TxDOT to close rest area on I-10 near FM 365

(Beaumont, TX) - From TxDOT - An Interstate 10 Jefferson County landmark is about to be a thing of the past. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says it will soon close the I-10 picnic area near FM 365. The department expects to close the facility in mid-June as part of a cost saving effort.

"We are reassessing our picnic and safety rest areas throughout the Chambers, Jefferson and Orange County I-10 corridor," said Randy Redmond, Beaumont District Engineer.  "As Southeast Texas grows, TxDOT wants to place the limited transportation resources in the most useful and practical locations."

In mid-June, workers will permanently close the east and westbound picnic areas to motorists. TxDOT says that with the construction of a new Safety Rest Area in Chambers County, and the growth of truck stops and other businesses, older picnic and rest areas are not as needed as they once were.

The I-10 picnic area in Jefferson County was built in the mid-1950's as part of the interstate construction project. Once closed, the area will become a temporary inspection center operated by Jefferson County. Eventually, TxDOT will construct a permanent and larger inspection center in Chambers County just east of Hankamer near FM 1724.