Indy 500-themed welcome center nearing the finish line
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Greatest Spectacle in Racing returns for its 109th running this May. During May, the entire Hoosier state rallies together for the greatest 500 miles in motorsports.
In Vigo County, a special Indy 500-themed welcome center is rounding turn four as it's nearing completion.
'This is kind of a chance to get a look at the greatest spectacle in welcome centers,' said Blake Dollier, Indiana Department of Transportation Public Relations Director for the West Central Office.
Here on I-70 just past the Indiana and Illinois state line, you may not hear the sounds of a V-6 twin turbo engine whipping around a 2.5-mile track, but you can hear the sounds of crews making their final touches on the nearly $53 million Indy 500-themed Clear Creek Welcome Center.
'This is something people are going to drive in Indiana into the crossroads of America and get to experience the many traditions our state has to offer, all quiet literally under one roof. This is something we have been working on for quite some time. It's been a long time, and we are really kind of approaching that finish line and checkered flag of completion on this welcome center,' said Dollier.
Dollier said this isn't just a welcome center but rather a tourist attraction for people driving through the Hoosier state.
'It's Indy 500 themed, telling the history of the state and the greatest spectacle in racing. Again, we like to think of this as the greatest spectacle in welcome centers because you have the Borg Warner trophy out front and different memorabilia from the Indy 500… How exciting, as well, is this for Vigo County and the surrounding area. It's like a mini tourist attraction where you get to experience the month of May and experience the Indy 500,' said Dollier.
He also added that the new renovations to the center will also give more truck drivers spaces for a quick pit stop.
'This is also part of the state of Indiana's plan to increase truck parking. We have 178 truck parking spaces that are going to be available at the Clear Creek Welcome Center. And, with that being said, that's about an increase of almost 80 spaces,' said Dollier.
INDOT said they expect the final laps on this project to be completed sometime this summer.
'We are really proud of the work that has been done on this facility, and we are really excited to continue to be able to showcase that as things get opened up and as things get moving… We just encourage everybody to get your hopes up and come out and see this if you get a chance once things are open. We really, really look forward to it,' said Dollier.
Once the welcome center opens, it will not only feature a replica of the Indy 500 winning trophy, the Borg Warner, but it will also feature a scoring pylon and an IndyCar.
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