Anyone traveling eastbound on I-64 into Indiana will notice a new and improved stop along their journey. On Thursday, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), joined by public officials and contracting partners, hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of the Black River Welcome Center near mile marker 7 in Posey County.
The newly constructed facility draws inspiration from the boyhood home of President Abraham Lincoln and features interactive exhibits that share historical information about the 16th president. Additional exhibits honor Indiana’s own presidential connections, including Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president, and William Henry Harrison, the 9th president. Visitors can also enjoy design elements and displays that showcase the spirit and history of southern Indiana.
The welcome center boasts a range of amenities, including an adult recreation area, a children’s playground, and a dog park. Truck drivers will benefit from a significant increase in semi-truck parking, with 75 spaces now available—an increase of 60 spaces compared to the previous facility. This expansion is part of INDOT’s statewide Rest Area and Welcome Center Improvement Plan, which aims to add more than 1,200 truck parking spaces and nearly double capacity statewide.
The improvement plan includes over $600 million in federal funding to modernize 21 rest areas and welcome centers across Indiana by the end of Fiscal Year 2034. Construction of the Black River Welcome Center began in 2023 under the direction of prime contractor Garmong Construction Services of Terre Haute. The new facility officially opened to the public following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.