SIDNEY, Ohio – As part of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) statewide re-imagined rest area project, the I-75 north and southbound rest areas in Auglaize County will close on Monday, July 7, for complete replacement.
Construction is set to be completed in the summer of 2026.
The rest areas, which are just north of the State Route 67 exit near Wapakoneta, will be completely renovated with new lodge-style buildings, including larger restrooms with adult changing tables, a lobby area with vending and regional tourism information, and attached and covered outdoor picnic areas. The new design includes landscape upgrades with Ohio native plants.
The project is part of a statewide initiative announced by Gov. Mike DeWine in the spring of 2023 to replace 36 rest areas with new buildings. Additional parking is being added wherever possible. Ohio has 83 rest areas along major highways, not counting those maintained by the Ohio Turnpike Commission.
Once the rest areas close, the nearest facilities for northbound motorists will be in Hancock County, south of Findlay. The closest facilities for southbound travelers are the rest areas near Florence, Ky., off I-71, as the facilities in Butler County, near Monroe, are also scheduled to close in July for replacement.
The facilities in Miami County, south of Piqua, are currently closed, but are scheduled to reopen in the fall of 2025.
