The Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly rebuilt rest area along westbound I-90 near the town of Sparta, WI, that features increased truck parking and improve accessibility for all travelers.
[Above photo by Wisconsin DOT]
Originally built in 1969, the Sparta rest area offered insufficient parking for commercial motor vehicles, with only 16 truck parking stalls along with outdated and undersized facilities.
Work on this $12.5 million rest area renewal project – with $8 million of that funding secured via a federal grant – began in August 2024. Now, the rebuilt facility offers 70 truck parking spaces and a staging area for oversized/overweight vehicles. Additionally, new signs along I-90 proactively inform truck drivers of open spots at the Sparta rest area.
[Editor’s note: A recent blog post by the Texas Department of Transportation outlined the many benefits offered by rest areas.]
Wisconsin DOT added that other “modernized” features of the new facility include better lighting, dedicated indoor space for vending options, drinking fountains with water bottle fillers, and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms. It is the first state-owned rest area to include two new family-assisted restrooms with powered, height adjustable adult changing stations, the agency noted.
“I-90 plays a vital role in the movement of freight and passengers across Wisconsin, and this safety rest area welcomes travelers, truck drivers and families with a safe, convenient and accessible place to take a break along their journey,” explained Kristina Boardman, Wisconsin DOT secretary, in a statement. “This safety rest area exemplifies our commitment to building a better transportation system for everyone here in Wisconsin.”
[Editor’s note: Other state departments of transportation are also engaged in rest area refurbishment efforts, especially in terms of expanding truck parking space. For example, the Colorado Department of Transportation recently finished upgrading its Cuerno Verde rest area on I-25.]
Wisconsin DOT added that it is actively rebuilding two other safety rest areas in northeast Wisconsin along I-43 near Denmark and Maribel, which are anticipated to open in summer 2026.
Altogether, Wisconsin has 28 safety rest areas located on the interstate highway system and other major four-lane highways, the agency said.
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