The first new truck stop in the area, the Indian Head Casino’s Plateau Travel Plaza on Cherry Lane and U.S. Highway 26 in the Jefferson County Industrial Park, will soon be open to truckers and motorists.

The plaza features 70 truck spots in a secure lot with showers and laundry facilities and a grab-and-go store.

“It’s a good addition for our community,” said Joe Krenowicz, Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce executive director. “It provides an opportunity for employment certainly for the tribal community.”

An average of 9,600 vehicles every 24 hours travels on U.S. Highway 26 at Cherry Lane, according to Oregon Department of Transportation traffic counts. That’s up 23 percent from an average 7,800 vehicles in 2011.

Casino representatives would not discuss details of the plaza, pending an April 6 grand opening. Krenowicz said that the travel plaza was built on tribal land and paid for by tribal funds. The casino is owned by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, represented by the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute tribes, according to the website.