Georgia State Patrol post, HERO station coming to I-85 in Suwanee

Gwinnett will build a Georgia State Patrol post and HERO unit station on the site of a former I-85 rest area in Suwanee. (AJC File Photo)

Gwinnett will build a Georgia State Patrol post and HERO unit station on the site of a former I-85 rest area in Suwanee. (AJC File Photo)

Gwinnett commissioners recently approved a $5.22 million contract to build a Georgia State Patrol post and HERO unit station on the 12-acre site of a former I-85 rest area in Suwanee. The project is awarded to Carroll Daniel Construction Co. of Gainesville.

Troopers have been working from leased space on Pleasant Hill Road since 2013. “We’re proud to help build this new facility and glad the state patrol unit will have a permanent home here in Gwinnett County,” said District 1 Commissioner Jace Brooks.

The rest area, just north of Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, closed in 2005 and has been used as a storage area since then. The entrance and exit will be on Old Peachtree Road. Gwinnett made plans in 2017 to pay for the facility’s design and construction.

The Georgia DOT will continue to own the property but will lease it to the Georgia Department of Public Safety in exchange for housing HERO assistance units at the 10,797 square-foot facility.

The new building will house command staff offices, day rooms for troopers and HEROs, classroom space, evidence storage, and a dormitory for 16 troopers. Officials hope to open in spring 2020.