Staying with the story
The Springfield News-Sun has followed the development of the Love’s Travel Stop since the company purchased the property last year.
A $7.5 million truck stop planned at Interstate 70 and Ohio 41 is expected to begin construction this spring.
The planned Love’s Travel Stop location is expected to break ground in late May, according to Kealey Dorian, a media specialist for Love’s. It’s expected to open in early 2016, Dorian said.
“It’s going to be a great location for us,” Dorian said. “I-70 is a major route between Indianapolis and Columbus. We’re just really excited about this location.”
The 5.2-acre site at 4725 South Charleston Pike was formerly occupied by the Prime Fuel truck stop, which is expected to be demolished this month, Dorian said. It was purchased by Love’s Travel Stops for $566,000 in 2013.
Building plans were turned into the city of Springfield last week, but it hasn’t received a demolition permit application for the old truck stop, according to the city’s planning and zoning department.
The truck stop will be open 24 hours a day and is expected to bring 60 full- and part-time jobs to the area. It will likely have about 110 truck parking spots and will include a convenience store, and Subway and Wendy’s restaurants, as well as a Love’s Truck Tire Care center that offers mechanical services for truck drivers. It will also have a 90-foot digital pricing sign along I-70.
The company is also doing some studies on road improvements for the area, including widening the turning radius at Ohio 41, Dorian said. The improvements will help truck drivers better navigate the area, she said.
The truck stop will be located near the $8.5 million, 200-acre Prime Ohio II industrial park, which opened last fall. A $500,000 double-sided digital billboard has also been constructed near the interchange to advertise local tourism events.
Clark County commissioners also are negotiating to purchase the Ohio National Guard armory to further develop the Clark County Fairgrounds.
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