Gee Creek Rest Area on I-5 closed this week

Drivers who need a break while traveling south on Interstate 5 will have more amenities this fall at the Gee Creek Rest Area south of Ridgefield.

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s contractor, Tapani Inc., will begin upgrading the rest area this week.

The rest area will be closed this week, from 6 a.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Friday, so the contractor can cut down some trees in preparation for upcoming improvements.

“These improvements will benefit folks who visit the Gee Creek Rest Area for years to come,” WSDOT Capital Facilities Project Manager Sam Leiren said. “With this $2.2 million project, we’re adding a second RV dump station and additional RV parking, which will help reduce congestion in the rest area.”

Other work includes adding lighting and a sidewalk, and improving pavement.

During construction, additional closures may be needed, along with a temporary shutdown of the existing RV dump station.

The rest area is one of the busiest in the state, with approximately 800,000 annual visitors, a figure calculated by the number of toilet flushes.