ROCHELLE — Construction on the new Loves Travel Center on the south side of town at the intersection of Interstate 88 and Route 251 has been going on for almost two years, but the wait is almost over as construction crews are putting the finishing touches on before their scheduled completion date approaches.
“We are on schedule with our set finish date of June 14,” said Michelle Pease, city community development director.
The plans to build a new travel center have been in the works since July of 2016, with construction teams officially starting work on the structure in the summer of 2017. Since work began, there has only been one minor delay.
“The Illinois Department of Transportation needed a new signal on the corner of Steward Road and Route 251,” said Pease.

The new travel center will include amenities such as islands of diesel for trucks, gas for regular vehicles, a maintenance area, a Hardee’s Restaurant and truck parking. While the new travel plaza will be a great addition for the community living in the south part of town, the location was ultimately chosen with the traveler in mind.
“The city saw it as an ideal location because of the I-88 interstate access and because the next stop for food and gas to the west is Dixon,” Pease added. “The city is very excited for the new travel center, especially having it in our southern corridor.”