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Rest Areas of the Midwest
2009
Thirteen Statewide Rest Areas to Close Temporarily
Road construction projects, building rehabilitation and site improvement projects will temporarily close 13 rest areas and travel information centers around the state during this and next construction seasons, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said today.
2008
Mn/DOT reopened the Culkin Rest Area on northbound Interstate 35 between Barnum and Duluth in June 2008.
Parking Limit Change for CMV Operators
State law allows commercial motor vehicle operators subject to hours of service regulations under 49 CFR 395, to stop and park continuously, for a period of up to ten hours as necessary to comply with the hours of service regulations, at any Mn/DOT safety rest area or travel information center that has parking stalls designed to accommodate a commercial motor vehicle.
Enterprise rest area on Interstate 90 reopened April 30, 2008 at 3pm. Mn/DOT temporarily closed the rest area for remodeling. The rest area is located on eastbound I- 90, about 10 miles east of St. Charles in Winona County. The work on the $208,000 project included rehabilitation of the restrooms, windows and pedestrian bridge.
Mn/DOT reopened the Stillwater Boomsite Rest Area on April 15, 2007 for the 2007 Travel Season. The Department of Natural Resources accepted maintenance and operations responsibilities on April 15, 2008.
2007
Celebration of Minnesota Welcome Center - Cass Lake Area
By Karen Bedeau
A celebration of the opening of the new Minnesota Welcome Center - Cass Lake Area was held on Friday, April 13, 2007 with US Congressman Jim Oberstar in attendance to help cut the ribbon. This new building replaces the former Cass Lake Rest Area.
Situated on a little more than 15 acres, the 4,575 square foot building cost $1.4 million which came from a combination of State Funds, Federal Appropriations and a National Scenic Byways Grant.
Ten years ago, a group of concerned citizens from the Cass Lake area formed a group which called itself the "MIRACLE Group" - Moving Ideas & Relationships for the Advancement of Cass Lake's Economy. One of their goals was to build a regional visitor center that showcased the area known for its recreational fishing and camping.
Two years later, the MIRACLE Group along with a local steering committee made up of representatives from the Cass Lake Chamber of Commerce, City of Cass Lake, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Pike Bay Township and the US National Forest Service began exploring ways they could more effectively work together to improve their community through tourism. This committee evolved into the Tourism Partnership which moved forward with developing a plan to organize partners and seek funding to build and operate the proposed visitor center.
In cooperation with the Tourism Partnership group, Mn/DOT District 2 staff, worked on plans for a visitor center that would also meet the needs of the traveling public as a wayside rest area and travel information center.
Finally, with the support of US Congressman Oberstar, funding for the center was included in the 2003 Federal Appropriations Bill, with additional funding from a National Scenic Byways grant since the facility is located in part of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway. In 2005, Mn/DOT awarded a contract to the firm of Widseth Smith Nolting & Associates (WSN) to lead the process in design of the building. From that point on, Dan Trickey, District 2 Buildings Supervisor, provided oversight during construction and the building will be maintained by a contract with Greenview Inc.
2006
Documentation of state’s historic waysides earns honors.
An article describing Mn/DOT’s preservation efforts toward these and other historic roadside facilities earned the annual Gephard Award from the Society of Architectural Historians’ Minnesota chapter.
View Online Article
2005
The Minnesota Department of Transportation closed the Culkin rest area facilities on northbound Interstate 35 between Barnum and Duluth on Oct. 18, 2005.
Mn/DOT's Newest Rest Areas and Welcome Centers
- Brainerd Lakes Area Welcome Center
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View News Release
- Park Rapids Area Welcome Center
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View Newsline Article
- Enfield Rest Area
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2004
Rest Area Report to the Legislature (January 30, 2004)
On February 2, 2004, Lt. Gov./ Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau submitted a report to the state Legislature recommending methods to streamline and supplement funding for Mn/DOT’s rest area program.
Changes to State Laws related to Rest Areas (83rd Legislative Session 2003-2004)
Minnesota Session Laws - 2004, Chapter 295, Article 2
Laws relating to transportation; modifying provisions regulating highway safety rest areas and travel information centers; appropriating money; making technical and clarifying changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2002, sections 160.08, subdivision 7; 160.276; 160.277; 160.278; 160.28; 161.23, subdivision 3; 161.433, subdivision 2; 161.434; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 160; and prohibiting commissioner of transportation from taking certain actions at trunk highway or interstate highway rest areas.
Rest Area Report to Legislature
- February 2, 2004
Mn/DOT Issues Rest Area Report to Legislature.
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View Report
- May 13, 2003
Mn/DOT proposes to keep all state rest areas open through June 2004.
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