansion of parking for vehicles and trucks.
As part of the project, the rest area was closed to the public. The facilities have remained closed since the project began and will remain closed until construction and inspections are complete.
This past summer, construction crews began resurfacing the former parking lot, which will be turned into a new lot with separate parking for cars and trucks. Ramps are also being added to the site, according to FDOT.
According to FDOT, the reconstruction of the facility cost approximately $14.5 million, while the overall project budget shows a cost of $31 million.
The contractor listed for the project is Commercial Industrial Corp.