PennDOT to Close Welcome Center on I-95 in Delaware County for Renovation and Expansion Project

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will close the Interstate 95 Welcome Center, located along northbound I-95 in Delaware County just north of the Pennsylvania/Delaware border, for construction beginning 6 a.m. Saturday, May 1. Signs will be posted along I-95 starting Friday, April 16 to advise motorists of the Center’s upcoming closure.

The Welcome Center site and its access ramps will be completely closed to the public for about one year to build a new, expanded facility. Currently there are two buildings: a 1,700 square foot Welcome Center and a 1,622 square foot rest area facility. The project will replace these structures with one 8,500 square foot building. The new facility will have four total restrooms (two men’s and two ladies’) instead of the current total of two. The building also will include an ADA-accessible Family Assisted restroom and additional customer parking spaces.

The current Welcome Center rest area building along I-95 was opened in 1971 and the Welcome Center building was opened in 1990. It served about 133,000 visitors in 2009.

When the Welcome Center closes on May 1, there will be a sign posted along I-95 in Delaware, just before the Pennsylvania border. The ramp from I-95 to the Welcome Center will be blocked with additional signs. An electronic message board will advise motorists that food and fuel are available at the next two exits, which are: Exit 1 for Chichester Avenue, and Exit 2 for Route 452 (Market Street). Restaurants and gas stations are located near these exits.

PennDOT manages 14 Welcome Centers throughout the state, greeting over 3.7 million visitors yearly. All Welcome Centers provide tourism information and maintain rest area facilities, vending machines and picnic areas. Welcome Centers are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, including most holidays. For more information about PennDOT Welcome Centers, visit:
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdoccr.nsf/WelcomeCenterPage?OpenFrameset

PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major highways before heading out.