Attention travelers on northbound I-5 between Centralia and Olympia: The Scatter Creek Rest Area will be off-limits for a stretch in February. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), necessary upgrades to the water system will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, leaving the rest area closed until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28.
The closure means that the approximately 2,284 vehicles that use the facility daily will need to seek alternatives. The refurbishments are aimed at improving the 1969-opened (and 1988-rebuilt) amenity that normally offers not just pit stops for weary travelers, but also picnic areas, visitor information, and an RV wastewater disposal area. The improvements include installation of new well pumps and pipes, new automated water management systems, and repairs inside and outside of the restrooms, WSDOT outlined.
For those who frequent this rest area, there are a few other options, though slightly out of the way. A mere three miles north lies a rest stop near Maytown, equipped with the usual conveniences, sans the RV waste disposal capability. Those requiring that particular service will have to trek a hefty 50 miles north to the SeaTac Rest Area in King County. A slight inconvenience, but a necessity for those long hauls.
WSDOT encourages travelers to keep abreast of the closure and the progress of the works by signing up for email updates regarding state roads in Thurston County. For real-time travel information, WSDOT's app and the statewide travel map are premier go-tos that can help navigate around these temporary obstructions. Plan ahead and consider checking out some new rest stops along the route.
