Mercer County I-80 Welcome Center reopens after nearly 20-month closure

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials and tourism leaders are set to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday to mark the completion of renovations at the Interstate 80 welcome center in Mercer County.

The reopening event is scheduled at the welcome center, on I-80 eastbound in West Middlesex, near the Ohio border.

PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty and Carmen J. Aiello II, president of VisitMercerCountyPA, will be present to highlight the upgrades to the facility.

The welcome center closed for renovations in September 2023. The project included connecting the facility to the public water and sewer system, installing new ADA-compliant bathrooms, and replacing the roof. Additionally, a new shed, an air filling station, new tile, and cabinets were installed.

During the closure, travelers were directed to other rest stop facilities on I-80 eastbound in Venango County and on Interstate 79 in Mercer and Crawford counties.