Manitowoc County Rest Stops Set for Major Upgrade with $12.5M Federal Funding

MANITOWOC, Wis. (Civic Media) — Two Interstate 43 rest areas in Manitowoc County are set for major upgrades, funded by a $12.5 million federal grant announced Monday.

The project will completely replace Rest Area 51 Maribel and Rest Area 52 Denmark along I-43. Plans include new comfort buildings, maintenance garages, and expanded parking lots for both cars and trucks.

A key feature of the renovation is the significant increase in truck parking capacity, adding 72 new stalls across both locations. Currently in the design phase, construction is slated to begin in spring 2025.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of the investments, stating, “With this latest round of awards, dozens of major and much-needed projects are getting the long-awaited investments they need to move forward.”

The rest area improvements are part of a larger $4.2 billion funding package for 44 infrastructure projects nationwide.

A statement says the funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, providing money through what’s called the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program.