Wilco-Hess declines to go forward with travel plaza; Love’s submits plans to New Kent

A Wilco-Hess travel plaza originally designated to be the home for 120 parking spaces for trucks, an 8,000 square-foot convenience store, and a 3,400 square-foot fast food restaurant will not be coming anytime soon.

Wilco-Hess has elected not to pursue the travel plaza that was to be located on Route 106 just south of Interstate 64, adjacent to the current Pilot truck stop.

One of the reasons that the travel plaza may not have went forward is due to a change of ownership. Wilco-Hess was purchased by Marathon Oil in 2014.

“Marathon Oil has indicated that they have no plans to move forward at this time,” said county administrator Rodney Hathaway. “They did not give a reason why but just said they weren’t pursuing building at this time.”

In late 2012, the proposed travel plaza’s construction ignited a heated argument amongst parties involved. Supporters favored the idea due to the amount of revenue it would generate for the county. Opponents disagreed, saying the facility would only cause an increase of truck traffic in an area that is already congested.

Over the next several months, supervisors postponed voting on the issue as more information was gathered. In July 2013, the proposal passed 4-1 after six months of debate.

Questions were raised in 2014 by citizens, questioning when construction would begin. Hathaway responded during those meetings that Wilco-Hess was undergoing obtaining permits as well as complying with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) studies of the road. But those talks have turned quiet, with the company electing not to construct the travel plaza.

While Marathon decided not to pursue a new location, a new truck stop may still be coming within the same vicinity.

“Love’s [LLC] recently completed an application for a CUP (Conditional Use Permit) two weeks ago,” said Hathaway. “The application has been submitted and it is now in the review process.”

While there is no timetable for Love’s application to be addressed, it is confirmed that their location would be on the west side of Route 106, south of Interstate 64 and across from Pilot.

“We are looking forward to working with Love’s and see where it goes from here,” concluded Hathaway.