BECKLEY, W.Va. — The West Virginia Parkways Authority is getting close to cutting the ribbon on the new Beckley Travel Plaza along the West Virginia Turnpike.
Parkways Executive Director Jeff Miller said it’s down to the punch list part of the project.
“We are working on the final touches of a grand opening as we speak and we’re going to be making that announcement real soon,” Miller told MetroNews.
The construction of the new Bluestone Travel Plaza is a little behind the one at Beckley.
Demolition of the old travel plaza buildings began in the spring of 2023. Paramount Builders, a St. Albans-based contractor, is being paid $122.8 million to rebuild the facilities. Work is anticipated to begin on the Morton Travel Plaza in Kanawha County next spring. Miller told state lawmakers earlier this fall that will cost another $40 million.
“I’m hoping we can capture some Christmas traffic,” Miller said. “Beckley is right there. The operator is finishing out the restaurants and putting all of their equipment in there.”
Miller said 50 people were hired at a recent job fair.
Work is also underway to stock the Tamarack artists area that will be part of the Beckley plaza.
The Beckley plaza will have several restaurant choices including Wendy’s, Starbucks, Popeyes, a 24-hour convenience-type store along with an outdoor dining options with a permanent food truck-looking structure. Areas USA is the food operator.
Miller said Beckley will also have 50 additional parking spaces for tractor trailers and 16 electric vehicle charging stations.