The Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for two rest areas along I-43 near the towns of Denmark and Maribel in Manitowoc County rebuilt to offer more truck parking and be more accessible for people with disabilities.
[Above photo by Wisconsin DOT]
Originally built in 1980, these two safety rest areas had inadequate parking for commercial motor vehicles with only 20 truck parking spaces along with outdated facilities. The $20.4 million rebuilding of those two locations began in late April 2025, funded in part by a $12.5 million federal grant, and all major construction activities are now complete.
The two rebuilt rest areas now offer 56 truck parking spaces at each location, as well as a staging area for oversized/overweight vehicles. In addition, new signs along I-43 notify truck drivers of open spots at those rest areas as they look ahead on their route through northeast Wisconsin.
[Editor’s note: Other state departments of transportation are making similar investments in different parts of the country, including Florida, Louisiana, and Missouri.]
Wisconsin DOT said it also modernized those two rest area facilities to feature better lighting, dedicated indoor space for vending options, drinking fountains with water bottle fillers and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms – joining a growing list state-owned facilities in Wisconsin to include two new family-assisted restrooms with powered, height adjustable adult changing stations.
In the coming years, the agency said it plans to rebuild two rest areas along I-41 near the towns of Theresa and Lomira in Dodge County. Altogether, the Wisconsin DOT operates 28 rest areas statewide, open year-round, located on the interstate highway system and other major four-lane highways.
“Wisconsin’s safety rest areas are more than places to take a break – they’re an important part of a safe, reliable transportation system,” explained Kristina Boardman, Wisconsin DOT secretary, in a statement. “With these two new facilities, we’re continuing to build a network of modern, accessible rest areas that better serve everyone who travels our highways. Whether you’re a commercial driver or a family on vacation, every traveler deserves safe, welcoming places to stop, rest and recharge.”
“Safety is the cornerstone of the trucking industry, and we applaud the work of the Wisconsin DOT to modernize these two rest areas,” added Dan Johnson, president of the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association. “Access to safe, accessible and well-maintained parking is essential to driver well-being, regulatory compliance, and highway safety. This investment is especially important for eastern and northeastern Wisconsin, where trucking is critical to supporting manufacturers, farmers, and businesses across the region.”
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