Work progresses on welcome center

PORT HURON TWP. - A new welcome center for travelers entering the United States at Port Huron likely won't open until the spring.

Diane Cross, a spokeswoman for Michigan Department of Transportation, said in an email the center, off westbound Interstate 94 in Port Huron Township, is more than 50 percent finished.

She said crews will be working on the structure as weather permits — likely during the next month and a half.

Construction started on the $5.5 million welcome center in May.

The welcome center is along westbound Interstate 94 in Port Huron Township, about three-quarters of a mile west of the Water Street overpass.

The 7,200-square-foot facility will include a rest area, tourist information, pamphlets and updates on area construction.

The former welcome center — on Water Street — was knocked down in 2012 for a project that widened I-94 and built two bridges over the Black River.

In the interim, a mobile unit at a Capac rest stop with brochures and tourist information has served as the welcome center.

Marsha Mills, manager of the welcome center in Capac, said the move to Port Huron will be better for drivers and employees.

"It's very convenient for locals as well as traffic off the Blue Water Bridge," Mill said.

"It's also going to be nice to have some more space on the lobby floor. It can get pretty busy here."

The center will be manned from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week, May through October. It will be staffed five days a week during the winter.

Restrooms will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Contact Beth LeBlanc at (810) 989-6259 or eleblanc@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @THBethLeBlanc.