The New York State Thruway Authority has opened up one of the 10 previously closed rest stops that are a part of a $450 million project.
The Indian Castle Service Area opened on Friday in Herkimer County along Interstate 90. Along with dining options, a dog walking area, and a private nursing area, the stop will also feature two level 3 fast electric vehicle chargers at a later date.
Indian Castle is one of three service areas that will reopen in the third quarter. Chittenango and Junius Ponds will open in September.
The $450 million project is being led by Empire State Thruway Partners, an entity led by Ireland-based Applegreen, a company that operates service areas in the U.S., United Kingdom and Ireland. Empire State Thruway Partners was awarded a 33-year contract that includes the reconstruction of 23 of the highway's 27 service areas. Four other rest stops will be upgraded.
The project is paid for with private funds, not Thruway toll revenue. Empire State Thruway Partners will rent the service areas by paying the Thruway Authority 0.84% of the gross sales at the facilities.
Due to delays, the timeline for the project has changed. The causes are supply chain issues and other factors. The first service areas, including Indian Castle, were scheduled to open in the spring. But the projected reopening dates were pushed back to the third quarter.
The Thruway Authority announced that with the Indian Castle Service Area now open, the Oneida Service Area is closed for reconstruction. Fuel services will remain open at the site.
------------------------------
Source: New York State Thruway Authority
