TIFTON – Interstate 75 north and south rest areas in Cook County will close for renovation at 8 a.m. March 27.

Closing rest areas five and six will avoid possible injuries to the motoring public and will allow the contractor to complete work as quickly as possible. Construction is scheduled to be complete by Aug. 24. The rest areas are between I-75 exits 45 and 49.

The buildings will receive repairs to the sewage treatment systems, parking lots, sidewalks and picnic canopies. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems will be replaced, as will roofs and gutters. Panels will be installed to the underside of breezeway trusses to prevent bird nesting. All lighting will be LED.

Improvements to restrooms will include installing occupancy sensors to lighting, replacing toilet fixtures with automatic flush valves and replacing floor tile, counters, mirrors, electric hand dryers and partitions. Walls and ceilings will be repaired and repainted.

The contractor is Quillian Powell Construction Co. Inc. of Valdosta. The budget is $2,214,030. Funding is coming from the Logo signing program and not taxpayer dollars. Eligible businesses pay a participation fee to advertise their services on the bright blue signs posted near interstate exits.