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CALERA – Construction will begin for Shelby County’s first and only QuikTrip gas station by the end of 2020.

The Oklahoma-based corporation purchased 15 acres of land in Calera, but will build the 8,200-square-foot gas station on 7 acres near Exit 231 on U.S. 31 at Interstate 65 along Shelby County 84, said Michael Burk, a QuikTrip real estate project manager. New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church is also in the area.

Burk said the company doesn’t currently have any plans for the remaining land. The gas station is expected to open by the end of 2021.

The city of Calera is in the final stages of reviewing site plans for the project, said city engineer Chris Pappas. Once the review is complete, the site plans will need to be approved by the Calera City Council before construction can begin.

Calera Mayor Jon Graham said the service station will be a great addition to the city. QuikTrip service stations typically offer gasoline and diesel fuel, grab-and-go food options and include QT Kitchens where food is made fresh to order.

Burk said Calera was chosen to be the home of the county’s only QuikTrip because if its proximity to I-65 and because of the area’s rapid growth.

The Calera location is a part of QuikTrip’s plan to open a handful of gas stations in Central Alabama. The company recently announced that a store will also be built in Tuscaloosa. There are 825 QuikTrip stores nationwide.