Caltrans’ Safety Roadside Rest Areas, more commonly referred to as “rest areas,” are a welcome sight to motorists who may be travelling the vast expanse of California’s state highway system. Most travelers have utilized these rest areas at some point, taking advantage of the opportunity to safely stop, stretch, take a nap, use the restroom, get water, check maps, place telephone calls, switch drivers, check vehicles and loads, and exercise their pets. Rest areas also reduce drowsy and distracted driving and provide a safe and convenient alternative to unsafe parking along the roadside.
With rest areas providing such valuable services for motorists, it is important for Caltrans to routinely perform maintenance tasks such as litter removal, pavement striping, electrical work and sewer repairs. Additionally, more significant projects may be necessary to upgrade or replace rest area facilities to address the aging and capacity deficiencies of comfort stations, utilities, and other site elements as these facilities are deteriorating and require constant repairs due to age and the overuse of amenities.
One such project currently under construction is the John “Chuck” Erreca Rest Area Replacement Project located on Interstate 5, approximately 20 miles south of Santa Nella near the Merced/Fresno County Line. With a total estimated cost of $27.9 million, Caltrans District 10 Construction and contractor Walsh Construction Company (Concord, CA) began work in April 2022 to demolish and replace the existing comfort station buildings and increase the capacity of the existing northbound and southbound I-5 facilities.
Upgrades will include reconstruction, expansion, and modernization of the facilities to comply with current ADA, Cal-OSHA requirements, and energy efficient elements as part of the California green building code. Additionally, an on-site wastewater treatment plant is designed to capture and recycle approximately 80% of the wastewater, while special landscape design techniques will be used to help minimize future water use.
As of April 2023, nearly half of this work has been completed to include; 6,500 cubic yards of site grading, construction of nine new buildings, and the majority of concrete paving of the southbound facility.
Remaining work includes; concrete paving of the northbound facility, installation of ultrafiltration water supply system, electronic controls for site operations, and landscaping.
All work is currently scheduled to be complete in September 2023.
With the John C. Erreca Rest Area closed for construction, motorists traveling on I-5 continue to be advised to use the following alternate rest area locations:
• Westley Rest Area - located approximately one mile south of the San Joaquin/Stanislaus County line.
• Coalinga-Avenal Rest Area – located just north of the Fresno/Kings County line.
• Charging stations – ZEV (zero emission vehicle) charging stations at the Westley Rest Area on northbound and southbound I-5.
For more information on the project, please visit https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-10/district-10-current-projects/10-1c790
Caltrans would like to thank tourists, commercial truck drivers, and all Interstate 5 motorists for their patience during construction of this project and look forward to the opening of this greatly improved facility for the traveling public later this year.