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
Agreed, and to think it was first proposed right here in the RTD comments forum! Not by me, mind you, it was someone else, but I’m definitely on board too.
This option is a win-win solution if the contract is well designed. The rest areas stay open, giving drivers safe places to rest on long trips. Tax money will be generated from food sales, etc to help VDOT’s budget. Jobs will be saved/created.
Earlier this year I stopped at one of these areas in Florida. It was a bustling area where we were able to use the rest room, buy drinks, and get headache medication for someone in the group. We could have purchased food also if we needed a meal - not just vending machine items. Courteous employees in a clean, customer friendly environment.
Hope Virginia gets the waiver and this plan moves to fruition.
We should ask for a Moe’s or Quizzno’s.
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