ITR Concession
Company LLC, the operator of the Indiana Toll Road, is announcing that it’s
entered into concession agreements to build and manage its eight travel
plaza locations across the Toll Road.
The incoming
concessionaires--Sunoco and HMSHost--will offer modern travel facilities
with state-of-the-art technology and new food options, according to a
statement released last week.
“The new plazas
will be a great ‘welcome to Indiana’ as well as providing for the travel
needs of our customers,” said ITRCC CEO Ken Daley. “We are happy to provide
ITR customers with these travel plaza improvements which, along with our
PUSH project, are investments in safety, customer service, and Indiana.”
The $70-million
project includes the demolition and rebuilding of the four pairs of travel
plaza buildings (at eastbound and westbound locations in Portage, Rolling
Prairie, Elkhart and Howe). Sunoco will be the sole operator of the Portage
and Elkhart locations, which will be rebuilt into fuel and convenience
stores. Sunoco will also operate the fuel stations at the Rolling Prairie
and Howe locations, which will be rebuilt into full-service plazas with
HMSHost operating and managing the restaurant facilities.
“We are very
excited to partner with ITRCC and to expand our dining offerings to
travelers on the Indiana Toll Road,” HMSHost Vice President of Business
Development Michael Price said. “We will be delivering many popular dining
brands and upgraded facilities to ensure travelers are feeling good on the
move.”
The new travel
plazas will provide a range of improved services for customers, including
free Wi-Fi, new restaurants with healthy food options, expanded truck
parking, and competitive fuel prices. Sunoco fleet card customers will be
able to take advantage of fuel discounts at all of the new travel plazas,
the statement added.
“Sunoco is thrilled
to be associated with the historic Indiana Toll Road, extending our track
record as the premier fuel and food supplier for America’s toll roads,” said
Bob Owens, president and CEO of Sunoco LP. “At our new facilities, Indiana
drivers, interstate truckers, and cross-country tourists will find an
offering of high-quality fuels, including diesel from high-speed dispensers,
along with state-of-the-art convenience stores serving great food. And all
of this will be available without having to leave the ITR.”
The following
construction schedule is subject to change:
* Phase 1, October
2015: Fremont travel plaza buildings and fuel stations (MP 146) permanently
closed. Demolition began April 2016.
* Phase 2, July
into the fall 2016: Portage (MP 22) travel plazas demolished and rebuilt
into fuel/convenience stores.
* Phase 2a, late
summer 2016 to spring 2017: Howe (MP 126) plazas demolished and rebuilt into
full-service plazas.
* Phase 3, spring
2017 to fall 2017: Rolling Prairie (MP 56) travel plazas demolished and
rebuilt into full-service plazas.
Phase 4:, fall 2017
to spring 2018: Elkhart (MP 90) travel plazas demolished and rebuilt into
fuel/convenience stores.