The Georgia Welcome Center on I-85 near the Georgia/South Carolina border is closed for repairs.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says the facility in Lavonia near Lake Hartwell will reopen September 13.  Signs pointing visitors to the Welcome Center are covered and the entrance is blocked.

Major renovations are underway to replace most major systems in the building.

Georgia DOT District Engineer serving Hart County, Brent Cook, says, "Improvements will be made from the roof to the parking lot and down to the waterlines.  New HVAC, new drywall and painting are all part of the renovations.”

The Welcome Center will also become more environmentally friendly with low-flow, automatic flush valve toilets, LED lighting inside and outside.  The new inside lights will have occupancy sensors so the lights will turn off automatically.

The project will cost $720,000, and the Welcome Center will reopen by September 13 or sooner.  Motorists will not be able to access the Welcome Center drive, parking areas or building while the work is being done.

The 16,640 square foot Welcome Center opened in 1996.