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TxDOT TO HOLD DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR NEW I-20 SAFETY REST AREAS IN EASTLAND COUNTY
Safety rest areas east of Ranger provide oasis to help reduce driver fatigue
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July 18, 2016
WHAT:
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Official dedication ceremony for the Eastland County Safety Rest Areas
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WHEN:
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11 a.m., Thursday, July 21, 2016
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WHERE:
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Westbound Safety Rest Area, Interstate 20 mile marker 360, at the top of Ranger Hill
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RANGER – The Texas Department of Transportation invites the public to attend the dedication ceremony for theEastland County Safety Rest Areas on I-20, scheduled for 11 a.m. July 21, 2016 at the westbound safety rest area located at the top of Ranger Hill at mile marker 360.
TxDOT staff will be joined by local, county and state elected officials to commemorate the completion of the state-of-the-art safety rest areas. Following a brief program, members of the Ranger Chamber of Commerce will conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The facilities, which cost approximately $17 million to construct, officially opened to the public in late March. In addition to the westbound facility located at mile marker 360 at the top of Ranger Hill, an identical safety rest area is located on eastbound I-20 at mile marker 353.
Each ADA-accessible facility features two sets of men’s and women’s restrooms, a family/assisted restroom, air-conditioned lobby, storm shelter, covered picnic tables, a playground, and separate passenger car and large truck parking. Interpretive displays adorn the lobby areas at each facility, providing an educational journey into the history of the region and surrounding communities. Restored Ford Model T automobiles highlight the indoor exhibits at each facility.
TxDOT operates approximately 80 safety rest areas statewide. These facilities provide an essential place for drivers to take a break from driving, helping to reduce crashes caused by driver fatigue.
This portion of Interstate 20 follows the route of the Bankhead Highway, which was constructed in the 1920's and stretched from Washington, D.C., to San Diego, California. A section of the old Bankhead Highway is located within the westbound safety rest area site, and is marked by a Texas historical marker which was dedicated this past spring.
TxDOT’s Brownwood District includes Brown, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, San Saba and Stephens counties.
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