Kilgore gets new travel plaza with a Wendy's
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Construction at Interstate 20 and State Highway 42 has begun on a new Gateway Travel Plaza.

Travelers and Kilgorites alike are said to be in for a treat. The travel plaza is designed to include a 7,000-square-foot store featuring East Texas oilfield memorabilia and souvenirs as well as convenience items.

The travel plaza will also feature a Wendy's fast-food restaurant with an elaborate dining room featuring carved-wood tables and chairs.

On the other end of the building - pending lease agreement - one will find Bank Texas of Quitman which feature two drive-thru lanes and a new advancement in banking called bank at the pump. Customers will be presented the option of banking while pumping gas at two of the travel center's 16 fueling stations.

Truckers are welcome at Gateway Travel Plaza with 4 high-speed fueling lanes that deliver 30 gallons per minute to two fuel tanks simultaneously.

The Gateway Travel Plaza 10- acre project is slated for completion in August, under Roberts and Hatchet Investments, of Kilgore and KCS & Associates, of Dallas, who are contracted for design, engineer and build duties. Local contractors have been selected for subcontracted work.

Dr. Jerry Ted Roberts and Brian Hatchet, who are partners in Kilgore's Zippy J's locations as well as several Longview convenience stores say they are excited about this addition to their company.

Roberts said the plaza is modeled after one located at I-20 and Hwy. 271.

Another location is slated for construction in Longview when the Kilgore project is complete.