Chesapeake House
| Chesapeake House | |
|---|---|
 Chesapeake House, viewed at night from southbound car parking | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Rest area |
| Location | Interstate 95 in Maryland |
| Current tenants | AreasUSA |
| Completed | 1975 |
| Owner | Maryland Transportation Authority |
Chesapeake House is a service area located on Interstate 95 in Cecil County, Maryland at mile marker 97. It is located in the median of I-95 and can be accessed by both northbound and southbound traffic.
It is one of the top five busiest rest stops in the United States.[1]
Overview
Chesapeake House opened in 1975. Today, Chesapeake House is run by the AreasUSA Corporation. U.S. Federal law prescribes that rest areas on public (toll-free) interstate highways be maintained by the state, however Maryland was able to obtain an exemption, allowing them to commercialise Chesapeake House and Maryland House.[2] This exemption was granted because the service areas were constructed when the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway was a toll road. Now, Maryland is responsible for the grounds, while the commercial operators absorb the costs of operation. WTOP-FM says that the two commercialized rest-stops bring in $40 million per annum.[3]
Services
Chesapeake House includes several restaurants and a convenience store. Chesapeake House also offers two gas stations, one at each end of the plaza. Tourists to the area used to be able to access a visitor information service; however, the tourist information bureau was closed down, along with 7 others in Maryland, on January 7, 2010.[4]
Reconstruction
Chesapeake House is expected to be closed and fully reconstructed starting around 2014, following the reconstruction of Maryland House, which will begin with its closure on September 15, 2012. Starting in October, Restaurants such as Burger King (Except Pizza Hut Express) and others will be replaced with Dunkin' Donuts, Wendy's, Earl of Sandwich, KFC, Cinnabon, Freshens, and Nathan's Famous until the Maryland House is reconstructed. It will be open as it's reconstructed during the rest of 2013 except during the Winter, and Spring of 2014. The restaurants will be the same once it's completed except Nathan's and Dunkin' Donuts will be on the Maryland House, Cinnabon and Freshens are removed, and Wetzel's Pizza, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and Caribou Coffee will be added. In addition, additional bus parking, free WiFi, and gas and food services will be included.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Dresser, Michael (2009-08-14). "Getting There: Toll authority plods ahead with travel plaza project". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ Fisher, Marc (2009-03-31). "Need to Cut Costs, Virginia? Cut Loose Control of Rest Stops". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ Tuss, Adam (2009-07-22). "Rest stops: budget drags or moneymakers?". WTOP. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ Heid, Markham (2010-01-24). "Easy come, easy go? Md., Va. shuffle highway rest areas". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
{{cite web}}: More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help) - ^ http://www.i95mdtravelplazas.com/mdta-announces-public-private-partnership-to-redevelop-a-operate-i-95-travel-plazas
External links
