DURKEE — For the first time in more than a decade, travelers will be able to fill their gas tank, and buy some snacks, at Durkee, the unincorporated town along Interstate 84 about 23 miles southeast of Baker City.

But not until early 2025.

Work has started on a new gas station and convenience store on the west side of Vandecar Road, just north of the freeway interchange.

It’s the same 2.6-acre property where a gas station and store operated before closing in March 2013.

Raman Malhi of Kennewick, Washington, owns Durkee Travel Place LLC. He bought five parcels, totaling 13.3 acres, along Vandecar Road in 2022 for $350,000, according to Baker County Assessor’s Office records.

Malhi said he expects the new business will open in January or February of 2025.

Existing buildings will be taken down. Malhi said on June 5 that work on the foundations for the new buildings will start next week. He said the business will employ eight to 10 people.

He said he bought the property because there is no gas station or convenience store in the 45 miles between Baker City and Huntington.

Malhi said the business will also include 20 to 25 charging stations for electric vehicles.

The Baker County Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit for the business in September 2023.

The permit requires the owner to install a pedestrian crosswalk on the north side of the intersection of Vandecar and Manning Creek roads.

The owner also has to widen Vandecar Road for the length of the property — 850 feet — to accommodate a center turn lane to the business.

Malhi said he would also like to build a motel, with 40 to 45 units, on the property after the travel plaza is operating.

He noted that freeway closures often leave large numbers of commercial trucks stranded.