UPCOMING FULL CLOSURES OF REST AREAS – Weeks of March 17 and March 24, 2025: Short-term closures for clearing and grubbing in advance of full raze and removal beginning April 28, 2025.

• Southbound I-43: Safety Rest Area 51 Maribel CLOSED March 17 to March 21.
• Northbound I-43: Safety Rest Area 52 Denmark CLOSED March 24 to March 28.

This website details proposed reconstruction and improvements scheduled for Safety Rest Area 51 Maribel southbound and Safety Rest Area 52 Denmark northbound along I-43 in Manitowoc County.

• *NEW – IMPROVEMENTS NOW INCLUDE 71 ADDITIONAL SEMI PARKING SPOTS*

Project location
The rest areas are located on I-43 in Manitowoc County, just south of the Brown County line, on both sides of the interstate. The specific location is Section 3, Township 21 North, Range 22 East in the town of Cooperstown, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.

• View Project Location in Map (pdf)

Project purpose and need

The purpose is to preserve the function of the rest area facilities in the safest and most efficient means available, and to support of crash reduction on the interstate system. Rest areas increase safety and efficiency by providing off-road locations for drivers to rest, sleep, change drivers, and check vehicle loads and/or minor mechanical problems.

Project benefits

• Addressing roadway deficiencies, including pavement deterioration, ramp shoulders, and beam guard
• Significantly increasing commercial motor vehicle parking capacity by adding 72 commercial truck parking spaces
• Increasing high mast lighting in commercial motor vehicle parking lot to enhance personal security for truck drivers
• Modernizing the facilities and sites, including restroom facilities, ADA accessibility, and pedestrian access
• Adding an oversize-overweight staging area to support trucks hauling oversized loads.

Improvements

WisDOT proposes a complete replacement of the travel center facilities at both Safety Rest Area 51 and Safety Rest Area 52 on either side of I-43 in Manitowoc County. All work would remain within the existing rest area boundaries. Proposed construction includes:

• Full razing (removal) and construction of new rest area buildings.
• NEW as of OCTOBER 2024: Parking lot improvements include pavement replacement and expansion of the Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) and recreational vehicles lot.
  • Improvements now include additional 71 new semi parking spots.
  • The current pavement at both locations will be expanded into the open areas to create the new semi parking spots.
  • An additional area for staging of area for Oversize Overweight (OSOW) vehicles will be provided.
• Maintenance garages at both locations razed and replaced.
• Reconstruction of ramps and roadways to rest areas.
• Landscaping, sidewalks, walkways, and other site amenities.
• New facilities designed for ADA compliance.
• New family-assisted restrooms
  • These restrooms will include baby and adult changing stations. Project intend to have the family-assisted adult changing station to be sized for full ADA compliance with power lift capability.

Project displays and exhibits are attached below.

• See Rest Area Design Exhibits and Display (4-page pdf)

Schedule

• Construction is anticipated to begin following the 2025 NFL Draft.
• Anticipated date of construction is April 28, 2025.
  • Crews will conduct clearing and grubbing operations March 17 to March 28, 2025.

Traffic and facility use during construction 
The rest areas buildings and other location will require closures during construction.

• Weeks of March 17 and March 24, 2025: Short-term closures for clearing and grubbing in advance of full raze and removal beginning April 28, 2025.
  • Southbound I-43: Safety Rest Area 51 Maribel CLOSED March 17 to March 14.
  • Northbound I-43: Safety Rest Area 52 Denmark CLOSED March 24 to March 28.

• A full closure of entire site will be required to complete construction.
  • FULL CLOSURES OF THE REST AREA FROM APRIL 28, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 2026.
• Some lane closures on I-43 will occur.

Right of way needs
Right of way acquisitions are not anticipated as part of this project.

Public comments
Your comments are important to us to obtain input that will assist the department in the further development and refinement of a final design. We are looking to obtain information on how you use the rest area facilities and any specific comments or concerns you may have about the facilities that will assist the department in finalizing our design. Please email or call WisDOT project managers Joseph Coughlin or Biren Patel with comments or questions. You can also use the below pre-paid mailer and mail to Mr. Coughlin or Mr. Patel. You can also take the online survey with just one click.

• Download project comment form (with pre-paid mailer)
• Tell us what you think via online survey
  • Click here to take I-43 Rest Area survey

A public involvement meeting took place on October 12, 2022.

• View PowerPoint from public meeting (pdf)

Project Contacts

Please feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, comments or feedback you may have.

Joseph Coughlin, P.E., Project Manager
WisDOT – Bureau of Highway Maintenance
Hill Farms State Office Building
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 261-8975
Joseph.Coughlin@dot.wi.gov