Briefly: Two Ohio rest areas to close; replacement process to take a year -

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) earlier this week annnounvrf it will close the rest areas on U.S. 23 in Wyandot County and U.S. 30 in Van Wert County on Thursday, Jan. 11, for demolition and replacement.

ODOT said work is anticipated to close the rest areas for about one year. The locations will be entirely closed with barricades, including the parking lots.

In Wyandot County, the northbound rest area is located near the Village of Carey (mile marker 20.5), and the southbound one is located near the City of Upper Sandusky (mile marker 17). ODOT said the project in Wyandot County will replace all existing structures and construct additional parking areas.

The Van Wert County rest areas are located on U.S. 30 near the Village of Convoy (mile marker 8.5). The Van Wert project will replace all existing buildings and resurface parking areas.

The new facilities are expected to open in 2025.

The new structures will be a lodge-style design with everything under one roof, including larger restrooms with adult changing tables, a lobby area with vending and regional tourism information, and an attached and covered outdoor picnic area.

ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes said that with the closures of the rest facilities, larger numbers of commercial trucks in the area may park for extended periods along highway entrance and exit ramps.

“We don’t anticipate any issues with the expected increase in trucks parked along ramps, but it is something to be aware of as a passing motorist,” he said.

The nearest open rest areas on U.S. 23 will be those just south of the city of Marion, and on U.S. 30, those to the east in Allen County, near State Route 65, north of the city of Lima.

In May, Governor Mike DeWine announced a plan to update 33 rest areas across 17 locations with all new buildings. Additional parking is also being added where possible. Ohio has 85 rest areas located along major highways, not including those maintained by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission.

Universal Logistics expanding into Roanoke, Virginia

Universal Logistics Holdings recently. announced it’s planning a $50 million investment in a former warehouse near Roanoke, Virginia.

The Warren, Michigan-based company said the expansion will bolster its heavy truck capabilities in servicing truck assembly operations. ULH will refurbish a 254,000-square-foot facility at 1796 Lee Highway off Interstate 81 in Botetourt County north of Roanoke. It’s expected to be operational in 2025.

ULH is a holding company that owns subsidiaries providing transportation and logistics solutions throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Colombia. Among its trucking services are truckload, dedicated, intermodal, and ground expedited.

New Northern Touch truck wash opens

Northern Touch Truck Wash recently opened its newest location in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. Situated at 1637 Pettit Rd., this location serves a key market for truckers travelling along the QEW.

The truck wash is open 24/7 and provides exterior truck washing, exterior trailer washing, trailer washouts and engine washing.

“The launch of our Fort Erie site is a another milestone in our mission to provide exceptional, convenient truck washing services to drivers across Ontario,” said the CEO of Northern Touch Truck Wash. “We understand the challenges truckers face on the road, and our new location is perfectly positioned to offer them the quality and convenience they deserve.”