FINES CREEK – The lights are back on and the vending machines are fully stocked at the Interstate 40 Westbound rest area in Haywood County.
N.C. Department of Transportation officials announced the reopening of the rest area located about 10 miles before the Tennessee state line.
The rest area had been closed since March 31, 2020, due to statewide financial constraints compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, drivers needing a break waited and drove an additional 15 miles to the Tennessee Welcome Center. The closure allowed NCDOT to focus more of its maintenance resources on safety-related measures.
This location in the Pigeon River Gorge features handicap accommodations, restrooms, picnic benches, and parking for 28 cars, 16 trucks and eight truck-and-trailers.
“We’re delighted to reopen the rest area and provide a valuable service to our residents heading west and our visitors passing through,” Division 14 Roadside Environmental Engineer Keith Blazer said. “We hope that folks quickly realize the facility is back open and add it to their travel plans.”