POSEY COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the closure of the Black River Welcome Center on eastbound I-64 for reconstruction. This closure will begin on or around Thursday, June 1. A full reconstruction of the Welcome Center is planned and features the following:

• A full demolition and reconstruction of the existing Black River Welcome Center.
  • New welcome center will feature the characteristics of a log cabin, representing President Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home.
  • Interior and exterior exhibits featuring history of the area.
  • Interactive exhibit featuring President Abraham Lincoln.
• Expanding parking capacity with 75 spaces for semi-trucks and 55 spaces for cars.
• Two new restroom facilities for truck drivers, including four individual ADA accessible restrooms per building.
• A children’s playground and adult recreation area that also features a walking trail.
• Dog park for visitors of the welcome center.

Work on the welcome center will begin shortly after closure. The new facility is expected to open in 2025. All work is weather-dependent, and schedules are subject to change.

Construction of a new state-of-the-art facility is part of INDOT’s 10-year plan to improve interstate rest areas and welcome centers statewide. An additional 1,100 semi-truck parking spots are expected to be added during this state-wide improvement project. A total of $600 million dollars in improvements will be made to 21 rest areas and welcome centers in Indiana by the end of fiscal year 2030. More information on the comprehensive plan can be found here.