Lauren King
The Virginian-Pilot
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A request by top state officials to privatize rest areas along interstate highways in Virginia got a speedy boost Thursday.
At stake are 19 rest areas in Virginia that will be closed next week to save money.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and State Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer asked Congress for a waiver to a law barring private businesses from operating rest stops.
U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf will support the move. The Virginia congressman will offer an amendment that would suspend the federal law in the transportation spending bill for the 2010 fiscal year, Dan Scandling, a spokesman for Wolf, told the Associated Press Thursday.
"Virginia, like many states across the country, is exploring all opportunities to encourage economic development - to weather the storm as the recession continues, but also to build the foundation for a stronger economic future," Kaine wrote in a letter to U.S. Rep. John W. Oliver of Massachusetts, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation.
"The absence of this option has helped ensure our state's rest areas will soon be left idle."
Sent Thursday, the request came a day after AAA Mid-Atlantic asked Kaine to reconsider the closure of state rest areas.
Federal law specifies that the rest areas must be run by the state, but some states have received waivers or exemptions, said Gordon Hickey, spokesman for Kaine.
The request from the motorist assistance organization cited concerns about driver fatigue and highway safety, The Associated Press reported Wednesday. The organization wants the state to find other ways to trim the budget.
The decision to close the rest stops was made by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, which is cutting $2.6 billion from its budget over the next six years, Hickey said.
"We have to deal with that, and we simply can't keep spending $21 million a year to keep all the rest areas open," Hickey said. "The Commonwealth Transportation Board decided to do it to save money, and the governor supports that decision."
The Virginia Department of Transportation also is laying off more than 1,000 employees because of budget cuts, Hickey said.
"None of these steps are taken lightly, but they are necessary," Hickey said.
Cindy Clayton, (757) 446-2377, cindy.clayton@pilotonline.com
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This is what they do off the Florida turnpike (and I believe New Jersey as well). Stop right off the interstate and get better service without having to venture 5 miles off the highway to find a gas station. You get a full restaurant, gas, snacks 100 yards off the interstate. If you don't want the convenience venture down that country road wondering where that BP was they promised on the interstate sign.
free market capitalistic idea
I like it....all too often i pass by an extravagantly built rest area obviously costing far more than what was necessary. Opening it up to private bids for operation would definitely free up VDOT money, and create jobs across Virginia outside of the government dole. Probably would end up offering more services on site which is where they could make their money without having to charge a fee for a quick pit stop. May also provide better security during those late night pit stops. As little as I use them, i wouldn't have a problem paying osme reasonable fee. Threy could charge a nominal fee to truckers who would want to stopover overnight on a long run. That's what capitalism is all about. Offer services people are willig to pay for like lawn service for the lazy folks not wanting to get out in the heat (perhaps contributing to our nations weight problem?).
The money the state would save could be re-directed to our roads, something our dim-witted governor screwed up on. The state could also make extra revenue on the additinal payroll taxes for the extra jobs. It's win-win in my mind.
Where does the money go?
Sell ALL the land where the rest areas are located and return all the proceeds to state coffers.
NO LEASES!
?
So does this mean motorists will have to pay a toll/fee in order to use a Virginia rest stop? How will these private rest stops make money?