Public meeting scheduled for Highland County rest areas

The Ohio Department of Transportation – District 9 has scheduled a public meeting to discuss the department’s proposal to close four rest areas in Highland County.

ODOT currently maintains roadside rest areas on U.S. Route 50 at Dodsonville and Hillsboro, as well as two facilities on U.S. Route 62, one located just north of Hillsboro and the other located approximately two miles north of the Highland-Brown County line.

As part of ODOT District 9’s facility maintenance program, these rest areas are being addressed to determine their purpose, need and sustainability.

“While the rest areas once served a much-useful purpose for motorists, today’s travelers are using alternative means of services or seeking more modern facilities,” said District 9 Deputy Director Vaughn Wilson.

“Given their present condition, age and the costs to upgrade to meet state and federal guidelines, the department wishes to dispose of these facilities and proceed with the appropriate steps to close them.”

Deemed primitive rest areas, the existing facilities consist of non-flush privies, and they are in very limited and restricted use. Along with deferred maintenance, the restrooms pose health and safety risks, and the facility located on U.S. 62 South in Concord Township, between S.R. 321 and
the Highland-Brown County line, has no water or viable restroom facilities.

ODOT officials will conduct a meeting to address the closure of these facilities on Monday, April 23, at the Hi-Tec Center, located at 1575 North High Street in Hillsboro beginning at 5:30 p.m. The general public is invited to attend and provide comments about this initiative.