(NEWS CENTER) -- The Maine Turnpike Authority announced that it will close the Gray and Cumberland service plazas for nine weeks beginning next Monday so that renovations can be carried out.
Officials sat Starbucks coffee shops will be removed from both locations and will be replaced by 24-hour, drive-thru Burger King restaurants.Gas pumps and restrooms at both plazas will need to be shut down while the plazas are renovated.
That means that during those nine weeks of renovations there will be no restrooms or gas available on the 77-mile-long stretch of turnpike.For those traveling along the Turnpike the next closest service plazas are in West Gardiner and Kennebunk. Officials say they will both remain open.
The Maine Turnpike Authority says the project is part of a long-term effort to improve the turnpike users' experience, by offering more hot food and the convenience of a drive-thru food service.The $3 million project will be completed in time for the summer tourist season and is currently anticipated to open by Memorial Day.