Kaine administration wants to commercialize rest areas
Published: July 16, 2009
Virginia officials are seeking a change in federal law that would allow the private sector to run the state's interstate rest areas.
A spokesman for Gov. Timothy M. Kaine says Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer sent a letter this morning to members of the delegation requesting the change. Gordon Hickey says federal law requires states to run interstate rest areas but some states have obtained waivers or exemptions.
Virginia transportation officials are struggling with a $2.6 billion budget shortfall and plan to close 19 interstate areas to save money.
Yesterday, AAA Mid-Atlantic asked Kaine to rethink the closures.
-- The Associated Press
Reader Reactions
Great idea. Not original, but great. Many neighboring states do this (MD and NJ for example). The facilities are large, clean and full-service (gas, food, gift shops, etc.) and pay the states leases to operate. It’s a win-win for VA taxpayers AND visitors.
I like the idea of using the Governor’s mansion as a Bed & Breakfast. He’s never there anyway…...
Excellent idea. Totally on board to commercialize the rest areas. When the new rest area was being built in New Kent Co a few years ago on I64 going east, I heard a rumor that a fast food restaurant would be a part of it. I was very disappointed that it wasn’t. Definitely need more than vending machines at rest stops.
I also have had the privilege of using rest stops in other states that were commercialized. Travelling the interstates and being able to stop and sit down and eat, rest and shop a little without having to leave the interstate is much safer. To have to search each exit for a place to pull off at places you are unfamiliar with is very scarry, expecially at night.
oneuser.. I agree that we paid for these facilities.. I would only agree to allow this if the vendors were either required to pay for the state maintenance of the “free” ammenities.. or would be required to staff and maintain those facilities. I would also want this to be a sort of lease deal.. I wouldn’t advocate an outright sale. I imagine any waiver we got would require those services to still be provide for free. I imagine the businesses would want to be there to take advantage of the high number of visitors to those stops who would surely be interested in buying gas/food.
mark twain…i wouldn’t be surprised if some folks are already paying big to stay there.
Staying at a 5 star historic hotel : $700
Spending at local attractions and restaurants: $350
Arriving in Richmond with soiled underwear: Priceless
Tim I like this maverick streak in you. Maybe after this you could persuade the president to commercialize the auto and banking industries.
So Governor Kaine the truth now comes out. Fire the state employees and get the state into another service contract that might help the state. Will this privatization give away the land the Rest Areas are on? Will it be as screwed up as the other 2 big contracts that you should be overseeing and are out of control? What do we give up for you to privatize these rest area? On the surface this looks good but knowing this administration there is a problem somewher waiting to bite the citizens of Virginia again.
Wow. Kaine actually is trying to do something right! Closing the rest areas is a safety hazard for truckers and travelers. The state obviously cannot keep them open. Privatizing them is the only option. How on Earth did Captain Imbecile get a good idea? Maybe he ought to just stay in LA.
Maybe….we could then think about making the Governor’s Mansion into a Bed and Breakfast…..could be a money maker…some folks might pay big to stay there.
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