The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced this week that its rest area between Mile Markers 307 and 308 on southbound Interstate 75 (I-75) in Sumter County reopened August 11 after being reconstructed with modern amenities and nearly double the car, truck and RV parking spaces.
The new rest area has 110 parking spaces for cars and 64 spaces for trucks/RVs, including handicapped parking in both areas. This additional parking serves a critical need for freight traffic that is essential to Florida’s growth and economy.
The new design features upgraded lighting and safety improvements, a dog-walk area, and “green” technology including touchless handwashing stations and a sensory controlled energy system. The LEED-certified building was designed and built using green building and energy efficiency best practices.
New features include:
Safety improvements including LED lighting for nighttime hours.
“Smart Park” system that uses technology to communicate available truck parking to truck drivers using changeable message boards.
Technology including sinks that use less water, require less maintenance, and feature touchless washing for water, soap, and drying.
Eight picnic pavilions.
A fenced dog-walk area.
Expanded wastewater treatment facility that serves the new rest area and the nearby northbound I-75 rest area.
Rest areas are open and maintained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for travelers’ comfort and convenience.
The FDOT recommends taking a break every couple of hours or every 100 miles. Rest areas are available along interstate highways and are a reliable option for motorists needing to stop for a while. In addition to this new rest area, I-75 has 16 others that drivers can use. Avoid drowsy driving by taking a break at any of the rest areas. Truck drivers are permitted to use the rest area for up to 10 hours. Overnight camping is not permitted for RVs or cars, but visitors may stay up to three hours.
Another rest area overhaul is on the horizon. Work is scheduled to begin later this month on the northbound I-75 rest area located between County Road (C.R.) 484 and State Road (S.R.) 200 in Marion County. Facilities will be upgraded and parking for cars, trucks, and RVs will be expanded. That rest area will be closed to the public while upgrades are made with completion expected by late 2024.
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